Livv Housing Group is preparing a four-year responsive repairs and maintenance framework for its housing stock in Knowsley, the wider Liverpool City Region and a smaller number of properties elsewhere in the North West. The proposed arrangement is valued at approximately £28 million including VAT and is expected to cover 19 separate trades and specialist work areas.
The opportunity is currently at the preliminary market engagement stage. Livv is using a supplier questionnaire to test market capability and capacity before the formal tender is published.
What the responsive repairs framework may cover
Livv manages around 13,000 homes. The proposed lot structure is designed to give contractors the option to bid for the trades that match their workforce, qualifications and geographic coverage. The published notice lists the following areas:
- joinery, roofing, brickwork, structural works and general building;
- damp proofing, plastering, painting, decorating and flooring;
- drainage, plumbing, gas and electrical services;
- windows, doors, glazing, fencing and flagging;
- insurance repairs and infestation or environmental work; and
- specialist solar electrical work, air source heat pumps and solid fuel systems.
The final number of appointed contractors will depend on market interest and the quality of tender submissions. Suppliers may therefore need to decide whether to pursue one specialist lot or several related lots supported by shared management and mobilisation arrangements.
Who is the opportunity suited to?
This framework is likely to be most relevant to regional contractors and specialist trades with experience in occupied social housing. Larger facilities management providers may also be interested, but the lot structure gives smaller contractors a credible route to participate where they can demonstrate the required capacity and controls.
Suppliers should consider more than technical competence. Responsive repairs contracts depend on appointment handling, resident communication, safeguarding, right-first-time performance, operative availability and reliable management information. A strong tender will need to show how these elements work together in day-to-day delivery.
Contractors that are newer to framework bidding can also use our construction frameworks guide to understand framework appointment and the route to later call-off work.
What to address during market engagement
Livv’s questionnaire asks suppliers to identify the lots they are best placed to deliver and to explain their capability and capacity. Useful feedback should be specific. For example, bidders could comment on realistic mobilisation periods, geographic coverage, out-of-hours provision, subcontracting, pricing models and the information needed to forecast demand.
The supplier engagement deadline is 24 July 2026, with the formal tender notice expected shortly afterwards. Taking part is optional and does not affect eligibility to bid, but it can help suppliers understand the emerging requirement and identify any barriers before the specification is finalised.
Quick facts
- Contracting authority: Livv Housing Group
- Estimated value: £28 million including VAT
- Expected term: Four years
- Proposed structure: 19 trade and specialist lots
- Housing stock: Approximately 13,000 homes
- Engagement deadline: 24 July 2026
- Expected tender notice: 31 July 2026
Preparing for the tender
Start by reviewing each proposed lot against your current workforce, accreditations, supply chain and geographic response times. Avoid selecting lots solely because they appear commercially attractive. Livv will need confidence that appointed contractors can maintain service standards throughout the contract.
Relevant evidence may include responsive repair volumes, emergency response, resident satisfaction, complaint resolution, first-time fix rates, safeguarding, no-access management, appointment performance and carbon reduction in fleet or materials. Case studies should show your own contribution rather than relying on broad contract descriptions.
Thornton & Lowe can help contractors assess the opportunity, select suitable lots and prepare a focused tender response.
