ConstructionLine – Areas of Operation

The Areas of Operation section in Constructionline asks you to confirm where you are prepared to work and the minimum contract value you would accept in each area.

You can define your areas in one of three ways:

• Postcode areas (using the first 1–2 letters, e.g. TR, PL, EX)
• Counties
• Regions

You can use one or a mix of these, depending on how your business operates.

How Small Contractors Should Approach This

If you’re a small contractor with one main office or base, it’s usually best to set this up in a tiered way:

• Local area (closest to your base)
  Set a low minimum contract value for work close to home.
  This reflects reduced travel time, lower costs, and easier site management.
• Surrounding areas
  As you move further away, increase the minimum contract value to ensure the work is commercially viable once travel, accommodation, and management time are considered.
• Further afield / regional work
  For work a significant distance away, set a higher minimum contract value so you’re only tendering for projects that are worth the additional overhead.

Example Setup

A small contractor based in Cornwall might use something like:

• TR postcode – Minimum contract value: £1,000
• PL postcode – Minimum contract value: £5,000
• Devon – Minimum contract value: £10,000
• South West Region – Minimum contract value: £25,000+

This approach shows buyers that:

• You’re realistic about the work you can take on
• You understand your operating costs
• You won’t waste their time pricing unsuitable projects

Key Tip

Don’t be tempted to list everywhere with a very low minimum value.
Constructionline buyers use this information to filter contractors, and setting it correctly helps ensure you’re invited to the right tenders, not just more tenders.