Councils seek local contractors for housing repairs and maintenance
South Hams District Council and West Devon Borough Council are inviting local businesses and tradespeople to register their interest in carrying out future repair, maintenance and compliance work on council-owned residential properties.
The councils are undertaking preliminary market engagement to identify suitably qualified and experienced contractors who could provide quotations for work across occupied and empty properties.
They are particularly keen to hear from small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) and local contractors, including plumbers and heating engineers, Gas Safe registered engineers, electricians, uPVC door and window repair specialists, builders and general property maintenance businesses.
Potential work includes gas safety checks and servicing, electrical installation condition reports, air source heat pump servicing, underfloor heating maintenance and mechanical ventilation filter replacement.
Repair and maintenance requirements could range from plumbing problems, heating and hot water failures, electrical faults and emergency repairs to routine maintenance and work needed to bring empty properties up to the councils’ required lettable standard.
Contractors can express an interest in one or more areas and are not expected to provide every trade or service listed. The councils anticipate that most work will involve individual, lower-value jobs commissioned as requirements arise.
Businesses will need to demonstrate relevant qualifications and experience, appropriate professional accreditation, public liability insurance and compliance with health and safety requirements. Experience of working in occupied and vacant residential properties will also be relevant, alongside the ability to respond within timescales appropriate to the work.
Contractors interested in putting their business forward should email Ollie Rees at [email protected]. Enquiries will be passed to the relevant council department.
The engagement deadline is 30 November 2026. The estimated contract period is from 1 November 2026 to 1 November 2027.
The councils stress that this is an early market engagement exercise only and does not constitute a formal tender, invitation to tender or request for quotation. It is intended to help them understand the local contractor market and identify businesses that may be able to support future housing maintenance work.