More than £1 billion-worth of major construction contracts are currently at tender stage and expected to be awarded imminently, according to Glenigan’s construction industry analysis. Spread across multiple building sectors and regions, the 10 largest schemes present a substantial pipeline of work for contractors, consultants, and digital construction specialists as the industry moves into 2026.
From large-scale office developments and education facilities to residential, hotel, and industrial projects, the data highlights where opportunities are concentrated and where digital construction capabilities such as BIM, digital procurement, and data-led project management will be critical.
Office sector leads major construction tenders
The office sector accounts for the largest share of value among the top 10 projects at tender stage, with three schemes worth a combined £353 million.
The largest is the £140 million Colloco Development in Manchester (Project ID: 20319725). Developed by Henry Boot and St John Manchester, the project is currently in contract negotiations, according to Glenigan’s market analysis. Construction is scheduled to commence in February, making it one of the earliest awards in the pipeline.
In South London, a £113 million office and commercial development in Mitcham (Project ID: 25457004) is out to tender. Ranked fourth overall among major projects at tender stage, the scheme is expected to begin construction in May.
Significant office investment is also evident in Scotland. A £100 million office scheme in Livingston (Project ID: 25451758) ranks seventh in the top 10. Bids are currently being prepared, with construction anticipated to start in July.
Education construction projects exceed £250 million
Education represents the second-largest sector by value, with two major schemes together exceeding £250 million.
The £138 million Whitegates Park project in Kirkintilloch, near Glasgow (Project ID: 22078421), will deliver a new school as part of phase three of the Scottish Learning Estate Investment Programme (Project ID: 23261649). Tenders are due to be returned by the end of April, with construction scheduled to start before the end of the year.
Meanwhile, contractors are bidding for the proposed £118 million Social Sciences building at the University of Warwick (Project ID: 23063822). Work on the higher education facility is expected to commence during the summer, reinforcing the strength of the education construction pipeline across the UK.
Residential construction tenders span social and private housing
Residential projects account for three of the top 10 construction jobs at tender stage, with a combined value approaching £250 million.
Two schemes fall within the social and student housing sectors. The largest is a student accommodation project for the University of Bath (Project ID: 25495063). Tenders are due for return on February 2, with construction planned to begin in April.
Clarion Housing’s £80 million Blenheim Centre Penge development (Project ID: 22329842) will deliver 228 flats in Bromley, South London. Construction is expected to start in October, following the tender process.
In the private residential sector, tenders have been returned for a £67 million development of 318 flats in Ealing, West London (Project ID: 22192923). The appointed contractor is expected to break ground in April.
Hotel and industrial projects add sector diversity
Beyond offices, education, and housing, accommodation and industrial schemes further diversify the tender-stage pipeline.
An £80 million hotel development at Waterloo in central London (Project ID: 16240091) is currently out to tender, with bids due back on February 24. Construction is expected to start in April.
The industrial sector also presents a significant opportunity. The £100 million Capitol Industrial Park in Colindale, North London (Project ID: 17133454), could commence as early as February, with bids due later this month. The scheme underlines sustained demand for logistics and industrial space within the capital.
Outlook for digital construction and contractors
With many of these major construction projects due to be awarded within weeks, the tender-stage pipeline suggests a strong start to 2026. According to Glenigan’s construction industry analysis, the breadth of sectors and regional spread provides resilience and opportunity across the supply chain.
For the digital construction sector, these schemes will demand robust BIM implementation, digital cost management, and data-driven delivery to manage scale, complexity, and programme certainty.
As contracts are awarded, this £1 billion tender pipeline indicates sustained construction activity, reinforcing the importance of digital construction capability in delivering complex UK projects efficiently.
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