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Contractor and consultant questions answered
Q: How many buyers will have access to my record?
A: Approximately 8,000 buyers have access to Constructionline from 1,700 organisations. Only registered buyers have access to the database via specifically allocated user names and passwords. For a full list of registered buyer please click here.
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Q: One of my clients has written to me and asked me to join Constructionline. If I don’t register with Constructionline does this mean I won’t get any more work from this buyer?
A: By law buyers are not allowed to exclude companies from tendering for work if they are not Constructionline registered, however, it may improve your chances of being considered for the contract if you are Constructionline accredited.
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Q: Does being registered on Constructionline guarantee me work?
A: Constructionline’s primary objective is to reduce duplication for everyone involved in the tender process and to reduce the amount of paperwork you face at the pre-qualification stage. We do not guarantee that you will win contracts as a result of your membership but, by having your details available to over 8,000 buyers, Constructionline does act as a marketing tool for your business. In addition, Constructionline is widely recognised within the industry and it may prove advantageous if you can show you have met our accreditation status.
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Q: What should I do if a buyer requests information that is already held on my Constructionline record?
A: Constructionline buyers should not be requesting information that we already collect and they sign terms and conditions to this effect when they register. We have set up an Anti-Duplication helpline where you can call anonymously and let us know which buyers are doing this. We will contact the buyers directly and ask them to remove the duplicate questions from their PQQ questionnaires. The number to call is 0844 892 0316.
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Q: Why do some buyers still have PQQ forms?
A: Constructionline holds standard PQQ information which saves you having to fill that part in over and over again, but in some cases buyers will need to request project specific information in order to draw up a shortlist. This may include information on specific licenses required for one particular project only, specific examples of experience you may have etc. If you notice buyers requesting information you know is held on your Constructionline record please call our anonymous anti-duplication helpline on 0844 892 0316.
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Q: I haven’t won any work as a result of my Constructionline membership. What can I do about this?
A: Constructionline’s primary aim is to reduce duplication and does not guarantee contractors and consultants work with our buyers. However, there are a number of things you can do to increase the hits to your record. You could increase your notations value by providing us with new references for larger contracts you may have carried out since joining Constructionline. This will mean that you will appear on searches for a wider range of contract values. You can also review your areas of operation and work categories you originally registered for as this may also increase your chances of appearing on more buyer searches.
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Q: How do I see the information Constructionline holds on my record?
A: To see the information we hold on your own record go to www.constructionline.co.uk and click on the Log In button in the top right hand corner. Enter your user name and password and select the Reports tab. Select the Main Details button, scroll down to the bottom of the window and click on Print Report. Select the sections you require by clicking in their respective boxes. Click on the Print Report button or save the report to your desktop.
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Q: How can I see which buyers have viewed my details?
A: To see which buyers have hit on your record go to www.constructionline.co.uk and click on the Log In button in the top right hand corner. Enter your user name and password. Select the Reports tab and the report you require. Enter the Date From and Date To dates and select Run Report. Either print the report or save it to your desktop.
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Q: How many suppliers are registered?
A: Approximately 14,000 suppliers have already registered with Constructionline and over 93% of these suppliers renew their membership each year.
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Q: I am a small contractor. Will buyers be interested in my company if I register?
A: More and more buyers are looking for small, local contractors to employ because they are keen to re-invest in their local communities. In some cases they ask us if we can provide them with details on more local companies because they cannot find any. The Constructionline system itself enables buyers to put in fairly complex search criteria so they are able to specify what size of company they would prefer to use. Therefore, if you are a small company it would be a great asset to join Constructionline and already, over 50% of our contractors are suppliers with a turnover of less than £1 million pounds and 29% have a turnover of less than £250,000.
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Q: How much does it cost to register with Constructionline?
A: Constructionline is free to procurers. Suppliers pay an annual fee based on their turnover. Fees start at £90 plus VAT and you can register for an unlimited number of work categories and work locations.
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Q: Why does Constructionline need to charge fees?
A: Sir Michael Latham’s report Constructing the Team recommended that the service be self-funding in order to give it the financial resources to develop and grow into a single register.
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Q: Who owns Constructionline?
A: Constructionline is owned by the Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (formerly the DTI). Capita, one of the UK’s leading business process companies runs Constructionline under a concession that was awarded in open competition.
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Buyer questions answered
Q: How many suppliers are registered on Constructionline?
