What Are Council Leads in Construction?
Finding new projects early has always been a major challenge for UK builders, with many opportunities appearing only after competitors have already made their move. That’s why BuilderExpert is introducing a new feature: Council Leads.
This feature will let every user view real projects listed by councils, giving builders, property developers, and specialist trades the chance to spot opportunities before they reach the wider market.
In the UK, councils publish details of planning applications and approvals, but tracking them across multiple websites can be time-consuming. Council Leads brings this information together in one simple platform, showing you project addresses, applicant details, and agent contacts all in one place.
Free Version – What You’ll Get at Launch
When the Council Leads feature goes live, every BuilderExpert user will be able to try it out through a Free version. This is designed to give you a sneak peek into how the system works and the kind of opportunities it can uncover.
Here’s how it works:
- You’ll be able to select one council of your choice. This decision is permanent, so you’ll want to pick the region most relevant to your work.
- Once chosen, you’ll get access to 5 new leads per week from that council.
- These leads will include a preview of the available information, giving you a taste of what’s on offer inside Premium.
By clicking on the Leads tab, you’ll see the full list of councils available. After selecting your council, simply scroll down to view your weekly leads. Even in the free version, you’ll see a sample of applicant details and agent information, such as names and addresses.
The information provided below are blurred for private reasons.
The goal of the free version is simple: to let you experience the value of council leads for yourself and understand just how many opportunities you could be missing without them.
Available Councils
When you click on the Leads tab, you’ll see a full list of councils to choose from. Options include Bromley, Croydon, Elmbridge, Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea, Kingston, Lambeth, Merton, Reigate & Banstead, Southwark, Sutton, Test Valley, Wandsworth, and many more. Each one comes with its own set of leads, giving you the flexibility to select the area that matters most to your business.
Why Upgrade to Premium?
While the Free version gives you a taste of what’s possible, the Premium upgrade is where the real value begins. By simply clicking Subscribe next to any council, you can unlock full access to all the leads available in that region — with no weekly cap.
Here’s what makes Premium a smarter choice:
- Unlimited access – view every lead from your selected councils, not just five per week.
- Complete details – see full applicant and agent contact information, including email addresses and phone numbers.
- Council-by-council flexibility – unlock the councils most relevant to your work, whether that’s your local area or new regions you want to expand into.
- Simple, one-click upgrade – no complicated steps, no waiting periods. Just choose a council and start exploring all available leads instantly.
- Extra tools to win more jobs – Premium also unlocks powerful features like PDF export, custom lead lists, and a letter creation tool where you can save templates and email agents directly about your services with just a few clicks.
We’ll be covering these Premium tools in more detail in a dedicated article after launch — but even at a glance, it’s clear how much more you can achieve with full access compared to the limited Free preview.
By upgrading, you move from a limited preview to a complete resource, giving your business the insights and communication tools it needs to grow with confidence.
The Benefits of Council Leads in Construction
Access to council leads can completely change the way builders and contractors find work. Instead of waiting for opportunities to come to you, you can proactively identify projects as soon as they’re listed.
Some of the biggest benefits include:
- Early visibility of projects – know what’s coming before it hits the wider market.
- Less wasted time – stop chasing dead ends or relying on word-of-mouth.
- Competitive advantage – position your services ahead of rivals who don’t have access.
- Better planning – align your estimates, labour, and resources with upcoming demand.
- Transparency and trust – with applicant and agent details available, you can build relationships directly instead of relying on intermediaries.
Whether you’re on the Free version testing out five weekly leads from your chosen council, or on Premium with full access, the value is clear: council leads give builders the information they need to stay ahead, win more work, and grow their pipeline.
Looking Ahead – The Future of Council Leads at BuilderExpert
The launch of Council Leads is just the beginning. At BuilderExpert, our mission has always been to give builders the tools they need to work smarter, save time, and increase profit. This new feature is another step toward that vision.
In the coming months, we’ll continue to refine and expand what council leads can offer. Future updates may include:
- Smarter filters – making it easier to search by project type, size, or value.
- Custom notifications – so you’re alerted the moment new leads appear in your area.
- Deeper integrations – connecting council leads directly with your estimates, schedules, and resource planning.
- Advanced communication tools – helping you engage applicants and agents more effectively with just a few clicks.
By starting with a Free version and a simple path to Premium, we’re making sure every builder can access opportunities at the level that suits them best. But the roadmap doesn’t stop here — Council Leads will continue to grow, giving you more insights and more power to shape the future of your business.
Conclusion
Conclusion
The upcoming Council Leads feature is set to transform how builders discover new opportunities. Instead of relying on chance or chasing rumours, you’ll have direct access to real projects listed by councils — giving you the chance to plan ahead, contact the right people, and position your services before the competition.
With the Free version, you can start by choosing a council and exploring five new leads per week, getting a clear preview of what’s possible. And when you’re ready to go further, upgrading to Premium unlocks full access with just one click, along with extra tools that make winning jobs easier than ever.
This is more than just a new feature — it’s another way BuilderExpert is helping contractors simplify the way they find work, estimate costs, and grow profitably. If you want to see how our other tools already support UK builders, check out our guide on real-time construction estimating software.
Stay tuned for the launch, and don’t miss your chance to try it for yourself.
Stay Connected
Want to be the first to know when Council Leads goes live? Follow BuilderExpert on:
- Facebook – tips, updates, and construction insights.
- LinkedIn – industry news and professional discussions.
- YouTube – tutorials and feature demos.
Your next big project could be just one lead away. 🚀