Places for People has launched its Major Works 2027 Framework, creating opportunities for contractors delivering planned improvements to existing housing. Covering everything from window replacements and kitchen installations to electrical rewires and heating upgrades, the four-year framework has an estimated value of approximately £162.8 million including VAT.
The procurement is divided into 33 lots across 11 geographical regions, allowing contractors to compete for work that matches their location and specialism. Up to three suppliers may be appointed to each lot. With tenders due by 18 November 2026 at midday, businesses experienced in housing refurbishment and planned maintenance should now be considering which opportunities best suit their capabilities.
Places for People Major Works 2027: key information
Places for People Group Limited is establishing the framework to support planned investment across its housing portfolio between April 2027 and March 2031. The principal procurement details are:
- Framework: Major Works 2027
- Contracting authority: Places for People
- Notice reference: 2026/S 000-094970
- Estimated value: £162,803,519 including VAT
- Framework period: 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2031
- Number of lots: 33 across 11 regions
- Maximum appointments: Three contractors per lot
- Enquiry deadline: 11 November 2026, midday
- Tender submission deadline: 18 November 2026, midday
- Estimated award decision: 18 January 2027
The framework is intended to support the replacement, renewal, installation and repair of important housing components, alongside associated surveys, testing and remedial works. Interested suppliers can review the official Major Works 2027 tender notice and access the competition through Delta eSourcing.
What work does the Major Works framework cover?
The procurement is organised around three principal workstreams, each available across the framework's geographical regions. This structure is particularly relevant to specialist contractors. A business concentrating on heating installations, for example, can identify the relevant regional heating lots without having to compete for unrelated kitchen or window replacement programmes.
Workstream A: Windows, external doors and roofline
These lots cover the planned replacement, renewal and repair of external building components. The scope includes windows, external entrance doors, glazing, ironmongery, fascias, soffits, gutters and rainwater goods. Associated activities may include surveys, removal and disposal of existing components, installation, testing, certification and making good.
This creates opportunities for window and door installers, roofing-related contractors and businesses providing specialist external building improvements. Suppliers should consider how they will demonstrate installation quality, compliance, reliable programming and the ability to coordinate works across multiple properties.
Workstream B: Internal components
The internal components lots principally cover kitchens, bathrooms and electrical rewires. Works may include removing existing installations, supplying and fitting replacement components, plumbing, electrical installations, finishes and associated testing. The notice also refers specifically to resident liaison, reflecting the importance of coordinating improvement works with people living in the properties.
Where Places for People has nominated supply arrangements, contractors may be required to order from the nominated supplier and coordinate subsequent delivery and installation. Businesses bidding for these lots should therefore consider their experience of working in occupied homes, managing multiple trades and maintaining effective communication with residents.
Workstream C: Boilers and heating
The third workstream covers planned boiler and heating replacement, renewal and associated installation works. Its scope includes surveys, removal of existing equipment, boilers, heating emitters, pipework, controls, flushing, commissioning and certification. Associated works may also be required to complete installations safely and to the necessary standards.
This category is relevant to heating contractors with experience of residential replacement programmes, particularly those able to coordinate installation appointments, manage compliance requirements and deliver consistent workmanship across multiple properties.
Understanding the 33 regional lots
The framework combines its three workstreams with 11 geographical areas, creating 33 lots in total. Each region contains an A lot for windows, doors and roofline works, a B lot for internal components and a C lot for boilers and heating.
Region |
Geographical area |
Available lots |
|---|---|---|
1 |
Edinburgh |
1A, 1B, 1C |
2 |
Newcastle |
2A, 2B, 2C |
3 |
Leeds |
3A, 3B, 3C |
4 |
Sheffield / Doncaster |
4A, 4B, 4C |
5 |
Blackpool |
5A, 5B, 5C |
6 |
Preston / Manchester |
6A, 6B, 6C |
7 |
Derby / Nottingham |
7A, 7B, 7C |
8 |
Huntingdonshire |
8A, 8B, 8C |
9 |
Bristol |
9A, 9B, 9C |
10 |
Southampton / Brighton |
10A, 10B, 10C |
11 |
London |
11A, 11B, 11C |
For example, a contractor specialising in kitchen and bathroom replacements around Leeds might consider Lot 3B, while a heating installation business covering Bristol could investigate Lot 9C. The geographical divisions also create opportunities for contractors operating across several neighbouring regions.
However, suppliers should assess their ability to resource and manage the proposed work before applying for multiple lots. The scope, estimated expenditure and programme requirements vary between regions.
Who should consider bidding?
