Build Estimator

One of our London based multi-disciplinary building contractors, having been established for around 20 years, are rapidly expanding their build division and now need a full-time experienced Estimator. You MUST have a proven track record in pricing projects from £250,000 to over £10 million plus.

Generally, projects include refurbishments, extensions, fit-outs and new-build schemes across the South East and London within the leisure, education, retail, healthcare, and housing sectors. They have built a strong reputation for completing projects within set programmes and within budget.

• Carefully inspect tender documentation. Analyse exact requirements and identify areas that have implications to our business, for example, a contractual requirement may be onerous.
• Provide a detailed “take-off” and Bill of Quantities (BQ).
• Work on traditional Plan and Specification and Design and Build Contracts.
• Rate build-ups to be checked and amended where necessary.
• Clearly mark BQ to identify items to have enquiries sent out, together with specification, preliminary elements and appropriate drawings. Monitor enquiry process and dates for quote returns.
• Oversee or complete the quote analysis comparison and make selection for inclusion in priced tender.
• Contact appropriate person to arrange site inspection. Visit site and make all necessary record notes and take appropriate photographs. Assimilate information and take account of in tender pricing.
• Assess individual rates and prices, amend, create new or insert from material and subcontract quotes.
• Using standard preliminary forms, build-up allowances for each project. Discuss construction sequence of project with Contracts Managers to enable a proposed construction period to be determined. Use to calculate preliminary allowance. Consider other construction methods and determine the specific preliminary requirements.
• Re-assess build-ups taking account of all known conditions and requirements and adjust figures as necessary. Issue to another estimator to have a cursory glance for errors and make corrections if necessary.

• The same process applies as tenders, albeit the degree of accuracy required will be dependent upon how precise and how much time is given to produce.

• Prepare tender build-ups and arrange a meeting with the Pre-Construction Manager, Operation team and Business Manager or Director to adjudicate the price prior to tender submission. Explain the project, the basis of pricing and the names of any other competing contractors.
• Carry out adjustments to the tender based on the discussions in the meeting and complete tender documentation for submission by the due dates.

• Collate tender information and build-ups, and complete estimator’s written report section of the handover meeting. Arrange convenient meeting date with contracts department within one week of letter of intent, contract of firm notice of intent. Attend meetings, explain project and handover documentation and additional copies as necessary.

• Discuss the client’s requirements for a pre-tender meeting with the Sales/Marketing Department and relevant Director and await an answer as to the proposed format our business will take. Marketing will organise all elements for the presentation. Generally, an Estimator will be present and will be expected to present and answer questions on the cost of all works (Surveyors will not be present unless specifically requested).

• Meet with the Client team to carry out value engineering exercises if necessary, liaising with the relevant internal departments and suppliers and/or sub-contractors as appropriate.

On offer is genuine career progression within this forward-thinking build contractor with a healthy order book throughout 2025 into 2026.