Estimator

Waites Recruitment Consultancy LTD are seeking an Estimator for a client based in Bedford on a full-time basis. Experienced Estimator needed, fantastic opportunity to grow your career and work for a well-established construction company.

Job purpose

To work collaboratively with all stakeholders to produce an accurate and competitive nett cost for each element of a project prior to agreement of overhead and profit and submission to the customer. To identify construction elements and risks that aren’t immediately apparent and make recommendations for associated costs. To manage the launch of information relating to won projects to the operational team.

Duties and responsibilities

• Receive and thoroughly review enquiry documentation. Log all information in line with the business system.
• Fully understand the information required within the tender submission and timescale. Establish the resources required to produce a comprehensive bid.
• Manage the issue of information and actions to the bid team including a formal RFI where required.
• Liaise with sub-contractors and suppliers to ensure their engagement and commitment.
• Arrange and attend site surveys including attendance of the bid team and sub-contractors. Prepare an accurate measure of the works.
• Understand the specific site restrictions and arrangement for welfare, deliveries, waste etc.
• Prepare a comprehensive and traded costing document, populated using built up rates, supply chain quotes, rates from data libraries and historic rates.
• Ensure that project costs are aligned to the proposed programme and resource levels.
• Adjudicate net costs with the Commercial Director to agree percentage uplift levels for overhead, risk and profit across the estimate.
• Prepare and collate all elements of the tender including Form of Tender, programme, priced schedule, methodology statement, non-collusion statement etc. as required and submit in the format and timescale required whether this is electronically, on portal, by hand/post or other means.
• Attend proposal presentations alongside other members of the bid team if required.
• Prepare and submit information as requested in response to post tender queries or negotiations. Obtain a confirmed outcome of each tender and report to the bid team including supply chain.
• Prepare all relevant information in order to launch secured work to the operational team including project design and specifications, H&S information, Contracts terms, supply chain and nominated/direct contractor details, programme, risk, key outcomes, restrictions, resources etc.
• Launch secured work alongside the Commercial Director and provide ongoing information post launch as and when required.

Qualifications & skills

• Ideally a minimum requirement of HND in Quantity Surveying / Construction Management.
• A practical and logical mind and a methodical way of thinking; a creative and innovative approach to problem solving.
• An ability to plan their work, and that of others, to achieve deadlines; an ability to view enquiries holistically and at detail level.
• Strong numeracy and financial management skills and the ability to learn sophisticated design and costing IT packages.
• The ability to write clearly and precisely to relate complex information and outcomes in a simple way to a diverse range of people.
• Negotiation and teamwork skills and the ability to motivate and lead other members of the project team.
• Detailed knowledge of past and current building and construction technology, processes, materials, business and legal matters.
• A thorough understanding of current market rates for construction elements.
• An appreciation of the impact that site safety, environmental and quality requirements have on construction costs.
• An appreciation of the impact that programmed labour levels have on construction costs.

Working conditions

The role is generally office-based although on occasion it will be necessary to survey sites and attend meetings with the customer, their professional team and sub-contractors at their premises. The role will be undertaken during normal working hours although these may be extended slightly as and when deadlines dictate.

Direct reports

None although it is expected that the Estimator will actively motivate and manage other members of the bid team.