Unlocking Opportunity: What the £1.8bn Green Retrofit Framework Means for UK Built Environment Firms

This week, a major opportunity emerged for firms across the UK’s built environment sector: a new £1.8bn framework to accelerate green retrofit projects in social housing and public sector buildings.

Spearheaded by Manchester-based Procure Plus, this four-year initiative represents one of the most significant public investments in low-carbon retrofit works to date.

With sustainability climbing rapidly up the national agenda, this framework is a step toward net-zero carbon goals and a catalyst for job creation and business growth in construction, energy, design, and consultancy. If your firm works in retrofit installation, solar power, heat pump technologies, surveying, planning, consultancy or architecture, there is a place for you.

What the Framework Covers

Set to run from 2025 to 2029, the framework encompasses:

• Air and ground source heat pumps

• Electric heating systems

• Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems

• Battery storage

• Whole-house insulation upgrades

• Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR)

• PAS 2035-compliant retrofit packages

Its nationwide scope offers opportunities for both SMEs and major firms, and with decarbonisation and fuel poverty at the core of the mission, the scale of retrofit work is unprecedented.

Why This Matters

The UK’s aging housing stock is among the least energy-efficient in Europe. Over 27 million homes and countless public buildings need to be retrofitted to meet net-zero targets by 2050. This framework puts serious public money into achieving that, and makes it accessible through a regionally-structured, multi-lot approach.

It’s not just an environmental imperative; it’s a long-term business opportunity.

Sector-by-Sector Opportunities

Construction and Retrofit Delivery

Main contractors, specialist installers, and building maintenance firms have enormous scope to deliver retrofit works. From insulation and ventilation upgrades to heat pump and solar system installations, the framework offers a multi-technology pipeline of funded jobs.

Opportunities include:

• End-to-end retrofit packages

• Specialised mechanical and electrical (M&E) delivery

• Regional delivery partnerships with housing associations and councils

Actions:

• Align your certifications (e.g., PAS 2030, TrustMark)

• Prepare for consortium bidding or joint ventures

• Demonstrate experience with public procurement

Solar PV Installers and Battery Storage Specialists

With the push for decentralised, low-carbon energy generation, solar PV companies stand to gain significantly. The framework includes the installation of roof-mounted PV arrays and battery systems on homes, schools, and community buildings.

This is a chance for established solar firms and newcomers to scale up and deliver repeatable, regional projects, particularly in social housing, where energy costs are a pressing issue.

Opportunities include:

• Installing rooftop solar on housing and public sector sites

• Integrating solar with battery storage and smart meters

• Partnering with contractors for bundled retrofit services

Actions:

• Ensure MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) accreditation

• Build supply chain resilience for panels and batteries

• Offer performance monitoring and ongoing maintenance services

Ground Source and Air Source Heat Pump Providers

The framework calls for widespread installation of air and ground source heat pumps (GSHPs)—a cornerstone of low-carbon heating in both domestic and non-domestic settings.

Firms that design, supply, install, and maintain these systems are in a prime position. This is especially relevant for retrofits in off-gas areas or buildings currently reliant on fossil fuel heating.

Opportunities include:

• Supplying and installing GSHP and ASHP systems

• Coordinating with architects and designers to optimise system integration

• Offering lifetime maintenance packages to public sector clients

Actions:

• Ensure certified installer status (MCS, RECC)

• Develop turnkey solutions that include ground loop design and drilling

• Prepare to scale delivery capacity regionally

Architects and Retrofit Designers

Design plays a critical role in retrofitting complex or sensitive buildings. Architectural firms with experience in sustainable retrofit, particularly under PAS 2035, will be essential.

Opportunities include:

• Designing energy-efficient building upgrades

• Balancing heritage, planning, and performance needs

• Collaborating with contractors in design-and-build teams

Actions:

• Build capacity for retrofit coordination and whole-building assessments

• Use BIM and simulation tools to model performance improvements

• Partner with surveyors and planners for full-service offerings

Surveyors and Retrofit Coordinators

Before retrofit measures can be applied, buildings need detailed assessment. Chartered surveyors and Retrofit Coordinators are central to this process, helping define the right interventions and ensure quality.

Opportunities include:

• Pre-retrofit building condition surveys

• Ongoing quality control and compliance with PAS 2035

• Acting as Retrofit Assessors or Coordinators under TrustMark

Actions:

• Get trained and certified as PAS 2035 Retrofit Coordinators

• Offer performance monitoring and post-occupancy evaluations

• Partner with contractors or local authorities as technical advisors

Planning and Consultancy

Retrofit doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Planning professionals help align retrofit ambitions with regulations, conservation requirements, and local area energy strategies.

Opportunities include:

• Advising councils and housing associations on planning approvals

• Supporting integration of sustainability objectives

• Managing community engagement and consultation

Actions:

• Stay updated on permitted development rights for renewables

• Build strong relationships with planning officers

• Assist in funding applications and grant compliance

Sustainability and Retrofit Consultants

Coordinating large-scale retrofit projects requires strategic vision and on-the-ground technical knowledge. Sustainability consultants can help bridge that gap for public sector clients.

Opportunities include:

• Developing and reviewing retrofit strategies

• Advising on carbon modelling, lifecycle performance, and materials

• Ensuring compliance with funding bodies and frameworks

Actions:

• Position yourself as a one-stop advisory partner

• Build tools for tracking energy performance and outcomes

• Engage early with public sector procurement teams

How to Get Involved

The procurement process officially begins on 23 May 2025, and firms should register their interest now.

Details are available on the Find a Tender Service – FTS 020208-2025.

Next Steps:

1. Register with procurement portals like Find a Tender and ProContract.

2. Review your current capabilities and accreditations.

3. Attend early engagement events or webinars.

4. Identify partners or subcontractors to strengthen your bid.

The £1.8bn green retrofit framework is more than a funding scheme; it’s a generational opportunity to reshape the UK’s built environment. For firms in solar PV, ground source heat, construction, design, and consulting, this is a chance to grow your business, support your community, and contribute meaningfully to a sustainable future.

But action is needed now. The retrofit revolution has begun - and those who are ready will be the ones who lead it. Need marketing advice on how to create a competitive advantage over your competitors to win framework jobs? Speak to me to kick-start things with a marketing strategy session.