How to get small council jobs that aren't advertised
Most council jobs under £30,000 go out as quotes to firms the council already knows. Here's how sole traders and small firms get onto those lists and get asked to quote.
Last checked 16 October 2026. This is general guidance, not legal advice. Each council sets its own buying rules.
Why you won't find these jobs on tender sites
Under the Procurement Act 2023, a council only has to put an opportunity on the government's Find a Tender service if it advertises a contract worth £30,000 or more (including VAT). Below that, there's no legal duty to advertise at all.
Instead, each council follows its own rules, usually called contract standing orders. A typical set says that for small purchases an officer just needs to show value for money, and for jobs from about £5,000 up to £50,000 they must get written quotes from at least three businesses. Those businesses are usually ones the council already knows, so being known is half the battle.
1. Register on your council's tender portal
Most councils use an online portal for quotes and smaller tenders, and many share one across a region. For example, over 40 South West councils use Supplying the South West, North West councils use The Chest, and Yorkshire councils use YORtender. Wales uses Sell2Wales and Scotland uses Public Contracts Scotland, which also handles Quick Quotes.
Registration is free. Choose the categories that match your work carefully, because that's how officers find suppliers to invite, and switch on email alerts.
2. Get on their supplier lists
Search your council's website for "selling to the council" or "procurement". Many keep approved supplier or quotation lists, and some ask you to fill in a short form. Do the same for nearby councils, schools, housing associations, NHS trusts and universities, which all buy small jobs too.
3. Have your paperwork ready
Before an officer invites you to quote, they'll often check the basics: public liability and employer's liability insurance, a health and safety policy, relevant trade registrations (such as Gas Safe or NICEIC), and references from recent jobs. Many councils and housing associations also prefer firms with a health and safety accreditation such as CHAS or SafeContractor, or that are on Constructionline. Keep everything in date, because an expired insurance certificate can get a quote thrown out.
4. Introduce yourself
A short, polite email to the procurement team goes a long way. Say what you do, where you work, the accreditations and insurance you hold, and ask to be considered when they next need quotes for your kind of work. Keep it to a few lines and attach nothing unless they ask.
5. Find out what they already buy
Councils in England publish details of contracts over £5,000 and spending over £500 under the Local Government Transparency Code. Their contract registers show what they buy, who from and when contracts end, so you know when to get in touch. Award notices for contracts over £30,000 on Find a Tender show the same for bigger jobs.
6. Quote quickly and ask for feedback
Quote requests often give only a few days. Reply on time, answer exactly what's asked, and if you don't win, ask what would have made the difference. The Procurement Act also lets councils reserve contracts below the threshold for local or UK suppliers, which can favour firms on their doorstep.
Small council jobs is part of TendersNearMe's Starter, Professional and Business plans. It covers your local councils and the portals they use, a ready-to-quote checklist with expiry reminders, the local buyers that award the most small contracts for your trade, and ready-written introductions.