Orion Building Engineering Services Ltd

What Orion Building Engineering Services Ltd does

Orion Building Engineering Services Ltd is a UK-based private limited building engineering services contractor founded in 1998 by Simon Heller and headquartered in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. The company delivers an integrated portfolio of six core service disciplines — Heating & Ventilation, Electrical, Plumbing, Air Conditioning, Water Hygiene, and Mechanical Refurbishment — to public sector clients (notably local authorities including Dacorum, Stevenage, St Albans, and Three Rivers District Councils), housing associations (including Thrive Homes), schools, commercial properties, and letting/managing agents. Service delivery combines planned preventative maintenance contracts, reactive 24/7 emergency call-out (with a four-hour onsite response commitment), project-based installation work, and compliance services covering Legionella control, water hygiene, and gas/electrical safety.

The underlying technology stack is operational rather than proprietary: JobLogic job management software for project tracking and client-facing progress visibility, the Opuz water hygiene monitoring and asset compliance system, and Building Management Systems (BMS) for remote plant room monitoring. The company operates an Orion Energy sub-brand delivering renewable energy services including solar PV, air source heat pumps, and biomass solutions, positioned to capture decarbonisation demand from existing public sector clients. The company holds an extensive accreditation portfolio spanning ISO 9001/14001/45001, CHAS, Gas Safe, NICEIC, WaterSafe, MCS, Legionella Control Association, BESA, Investors in People Platinum, and Living Wage Employer status — collectively forming a significant qualification barrier for public sector tenders.

The business model is sales-led and tender-driven, generating revenue through long-term maintenance contracts (recurring subscription-style), one-time project installations, professional services for water hygiene compliance, and emergency response call-outs. Pricing is largely quote-based. Multiple 10-year contract renewals and five-year programme commitments evidence a high-retainer revenue model anchored in long-cycle public sector and housing association relationships across the South East England home counties region.

Name

Orion Building Engineering Services Ltd

Legal name

Orion Building Engineering Services Ltd

Website

https://orionbuildingengineering.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Orion Building Engineering Services is a UK-based contractor delivering integrated M&E building services — HVAC, electrical, plumbing, air conditioning, water hygiene, and mechanical refurbishment — to local authorities, housing associations, schools, and commercial property clients across the home counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Building Engineering Services

NAICS

Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors (23821), Engineering Services (541330), Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413)

SIC

Electrical Work (1731), Services-Engineering Services (8711)

akta.pro primary industry

Electrical Systems Maintenance (LV/MV, Switchgear, UPS) (BPABACAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Electrical Contracting (Commercial/Industrial) (IMAIABAC), Electrical Contracting & Wiring (IMAFALAA)

Keywords

• Building engineering services
• Mechanical electrical plumbing
• HVAC maintenance contracts
• Water hygiene compliance
• Renewable energy installations

Headquarters

HQ city

Hemel Hempstead

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Building Engineering Maintenance Contracts: Ongoing maintenance and service contracts with public sector, housing associations, commercial properties, and schools. Includes planned preventative maintenance (PPM), reactive maintenance, and compliance services.
2. Installation and Project Work: Installation of new equipment including HVAC systems, solar PV, air source heat pumps, plumbing upgrades, and mechanical refurbishments. Typically project-based one-time revenue.
3. Water Hygiene Services: Water testing, temperature monitoring, TMV servicing, tank cleans, disinfections, and legionella compliance services delivered on contract basis.
4. Emergency Response Services: 24/7 emergency call-out services for urgent plumbing, heating, and electrical issues. Available throughout holidays including Christmas period.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Orion Building Engineering Services is a UK building engineering contractor delivering mechanical, electrical, plumbing, air conditioning, water hygiene, and mechanical refurbishment services to commercial, public sector, housing association, education, and property management clients. The company sells recurring planned preventative maintenance contracts, reactive maintenance, project installations, and 24/7 emergency call-out response, plus renewable energy solutions (Solar PV, air source heat pumps, biomass) through its Orion Energy sub-brand.

