How to Use the PQQ Cheat Sheet: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Pre-Qualification Success
Have you ever opened a bid pack, scrolled through the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ), and felt instantly overwhelmed? You are not alone. PQQs can be time-consuming, repetitive, and often filled with requests for information you know you’ve answered before.
That’s exactly why we created the PQQ Cheat Sheet, your central place to store and manage all the key information buyers commonly ask for. In this blog, we show you how to use it properly so you can fill out PQQs faster, more confidently, and with fewer errors.
Keep in mind that not every section will be relevant to every business or industry. For example, some sectors may not require health and safety statistics or subcontractor details. That’s fine, just complete the parts that apply to you and ignore the rest.
Step 1: Download and Save Your Copy
First things first, complete the form below to download your free PQQ Cheat Sheet. Once it lands in your inbox, save a local copy so that it's fully editable. This is now your live working document.
Step 2: Understand the Layout
The cheat sheet is essentially a spreadsheet that is designed to work like your PQQ bid library, storing everything from company information to subcontractor details. It is broken into clear, easy-to-complete sections:
Company Info
Financials
Accreditations
Health & Safety Stats
Document Library
Experience & Capability
Subcontractors
Final Checklist
Each tab stores the data you will need to reuse time and again.
Step 3: Fill In Your Company Details
Starting with the basics:
Company name and trading name
Registered address
Website, company registration number
Formation date (check Companies House if unsure)
Step 4: Add Financial Information
Buyers use this to assess your commercial viability. Add:
Annual turnover
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Net profit (after tax)
You can find this in your company accounts.
Step 5: List Accreditations
Include every relevant accreditation:
ISO 9001, CHAS, Constructionline, etc.
Membership numbers (if applicable)
Expiry dates, keep them updated!
Step 6: Input Health & Safety Stats (If Applicable)
These depend on your industry but could include:
Total incidents
Lost time accidents
RIDDOR reports
Data from the last 2–3 years
Step 7: Organise Your Document Library
You will often be asked to upload documents with your PQQ. Use this section to ensure you store a copy of all documentation in PQQ Bid Library Folders.
Company registration and VAT certificates
Financial accounts and credit reports
Insurance policies (PI, PL, EL)
Policies and procedures (H&S, safeguarding, environmental, etc.)
Certificates and accreditations
Tip: Always name your documents clearly. A clear and consistent naming convention makes it easier for buyers to find the right files, which can improve your score during evaluation. Include the question reference number (if applicable), your company name, and a short descriptor. For example: 4.2_WordsmithProjects_FinancialAccounts_2023.pdf or 5.1_WordsmithProjects_Insurance_PLI.pdf. This shows that you're organised, professional, and attentive to detail, qualities buyers look for in a supplier.
Step 8: Capture Experience & Capability
This is where you showcase relevant contracts you have delivered:
Client name and contact
Project description
Dates, values, and outcomes
Always get permission before listing a reference
Aim for three examples from the last three years that reflect the scale and scope of the opportunity you are bidding for.
Step 9: Add Subcontractor Details (If Applicable)
If you rely on subcontractors, store their:
Name, registration number, and VAT info
Head office address
Status and services provided
Again, this is a one-time setup that saves time later.
Step 10: Use the Checklist Before You Submit
The last tab is your final review:
Have you answered all questions?
Are all documents attached and correctly named?
Are your policies, insurance, and accreditations current?
Have you done a final proofread?
Tick everything off before you hit submit.
Keep It Up to Date
The PQQ Cheat Sheet is a working document, not a one-off task. To get the most out of it, make sure to keep it up to date. Schedule regular reviews, at least quarterly, to check that your policies, financials, accreditations, and certificates are current.
Final Thoughts
The PQQ Cheat Sheet isn't just another admin task, it is your shortcut to working smarter. By centralising your data and prepping once, you will eliminate repetitive work, reduce mistakes, and submit cleaner, more professional PQQs.
So don’t let PQQs hold you back. Download your free cheat sheet today and get one step closer to winning that next contract.