Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Clear answers about construction marketing, SEO, LinkedIn, and tender visibility. Can't find what you're looking for? Book a free 15-minute audit.

General

How long does construction marketing take to show results?

LinkedIn activity often shows engagement within 4–6 weeks, while SEO typically delivers measurable ranking movement in 3–6 months. Full pipeline impact is usually visible within 6–9 months. Google Ads can generate qualified enquiries within days of launch. Contractors who deploy all three channels together consistently see the fastest pipeline growth.

What makes construction marketing different from general B2B marketing?

Construction marketing targets specifiers, procurement teams, and project managers with long sales cycles and strict compliance requirements. It needs technical credibility, proof assets, and tender-focused search intent — not brand awareness campaigns. A generalist marketer targets the wrong keywords, writes copy that doesn't resonate with procurement directors, and misses the informal digital due diligence steps procurement teams run before issuing tender invitations.

Do you only work with construction companies?

Yes. We focus on UK construction and the built environment so our messaging, content, and targeting align with how procurement and specifiers evaluate suppliers. Construction-only focus means faster results with less calibration time — we don't need to learn your industry, we already know it.

How much does construction marketing cost?

Construction marketing typically costs £2,000–£4,000 per month for specialist agencies. One £50k contract pays for 12–25 months of marketing. See our Pricing Philosophy for the full breakdown.

Can you help us win more tenders?

Yes. Our SEO and LinkedIn strategies are designed to increase your visibility to procurement teams before tenders are published, improving your PQQ success rate and framework positioning. Most clients see pipeline impact within the first quarter when we deploy all channels together.

Which sectors do you work with?

Civil engineering, M&E contractors, groundworks, structural steel, commercial fit-out, demolition, cladding & envelope, architecture, piling, concrete repair, and sustainability & retrofit. If you're a specialist subcontractor wanting framework visibility, we're the right fit.

Can I start construction marketing with a small budget?

Yes — Google Ads for niche construction services can generate results from £500–£1,000/month in ad spend. A focused LinkedIn strategy can be deployed before broader SEO investment. Starting with one channel and scaling is better than waiting for the perfect budget. Book a free audit and we'll advise on the right entry point for your specific situation.

SEO & Website

What is construction SEO?

Construction SEO is search engine optimisation built specifically for contractors — targeting the keywords procurement directors, main contractors, and framework managers actually use when searching for specialist subcontractors and supply chain partners. It includes technical site optimisation, sector-specific content targeting tender-intent queries, and location pages for the regions you operate in.

What keywords should a construction company target?

High-value targets include sector-specific queries ("civil engineering contractor [region]", "M&E contractor for NHS frameworks"), tender-intent searches ("CDM principal contractor", "groundworks subcontractor"), and compliance searches ("ICRA compliant contractor", "HTM contractor [city]"). Generic terms like "construction company" have high competition and low conversion rates. Specificity wins in construction SEO — procurement visitors who find you through specific searches convert at higher rates than general traffic.

How long does construction SEO take to work?

Initial ranking movements for lower-competition terms are typically visible within 8–12 weeks. More competitive terms take 3–6 months. Traffic and enquiry volume build consistently over 6–12 months as content and authority compounds. Unlike paid advertising, SEO continues generating enquiries after the initial investment — making it the highest long-term ROI channel for most contractors.

What does a good construction company website need?

A procurement-ready website needs: fast load time (under 3 seconds, Core Web Vitals compliant), full mobile optimisation, clear sector experience with named projects and values, ISO and accreditation evidence prominently displayed, case studies with real project outcomes and values, and clear calls to action for enquiries. Generic "about us" content doesn't convert procurement visitors — sector-specific capability statements with evidenced experience do.

LinkedIn & Lead Generation

Does LinkedIn work for getting construction leads?

Yes — LinkedIn is the single most effective channel for reaching procurement directors, framework managers, and main contractors who aren't yet actively searching for you. Direct outreach builds relationships and creates pipeline opportunities before formal tender processes begin. Content publishing establishes technical authority that accelerates shortlisting when procurement teams do their informal checks.

What should a construction company post on LinkedIn?

Project completions with specific values and outcomes (with client permission), insights on procurement trends and framework changes, case studies demonstrating sector expertise, commentary on relevant regulations (CDM, HTM, Building Safety Act), and team and capability updates. Content that demonstrates technical credibility to procurement decision-makers consistently outperforms general company news and awards announcements.

How do we connect with procurement managers on LinkedIn?

Search for procurement directors, framework managers, and estates managers at your target clients by company and job title. Connect with a brief, relevant message referencing specific shared context — their projects, their framework involvements, or a recent industry development. Follow up with value, not a sales pitch. Consistent, non-pushy outreach over 4–8 weeks typically generates 15–25% acceptance rates with procurement decision-makers in construction.

What budget do we need for Google Ads for a construction company?

For meaningful campaign data and consistent lead volume, most construction Google Ads campaigns start from £1,500 per month in ad spend. Niche services with tight geographic targeting can work from £500–£800/month. The key metric is cost per qualified lead, not cost per click. TopVolt Electrical generated 10 qualified leads from £250 in their first month — niche targeting in the right geography can produce exceptional early results.

Framework & Public Sector

How do we get onto NHS or council approved contractor lists?

Getting onto NHS or local authority approved lists requires the right certifications (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, Constructionline Gold or CHAS), strong digital evidence of relevant project experience, and a website that passes informal procurement due diligence. We build the digital evidence base that supports your applications and improves shortlisting rates once you're approved. See our dedicated pages for NHS Framework Marketing and Local Authority Framework Marketing.

What is ProCure23 and how do contractors apply?

ProCure23 (P23) is the NHS's principal construction framework for projects over £2m, managed by NHS England and NHS Shared Business Services. It has fixed application windows (typically every 4–5 years) and requires detailed capability evidence, financial standing checks, and healthcare sector experience documentation. Contractors need a fully evidenced digital profile before applications open — informal NHS procurement due diligence happens well before formal evaluation.

What is a DPS and how does it work for contractors?

A Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) is an open framework that contractors can join at any time — unlike closed frameworks with fixed windows. Once approved, you can bid on individual call-off contracts without reapplying. Major DPS systems for construction include Crown Commercial Service and regional buying consortia. Getting approved is the baseline; getting shortlisted from the DPS for individual contracts requires a strong digital profile and procurement-ready case studies.

How important is social value for winning public sector contracts?

Increasingly critical, particularly for local authority work. Under PPN 06/20, councils can weight social value at up to 10–20% of the total evaluation score. Contractors who can document local employment, apprenticeships, supply chain spend in the local area, and community engagement programmes win against technically comparable competitors who cannot. Digital marketing helps you make this evidence visible and easily assessable to procurement teams during informal vetting.

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