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Construction tenders UK: where to find open bids by type of work

Updated

Short answer: construction tenders UK firms can bid for come from councils and other public bodies, utilities and private developers, and each buyer publishes in its own place. The quickest way to see them together is one search. DealAtlas lists 2510 live opportunities, and our construction and infrastructure hub is the starting point for open construction bids. Each preview shows what is being bought, the value band, the region where one is listed and the closing window.

This guide splits construction contracts UK buyers advertise into four types of work and shows a live example of each. If you work mainly for local authorities, read our guide on where councils publish their tenders.

Create your free DealAtlas account to start filtering construction work.

Construction tenders UK: what counts as a public works contract?

A public construction contract is any works contract a public body puts out to suppliers. Most public bodies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland follow the Procurement Act 2023, which came into force on 24 February 2025. The government's guidance on the Act explains the rules buyers work to.

Works contracts above £5,193,000 fall under the full rules of the Act. Smaller jobs still get advertised, and they are often a better fit for SMEs.

You'll need to register on the government's central digital platform before you bid, so find the right opportunity on DealAtlas first.

Building and refurbishment

This covers new buildings, extensions, refurbishment and housing schemes. Housing and regeneration work often comes as long programmes, so the value band is high and the closing date may not be fixed when the notice first appears.

Example from the live list:

  • A housing and regeneration programme for a public body. Value band: £10m+. Region: London. Contract term: 2 to 3 years. Closing date not yet fixed.

See the current housing and regeneration construction deals.

Sign up to DealAtlas to see which building schemes are open now.

Civil engineering and infrastructure tenders UK buyers advertise

Civil engineering and infrastructure tenders usually combine construction work with design, engineering or inspection services. Utilities often buy this work through frameworks that run for several years.

Examples from the live list:

  • Construction works with engineering and inspection services for a public body. Value band: £1m to £5m. Region: London. Closes in December.
  • An engineering, inspection and installation framework for a utility. Value band: £10m+. Region: North East England. Closes in November.

See the current civil engineering and infrastructure deals.

Join DealAtlas to filter infrastructure work by value band.

Repair and maintenance

Repair and maintenance contracts keep existing buildings and assets in use. Values tend to be lower than new-build work, and many run for a fixed term, which suits smaller contractors.

Examples from the live list:

  • Construction and repair works for a public body. Value band: £50k to £100k. Region: North East England. Closes in November.
  • Repair and maintenance services with inspection work for a public body. Value band: £250k to £500k. Coverage: nationwide. Closes in November.

See the current repair and maintenance construction deals.

Create your free account and shortlist repair work you can deliver.

M&E and installation

Mechanical and electrical (M&E) and installation work often sits inside a wider construction contract. Look for notices that list installation services, electrical equipment or energy works alongside construction.

Examples from the live list:

  • Construction works with installation services for a public body. Value band: £25k to £50k. Region: East of England. Closes in November.
  • Energy-related construction works for a public body. Value band: £1m to £5m. Region: Wales. Closes in November.

See the current installation deals and electrical and energy construction deals.

Get started on DealAtlas to find M&E work in your value band.

Why DealAtlas is the place to find construction work

Construction buyers publish in many places, and each one has its own layout and search. DealAtlas puts them into one list with the same filters for category, value band, closing date and region. You can check every type of work above in a few minutes instead of working through each source in turn. The free preview shows what is being bought, the value band, the closing window and the region where one is listed. Browse the construction and infrastructure category page for an overview of the sector.

When you've picked a tender to bid for, read our guide to writing a council bid that scores well.

FAQ

Where can I find construction tenders in the UK?

Construction tenders are published by many different buyers. DealAtlas collects them into one search, where you can filter open construction bids by category, value band, closing date and region.

What types of construction work do public buyers tender?

Public buyers tender building and refurbishment, housing and regeneration, civil engineering and infrastructure, repair and maintenance, and M&E and installation work. Many notices combine more than one of these.

Are there construction contracts small firms can bid for?

Yes. DealAtlas lists open construction deals in value bands under £100k as well as large programmes. Filter by value band to see the contracts that match your size.

How long do I have to respond to a construction tender?

It varies. Many open construction deals on DealAtlas close within 30 days, and some large programmes show the closing date as not yet fixed. Sort by closing date to see what needs action first.

Do I need to register anywhere before bidding?

You'll need to register on the government's central digital platform before you bid, so find the right opportunity on DealAtlas first.

Construction tenders by UK region

You can also see all open construction deals.

Find your next construction contract

DealAtlas lists 2510 live opportunities in one search. Lifetime deal: £250 one-time (VAT included). Limited places. Start from the construction hub or create your free DealAtlas account to start building your shortlist.