Guides

Straight answers on bidding for public contracts

For housing repair contractors and care providers bidding to councils, housing associations and care commissioners. Each guide answers one question, with sources, and uses our own analysis of public award data where it adds something.

• How much does a bid writer cost in the UK?

  UK bid writers charge about £300 to £750 a day. Consultancies quote £2,000 to £8,000 to write one tender and £400 to £950 to review one. Published 2026 prices compared.

  ClearBid Research · Updated October 2026

• How do you win housing association repairs contracts?

  Repairs tenders from councils and housing associations drew a median of 6 bids, and 65% of winners filed small or micro company accounts. What 12 months of award data says about where to bid.

  ClearBid Research · Updated October 2026

• How are tenders scored, and what does a 5 out of 5 answer look like?

  Public buyers mark each quality answer against published criteria, often on a 0 to 5 scale, then weight it. A 5 needs evidence that meets every requirement.

  ClearBid Research · Updated October 2026

How our figures are worked out: methodology.