A: Approximately 14,000 suppliers have already registered with Constructionline and over 93% of these suppliers renew their membership each year.
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Q: How many of these 14,000 suppliers are small contractors?
A: Over 50% of contractors registered are suppliers with a turnover of less than £1 million pounds and 29% have a turnover of less than £250,000.
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Q: Do I need to ask suppliers for any of the information already held on Constructionline?
A: No! The primary purpose of Constructionline is to reduce the amount of duplication in the pre-qualification process, not just for suppliers who have to repeatedly complete the same questionnaires, but also for yourselves who have to collect and assess this information over and over again. Constructionline is a central source where you can check all standard PQQ information without any hassle.
When you register with Constructionline you sign a brief set of terms and conditions agreeing to remove all duplication from your PQQ documents. In some cases you may need to request project specific information not held on Constructionline but you should not request duplicate data.
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Q: How often do you update the information held on registered suppliers?
A: The information on Constructionline is continually being updated on the anniversary of its expiry date. Unlike self-certification services the database is maintained by our experienced registrations team and we write out to our suppliers as and when their information is due to expire. If a supplier fails to provide us with up to date information, after a series of reminders, they will be put onto consult status and this will be visible to you as you search the database.
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Q: Can I get more passwords for my colleagues and can you provide training for them?
A: Yes, we can provide new passwords and group or individual training sessions. You should make sure your colleagues in your department are adhering to the T&C’s you have signed. Click here to contact your local Client Relationship Manager (CRM) to find out more.
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Q: Can any department in my organisation use Constructionline?
A: Absolutely. Any department that has a genuine requirement for Constructionline can register. They would have to register as a separate account so would need to sign the terms and conditions, but access would still be free and we would also carry out training and provide on going support.
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Q: Can you tell me how many suppliers on my existing supplier list are registered?
A: Yes we can. If you email your list of suppliers to your CRM they will run a check against our database of registered suppliers and let you know how many are registered.
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Q: How would you get my existing supplier list registered on Constructionline?
A: Once we have identified those suppliers that are not registered we will contact each organisation, explain you are now using Constructionline and to suggest they should consider registering. Enclosed with the letters will be an application pack explaining to the supplier how Constructionline works, the benefits and an application form. With your agreement we would be happy to carry out follow up campaigns to help more suppliers register.
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Q: What help is offered to suppliers during the registration process?
A: The initial registration process can be quite time consuming so we have a telephone service where we will complete the application forms for the supplier over the phone. This way suppliers do not need to type in the answers themselves and just have to post in the relevant attachments such as insurance certificates and a copy of their accounts. We also have a supplier helpline available between 8:30 – 5:00 where we can help suppliers with any queries.
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Q: Can you tell my suppliers they must register with Constructionline?
A: No. By law as buyers you are not allowed to exclude companies from tendering for work if they are not Constructionline registered. However, by asking for their Constructionline registration number on your PQQ documents and removing the need for them to complete those duplicate questions, you can identify those that are registered and simply check their details online.
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Q: How can I identify my own suppliers on Constructionline?
A: You can set up your own supplier list on Constructionline that can be easily accessed each time you log in. This list can be shared with other Constructionline buyers if you wish and we will send you alerts if any suppliers on your list are placed on consult status, suspended or no longer registered on Constructionline.
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Q: How much does it cost to register with Constructionline?
A: As a buyer it is completely free of charge for you to use Constructionline.
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Q: Does Constructionline charge suppliers to join?
A: Sir Michael Latham’s report, Constructing the Team, recommended that the service be self-funding in order to give it the financial resources to develop and grow into a single register. Our registration fees start from just £90+VAT per year and this allows suppliers to register for an unlimited number of work sectors and geographical locations.
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Q: Can I offer to pay for my suppliers to register?
A: Yes, you can pay the registration fee on behalf of your supplier. This is something you should discuss with your Client Relationship Manager when the visit. To find your local CRM and to arrange a meeting please click here.
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Q: Who owns Constructionline?
A: Constructionline is owned by the Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (formerly the DTI). Capita runs Constructionline under a concession that was awarded in open competition.
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Q: How many buyers already use Constructionline?
A: There are currently over 8,000 buyers from 1,700 organisations across the UK using Constructionline, these include central government departments, local authorities, NHS trusts, housing associations, universities, colleges and main contractors.
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