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- Tasks: Join us as an Estimator, calculating build costs and collaborating with teams to ensure project success.
- Company: Willmott Dixon is a leading construction company with over 170 years of history, focused on sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive pay, enhanced pension, private medical, and access to electric cars.
- Why this job: Be part of a company recognised for its culture, innovation, and commitment to community and environment.
- Qualifications: 5 GCSEs including maths, plus relevant qualifications in construction or quantity surveying.
- Other info: We embrace diversity and offer flexible working options; join a team that values your contributions.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
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We are currently recruiting for an experienced Estimator to join our Construction South business. We deliver projects across multiple sectors, and this will be a hybrid role with a mix of office-based and remote working. It\’s an exciting time to join our business, which has a very strong current workbook, and has a strong pipeline portfolio for the next 2 to 3 years+.
As the successful Estimator, you will calculate the build cost for our customers, ensuring we deliver the right net cost, on time, and to the highest quality for cost accuracy. You will collaborate with the wider preconstruction team and supply chain partners to ensure that we provide an accurate cost in line with the customer’s requirements, project scope and current legislation. Ensuring the service and standards we provide place customer value at the forefront of delivering a perfect product.
Some of the key duties/responsibilities will include:
- Ensure that all costs on the project are in accordance with the project scope, the customer’s requirements and current legislation.
- Collaborate with the wider preconstruction team to secure and convert tender projects.
- Create robust accurate cost plans through the various design gateways up to target price.
- Guide the design team and inform the customer with respect to affordability.
- Use technical experience to identify opportunities and risks along with solutions to add value.
- Support the design discipline by costing change control items as identified and track through the RIBA Stages.
- Complete or manage project take–offs to the required level of detail (SMM7/NRM2/building quants).
- Provide a complete and robust cost information pack during the substantiation process to the commercial build team at handover, to include completed comparisons, bills of quantities, tender book and quotations.
- Collaborate with the design lead to capture and include design fees in the tender summary book (consultants, statutory authorities, surveys, schedules, and the like).
- Assist in the change control process, identifying design changes between RIBA stages, advising on the impact of the change and approximate cost.
- Carry out cost assessments on alternative design solutions to inform the final design and project/customer budget.
Essential and Desirable Criteria
- Strong end to end tendering – conquest or similar
- Cost Planning – MS Excel or similar
- Measurement – use of Cost X or similar
- Strong written and spoken English
- 5 GCSEs (A-C Grade) or equivalent, including maths.
- A BTEC in Building Studies, Building Engineering or Building Management or a HNC/HND/Degree in Quantity Surveying/Construction Management/Civil Engineering (or equivalent work experience)
- Working towards MCIOB/MRICS.
Personal Qualities
- Lead by example, take responsibility to make things happen and hold myself accountable for delivering work to the highest standards.
- Skilled communicator, able to deliver messages effectively and understand others through open and honest conversations.
- Embrace challenges, learn from setbacks, and consistently seek new ways to make our business more successful.
- Analytical skills – ability to analyse project specifications and technical documents to accurately estimate cost.
- Attention to detail – precision in reviewing project details and understanding scope of work and considering all relevant factors that affect cost.
- Mathematical proficiency – strong mathematical skills are essential for calculations.
- Resourcefulness – ability to gather and utilise information from multiple sources.
- Time management – efficiently manage time to meet deadlines and deliver estimated cost on time.
Additional Information
Willmott Dixon embraces diversity in the workplace and will consider flexible and agile working. We are a disability confident employer.
Benefits: In return we reward our people generously with a competitive package that gives you flexible benefits to fit your lifestyle and priorities. This includes but is not limited to, an enhanced pension scheme, full / heavily discounted private medical, life assurance, incentive bonus and a car scheme which will make us a market leader in sustainable company travel. Applicable roles will benefit from a motoring expenditure allowance (MEA) and everyone can access a new generation of low carbon and electric cars via the Willmott Dixon run car leasing scheme.
About Us
With over 170 years of rich history, Willmott Dixon’s purpose is beyond profit; delivering brilliant buildings, transforming lives, strengthening communities and enhancing the environment so our world is fit for future generations. Ensuring that we add lasting value to the neighbourhoods we work in; our values, people, innovation, partnerships and focus on sustainability has allowed us to build a successful and solid privately owned business where our people can thrive.
Willmott Dixon was recognised by The Sunday Times as one of the Top 10 \”Big\” Companies to Work For in 2025, named among the Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality in 2024, and ranked in the Top Five of Europe’s 1,000 best workplaces by the Financial Times in 2025.
Willmott Dixon is also the first major contractor and developer to win a King\’s Award for Enterprise in the category of sustainable development.
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Estimator / Cost Planner employer: Willmott Dixon
Contact Detail:
Willmott Dixon Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Estimator / Cost Planner
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest cost estimation software like Cost X or similar tools. Being proficient in these applications will not only enhance your technical skills but also demonstrate your commitment to staying updated in the field.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the construction industry, especially those who work in estimating and cost planning. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to build connections that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your analytical skills by preparing case studies or examples of past projects where you successfully estimated costs. This practical demonstration of your abilities can set you apart during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Willmott Dixon's recent projects and their approach to sustainability. Understanding their values and how they align with your own can help you articulate why you're a great fit for their team during discussions.
We think you need these skills to ace Estimator / Cost Planner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in estimating and cost planning. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to calculate build costs accurately and collaborate with teams.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Mention how your skills align with the job requirements, particularly your experience with cost planning and project management.
Showcase Relevant Skills: Emphasise your analytical skills, attention to detail, and mathematical proficiency in your application. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed costs and collaborated with design teams in previous roles.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for an Estimator role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Willmott Dixon
✨Know Your Numbers
As an Estimator, you'll need to demonstrate strong mathematical skills. Brush up on your cost calculations and be prepared to discuss how you approach estimating costs for various projects. Familiarise yourself with relevant software like MS Excel or Cost X, as these tools are crucial in your role.
✨Understand the Project Scope
Make sure you thoroughly understand the project scope and customer requirements before the interview. Be ready to explain how you would ensure that all costs align with these factors, and think of examples from your past experience where you successfully managed this.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
Collaboration is key in this role. Prepare to discuss how you've worked with design teams and supply chain partners in the past. Highlight specific instances where your teamwork led to successful project outcomes, demonstrating your ability to communicate effectively and guide others.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions related to cost planning and measurement techniques. Review the RIBA stages and be ready to discuss how you would handle change control processes. Showing your analytical skills and attention to detail will be essential in proving your capability for this position.
