What Is A Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) In Construction?

Updated May 2025

In construction procurement, one term you’ll frequently encounter is PQQ.  But what is a PQQ, and why is it a critical document for contractors and suppliers in the construction sector? 

A PQQ is short for pre-qualification questionnaire. It’s a vital document in both public and private sector procurement, designed to assess the suitability of potential contractors or suppliers before the client (or project owner) invites them to tender for a project. Whilst it may sound like another form to fill in, a well-prepared PQQ can be the difference between being shortlisted or being ruled out early in the process for a construction project. 

When a client is confident that the PQQ answers align with its needs, it will create a shortlist of suppliers and enter the project’s next phase. The PQQ is designed to save time and resources when qualifying suitable candidates by addressing the most relevant questions, but what is a PQQ tender specifically?

Related Reading: Sourcing Suppliers: Advantages of Prequalification Tendering

What Is The Purpose Of A PQQ In Construction?

A pre-qualification questionnaire is used in the procurement stage when a client is identifying suitable contractors or suppliers, helping them determine who meets the requirements of a specific contract. 

Related Reading: What Is A Subcontract in Construction?

For Clients

For project owners, this screening process prevents the time and cost of evaluating full tenders from unsuitable or non-compliant bidders.

Imagine you’re a large construction firm preparing to subcontract out specialist work. Before you consider cost, innovation, or delivery timelines, you want to be sure that any subcontractor:

• Has the right experience
• Is financially stable
• Meets health and safety standards
• Is compliant with regulations
• Can manage risk effectively.
  

The PQQ helps you assess these areas upfront.

For Contractors And Suppliers

For contractors and suppliers, the PQQ stage is an opportunity to showcase capabilities, provide assurance, and earn the right to proceed to the next phase: the Invitation to Tender (ITT). It’s also a chance to build trust and credibility with potential clients by demonstrating attention to detail, transparency, and a strong track record.

Veriforce CHAS Tip: Having a robust risk management process can improve your chances of being shortlisted for a contract, and the PPQ provides opportunities to describe these details. Be sure to highlight your risk management protocols to gain an edge against competitors.

Related Reading: What Are The Principles Of Risk Management In The Public Sector?

What Is The Difference Between PQQ And ITT?

The PQQ stage comes first, allowing clients to filter out unsuitable suppliers early. Those who score well at the PQQ stage are invited to submit a full proposal through the Invitation to Tender (ITT). This is where pricing, delivery methodology, innovation, and value for money come into play.

In other words:

• The PQQ focuses on capability, compliance, and credibility
• The ITT focuses on how you’ll deliver and at what cost
  

By splitting the process, both clients and suppliers save time and effort. Clients can avoid evaluating tenders from companies that don’t meet the baseline criteria, whilst contractors/suppliers can save time from vying for work they are unlikely to win.

What Information Is Included In A PQQ?

While the specific format of a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire can vary by organisation or sector, most PQQs in construction cover a similar range of topics. Here are the key sections you’re likely to encounter:

1. Company Information

This section asks for basic details about your business, such as:

• Your legal name
• Structure
• Registration number
• Trading address
• Contact information
• VAT number.

2. Financial Standing

Clients want to know that your business is financially secure and capable of fulfilling the contract. You may be asked for:

• Annual turnover figures
• Profit and loss statements
• Balance sheets
• Insurance cover (e.g. public liability, professional indemnity)
• Details of any ongoing or past insolvencies.

3. Technical and Professional Capability

This is where suppliers demonstrate relevant experience and technical know-how. Expect to include:

• Case studies of previous projects
• References from clients
• Details of accreditations or industry memberships
• Staff qualifications and training

4. Health and Safety

Workplace health and safety is critical in construction, and clients want to be confident that suppliers operate responsibly. A PQQ might ask for:

• Health and safety policy statements
• Records of incidents or RIDDOR reports
• Evidence of a competent safety advisor
• Risk assessment processes.
  

Being a certified Veriforce CHAS member can help streamline this part of the questionnaire, as you’ll have already demonstrated your compliance with standard health and safety regulations (at the very least). 

5. Quality Assurance

Clients may ask for details about your quality control systems to ensure consistent standards in their supply chain. This information may include:

• ISO 9001 certification
• Internal quality processes
• Customer satisfaction monitoring.

6. Environmental Management

More and more clients now require proof of sustainable practices. You may need to show:

• ISO 14001 certification
• Environmental policy statements
• Waste management procedures.

7. Equality and Diversity

To support fair and inclusive working environments, the PQQ often covers:

• Equal opportunities policies
• Staff training on diversity and inclusion
• Monitoring procedures.

8. Compliance and Governance

clients must ensure their suppliers operate ethically and within the law. You’ll often be asked about:

• Anti-bribery and corruption policies
• Modern slavery statements
• Data protection procedures (especially under GDPR).

How Are PQQs Scored?

PQQs aren’t just tick-box exercises. Responses are often scored using a structured marking scheme, especially in public sector procurement. Each section may carry different weightings depending on the contract priorities.

For example, a construction project with complex health and safety risks might weigh H&S more heavily, while a technically challenging build may prioritise experience and capability.

Scoring typically focuses on:

• Meeting minimum eligibility requirements
• The clarity and relevance of responses
• The level of supporting evidence provided
• Accreditation or certifications held.
  

Some PQQs apply a pass/fail approach to mandatory sections (e.g. minimum insurance cover), while others use numerical scores to rank applicants and shortlist the top-performing suppliers.

How Does A PQQ Fit With The Common Assessment Standard?

Developed by Build UK and supported by the Construction Leadership Council, the Common Assessment Standard is now recognised as the industry benchmark for prequalification.

The Common Assessment Standard simplifies procurement by providing a single, comprehensive assessment tool across multiple projects and clients. This effectively removes the need for multiple, overlapping PQQs. 

Related Reading: What Is The Common Assessment Standard?

The Common Assessment Standard covers key areas of supplier capability and compliance, including:

• Health and safety
• Environmental management and sustainability
• Financial and business standing
• Quality assurance
• Equality and diversity
• Technical and professional ability
• Anti-bribery and corruption
• Modern slavery
• Building Information Modelling (BIM).
  

Organisations such as CHAS are licensed to assess suppliers against the Common Assessment Standard. 

• For contractors, this means a reduced administrative burden and greater visibility with potential clients. 
• For clients, it offers quicker access to a pool of pre-qualified, accredited suppliers, improving efficiency, transparency, and confidence in the procurement process.

The Common Assessment Standard also has a legal imperative. Since June 2024, contracting authorities in the public sector have had to pre-qualify suppliers for works contracts using the Common Assessment Standard. 

PQQs: More Than Just Paperwork

Pre-qualification questionnaires are more than just a paperwork requirement. It helps to think of this document as a critical opportunity to build trust, prove capability, and earn access to valuable construction contracts.

For clients, it’s a time-saving, risk-reducing tool that ensures only suitable suppliers are invited to tender. For contractors and suppliers, it’s a chance to demonstrate professionalism, compliance, and readiness to deliver.

Access resources that will support you in the PQQ tendering process by joining Veriforce CHAS today. Join as a CHAS client to gain access to supply chain management tools and pre-accredited contractors.