The framework is identified as particularly suitable for SMEs, making it relevant to both specialist regional contractors and larger businesses delivering planned housing investment programmes. Potential applicants include window and door installation companies, kitchen and bathroom refurbishment specialists, electrical contractors, heating engineers and multidisciplinary maintenance providers.
A contractor doesn't necessarily need to deliver every type of improvement covered by the framework. The lot structure allows businesses to focus on workstreams matching their specialisms. However, relevant experience and operational capacity will be important considerations.
Housing improvement programmes often involve coordinating works across occupied properties, where delays or poor communication can directly affect residents. Businesses should therefore consider how they can demonstrate effective project planning, qualified installation teams, reliable subcontractors and appropriate quality assurance arrangements. Relevant experience might include programmes delivered for housing associations, local authorities or other residential property owners.
How will suppliers be evaluated?
The published tender notice establishes an evaluation model combining commercial competitiveness with delivery capability. The principal weightings are:
- Commercial submission: 45%
- Management approach and structure: 15%
- Experience: 10%
- Workforce and subcontractors: 8%
- Health and safety: 7%
- Use of technology: 5%
- Environmental, social and governance considerations: 5%
- Social value: 5%
With 55% of the marks allocated to non-price criteria, contractors will need to demonstrate that their proposed delivery arrangements are credible, properly resourced and suited to Places for People's requirements.
The management approach and experience categories are particularly important. Suppliers should explain how they will organise projects, coordinate operatives, manage programmes and maintain quality throughout the works.
The technology weighting also gives businesses an opportunity to demonstrate how digital systems might support scheduling, progress monitoring, reporting or communication. These practical examples should be tailored to the detailed tender questions rather than treated as a substitute for the published scoring guidance.
What should housing contractors focus on in their responses?
The workstream descriptions highlight several issues that contractors should address when preparing their evidence.
- Working in occupied properties: Explain how residents will be informed about appointments, access requirements, disruption and completion times. Relevant examples of successful resident liaison can help demonstrate experience.
- Programme management: Show how multiple installations or refurbishment activities can be planned efficiently, including labour allocation, material availability and arrangements for unexpected delays.
- Quality and compliance: Provide evidence of installation standards, inspections, testing, certification and defect management appropriate to the workstream.
- Workforce and subcontractor coordination: Demonstrate that suitably qualified personnel will be available and explain how subcontractors will be managed where applicable.
- Environmental and social value commitments: Develop realistic proposals relevant to the work, supported by clear arrangements for implementation and monitoring.
Contractors should select examples that closely match the geographical and technical scope of their chosen lots. Thornton & Lowe's bid writing services can help construction businesses organise their evidence and develop responses that address the buyer's evaluation criteria.
How will the framework operate?
The framework will allow Places for People to appoint up to three contractors to each lot. Prices will be established through region-specific and lot-specific pricing schedules submitted during the tender. Tendered prices will remain fixed for the first 12 months, with subsequent adjustments governed by the framework's contractual provisions.
Where activities aren't covered by a specific tendered rate, the applicable National Housing Federation rates may be used, subject to the contractor's tendered percentage adjustment. Individual contracts may be awarded through direct award arrangements, including reference to the original framework ranking, or through a competitive award procedure. Being appointed to the framework therefore doesn't guarantee a particular quantity or value of work. Suppliers should review the pricing schedules and call-off arrangements carefully before submitting their tenders.
How to apply for the Major Works 2027 framework
The procurement is being managed through Delta eSourcing. Businesses can access the tender and respond through Delta, where the detailed procurement documents and submission requirements are available. 11 November 2026 at midday is the enquiry deadline and 18 November 2026 at midday is the final tender submission deadline.
Contractors should use the remaining preparation time to confirm their chosen lots, review the specifications and pricing schedules, gather relevant project evidence and check that all required supporting documents are complete. Where multiple regional lots are being pursued, allow sufficient time to ensure each response accurately reflects the geographical coverage and delivery resources proposed.
How Thornton & Lowe can support housing contractors
The Places for People Major Works 2027 Framework offers regional construction and maintenance businesses a route to compete for planned housing improvement programmes. With places limited to three contractors per lot, applicants will need to demonstrate their capabilities convincingly, including their experience of managing refurbishment programmes and delivering work in residential environments.
Thornton & Lowe supports construction and property maintenance businesses with tender preparation, quality responses and bid and tender management, helping suppliers present their experience effectively and meet demanding procurement requirements.
If you're planning to bid for Places for People Major Works 2027, contact Thornton & Lowe to discuss how we can support your tender.
