Movement in tender prices in Scotland 

Scottish tender prices rise in early 2026

Building tender prices in Scotland increased by an average of 0.85% in 1Q2026 compared with the previous quarter, and by 3.1% year-on-year, according to the latest meeting of the BCIS Scottish Tender Price Assessment (TPA) Panel.

The panel, which comprises cost consultants from firms involved in multiple construction tenders across Scotland, helps track pricing trends in accepted tenders.

It reports on quarterly and annual movements in tender prices and provides insight into the conditions influencing pricing levels on construction projects in Scotland.

Appetite to tender

Contractor appetite to tender was largely unchanged in 1Q2026 compared with the previous quarter.

83% of panel respondents said they secured their desired number of suitable tenderers after searching in the first quarter, up from 60% in 4Q2025.

The panel noted that tier one contractors remain busy in the energy sector, particularly on wind farm projects, while the north of Scotland is experiencing significant civil engineering activity.

Smaller contractors working on projects valued between £5 million and £10 million are reportedly seeking work.

The panel said contractors continue to prefer two-stage tendering, echoing findings from the latest BCIS Scottish Contractors Panel, although single-stage tendering is still considered under certain circumstances.

Pipeline

Optimism around the project pipeline increased slightly in 1Q2026, although local authority planning activity has been affected by the delayed UK and Scottish Autumn Budgets.

The panel said the Scottish Futures Trust pipeline is expected to be published shortly and is anticipated to provide greater clarity on future workloads across both small and large projects.

Half of survey respondents said their pipeline of projects going to tender in the next 12 months was unchanged compared with the previous 12 months. One-third said it had increased slightly while 17% said it had reduced slightly.

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Panel members:

• Gordon Ritchie, Gardiner & Theobald
• Iain McLean, Doig+Smith
• Jamie MacDonald, AECOM
• Jordan Smith, Thomas & Adamson
• Paul Dodd, Scottish Futures Trust
• Richard Phillips, AECOM
• Ross Lovatt, Thomson Gray
• Simon Brooke, Currie & Brown

BCIS Scottish Tender Price Assessment panel – methodology.