Product overview

Orion Building Engineering Services Ltd is a building engineering services contractor offering a unified portfolio of six core service disciplines: Heating & Ventilation, Electrical, Plumbing, Air Conditioning, Water Hygiene, and Mechanical Refurbishment. These services are delivered as integrated building maintenance solutions to commercial, public sector, and residential clients across the home counties. A distinct sub-brand, Orion Energy, provides renewable energy solutions including Solar/Photovoltaic systems, Air Source Heat Pumps, and Biomass installations. The company operates on a project and maintenance contract basis, with engineers responding to both scheduled maintenance (PPMs) and emergency reactive calls. Orion Energy services often combine with core building services for comprehensive sustainability upgrades (e.g., solar panels paired with heating system renewals). The product architecture is service-led rather than software-based, with all offerings focused on physical building engineering rather than digital products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Orion Energy: Renewable and sustainable energy services including solar PV installations, air source heat pumps, and biomass solutions to help reduce carbon emissions and create a more comfortable world for generations to come

Products and services

• Heating & Ventilation Responsive expert heating and ventilation service covering emergencies, system problem diagnosis, installation, and planned maintenance for commercial and residential properties.
• Electrical Services Full range of electrical services including maintenance, installation, rewiring, lighting and alarm systems, high and low voltage work, and testing for commercial and residential properties.
• Plumbing Services Expert plumbing services including day-to-day maintenance, emergency repairs, toilet and tap fixes, kitchen sink installations, pipe work, leak repairs, and cylinder services.
• Air Conditioning Air conditioning installation, maintenance, service, fault finding, diagnosis, and repairs for VRF systems, split-type AC, and refrigeration plant, including F-Gas compliant testing and commissioning.
• Water Hygiene Water hygiene services ensuring safe water supply including TMV servicing, chemical descaling, disinfection works, sampling, flushing, temperature testing, tank cleans, calorifier services, and Legionella control compliance with LCA standards.
• Mechanical Refurbishment Specialist building works and mechanical refurbishment services resolving recurring issues, unforeseen challenges, and complex engineering projects including plant room renovations.
• Solar/Photovoltaic Systems Solar PV system installation generating electricity from sunlight using photovoltaic cells, reducing carbon footprint, combatting rising electricity costs, improving property value, and lowering electric bills.
• Air Source Heat Pumps Highly efficient heat pump systems extracting renewable heat from outside air to heat buildings and water, with zero carbon operation on a renewable tariff and running costs comparable to other heating systems.
• Biomass Energy Systems Renewable energy systems using biomass derived from plants, providing a sustainable heating energy source that cannot be depleted as long as plants continue to grow.
• Temp Boiler Room Hire Temporary boiler room hire service providing swift response for emergency heating needs, enabling buildings to maintain heating and hot water during renovations or breakdowns.

Quantifiable outcome

• Turned around 150+ water hygiene tests in under four weeks during post-lockdown reopening
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Dacorum Borough CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrion has a strong ongoing partnership with Dacorum Borough Council for renewable energy projects including solar PV installations at residential buildings. The partnership has delivered multiple projects aimed at reducing carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency.
• MulalleycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrion has been working in partnership with Mulalley on communal heating schemes for two years. The partnership involves upgrading 15 sheltered housing schemes, with works completed to both Mulalley's and Stevenage Borough Council's standards.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Shepherd Engineering Services: UK MEP contractor providing building services, mechanical and electrical installations, and maintenance across commercial and residential sectors. Direct competitor in the building engineering services space.
• TClarke: UK electrical and building services contractor with strong public sector and commercial presence. Direct peer in electrical contracting and broader building engineering delivery.
• Crown House Technologies: MEP specialist within Laing O'Rourke delivering mechanical, electrical, and building services across UK projects. Comparable in service breadth though operating at much larger scale.
• Dodd Group: Mid-sized UK building services contractor delivering electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and facilities services to public sector and commercial clients. Comparable in scale and regional focus to Orion.
• NG Bailey: UK-based MEP and building services contractor offering electrical, mechanical, HVAC, and facilities services across commercial, public sector, and infrastructure. Closest direct UK peer to Orion in scope of MEP disciplines and customer segments.

Broad incumbents

• Mitie Group: Major UK facilities management and building services provider serving public sector, commercial, and industrial clients. Competes with Orion on larger FM and maintenance contracts; significantly broader portfolio.
• EQUANS UK: Multi-disciplinary technical services and facilities management provider operating in the UK with MEP, energy, and FM capabilities. Competes on integrated public sector and building services contracts.
• ENGIE UK: Global energy and facilities services provider with UK building services and energy efficiency offerings. Competes for larger public sector tenders and overlaps with Orion Energy's renewable services.
• Balfour Beatty: Large UK infrastructure and construction group with facilities management and building services exposure. Competes on major public sector frameworks beyond Orion's typical scale.
• Amey: UK infrastructure and facilities services provider serving local authorities, housing associations, and government. Competes for public sector building maintenance and refurbishment contracts.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCExample

Compliance16 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Orion Building Engineering Services Ltd