Estate and external works in Orkney

Social landlords in Orkney can appoint us for estate and external works, from a single home to a programme. Orkney Islands Council still owns council homes here, alongside housing association stock. We work to the Scottish Housing Quality Standard and to your own specification.

Orkney at a glance

Council: Orkney Islands Council
Nation: Scotland
Council homes: Council-owned, managed by the council
Housing standard: SHQS (Scotland)
Damp and mould timescales: Scottish 2026 regulations (since 6 Oct 2026)
Population: 22,400 (2020 estimate)
Regional price factor: 0.97 (our estimate)

Council housing status from published stock transfer histories (6 transfer and 26 stock-holding councils), not yet checked against Scottish Government tables. Population: ONS 2020 mid-year estimate.

Who owns the social homes in Orkney?

Orkney Islands Council is one of the 26 Scottish councils that still own their homes. Housing associations (registered social landlords) also own social homes in Orkney, and we can work for both.

What do we cover in Orkney?

Paths, paving and dropped kerbs
Fencing, gates and boundary walls
Bin stores and cycle stores
Surface water drainage and gullies
Soft landscaping and planting

Estate and external works in a social home

How do we deliver it?

Where we see trip hazards, broken lighting or damaged fencing outside our scope, we report it to you.

Which rules apply in Orkney?

Social landlords are commercial clients under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, so the full client duties apply. Where there is more than one contractor, the client appoints a principal designer and a principal contractor.

SHQS (Scotland) · More about estate and external works

What do estate and external works cost in Orkney?

We price estate and external works in Orkney after a survey rather than from a guide range, because areas, levels, drainage and materials vary from scheme to scheme. Send us the details and we will arrange a visit.

Questions about estate and external works in Orkney

Does Orkney Islands Council still own council homes?

Orkney Islands Council is one of the 26 Scottish councils that still own their homes. Housing associations (registered social landlords) also own social homes in Orkney, and we can work for both.

Which housing standard applies in Orkney?

Social landlords in Scotland must meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard, with energy efficiency rules (EESSH2) under review ahead of a new Social Housing Net Zero Standard.

Can you take on estate and external works in Orkney as a subcontractor?

Yes. Main contractors working for social landlords in Orkney can engage us as a tier-2 subcontractor for estate and external works, working under their systems and their client's specification.