At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare competitive tenders for mechanical services in HVAC, plumbing, and public health systems.
- Company: Leading building services engineering company with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, company car, pension scheme, private healthcare, and generous leave.
- Other info: Great career progression opportunities in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in the building services sector.
- Qualifications: Experience in mechanical estimating and strong understanding of building services required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
1st Step Solutions are supporting a building services engineering company who have an opportunity for a Mechanical Estimator based in Grays, Essex. (with site visits as required) Our client delivers Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing solutions across commercial, industrial and residential sectors.
Job Overview
Responsible for preparing accurate and competitive tenders for mechanical services packages. This includes reviewing specifications, mechanical drawings, carrying out detailed take-offs, liaising with suppliers/subcontractors, and producing full cost plans for HVAC, plumbing and public health systems.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare mechanical estimates for HVAC, heating, cooling, ventilation, domestic services, drainage and associated plant.
- Analyse tender documentation including drawings, specifications, schedules and scope of works.
- Produce material and labour take-offs, bills of quantities, pricing schedules and tender summaries.
- Obtain, evaluate and negotiate quotations from suppliers and specialist subcontractors.
- Identify project risks and include appropriate allowances.
- Support the development of pre-construction budgets and cost plans.
- Work closely with electrical estimators, design engineers, project managers and the commercial team.
- Attend internal tender review meetings and contribute to tender strategy.
- Prepare tender clarifications, exclusions and assumptions.
- Produce detailed and clearly structured final tender submissions.
- Maintain accurate estimating records and update internal cost databases.
Skills & Experience Required
- Proven experience as a Mechanical Estimator within building services or mechanical contracting.
- Strong understanding of mechanical building-services systems.
- Ability to interpret mechanical drawings, schematics and specifications.
- Competency with estimating and digital take-off tools.
- Excellent numeracy, commercial awareness and attention to detail.
Desirable
- Experience in MEP estimating or combined services tenders.
Qualifications
- HNC/HND, NVQ, or Degree in Electrical Engineering or Building Services (advantageous).
- Proven track record in electrical estimating (required).
- CSCS card (or willingness to obtain).
On Offer:
- Competitive salary
- Company car / allowance
- Pension scheme
- Career progression opportunities
- Private health care
- Excellent annual leave entitlement
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Mechanical Estimator in West Thurrock
✨Networking in the Right Circles
Dive into communities focused on building systems and supply engineering. Join LinkedIn groups, attend industry-specific trade shows, and don’t shy away from local meetups. These are golden opportunities to connect with industry professionals who could help you land that full-time role at places like 1st Step.
✨Showcase Your Projects
If you've worked on any projects—big or small—related to building systems, make sure to showcase them! Creating a portfolio or a detailed case study on your approach can do wonders. It’s all about showing prospective employers, like 1st Step, that you’ve got hands-on experience and a solid understanding of the field.
✨Leverage University Resources
Are you still connected with your university? Tap into their career services! Many universities have relationships with firms in the building systems sector and can provide leads on exclusive job openings. This could be your ticket to landing the full-time job you want.
✨Get Involved in Professional Bodies
Consider joining professional organisations related to building systems and supply engineering. These often have job boards, career development events, and networking opportunities. Engaging with these can significantly increase your visibility to firms like 1st Step and may help you secure that full-time position sooner!
We think you need these skills to ace Mechanical Estimator in West Thurrock
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Engineering Skills:In the building systems supply engineering field, make sure to highlight your technical skills in your CV. Include any relevant software certifications or engineering tools you’re proficient with. Demonstrating your ability to use industry-specific technologies can really set you apart!
Quantify Your Achievements:Employers love to see how you've made an impact in your previous roles. When detailing your work experience, try to include quantifiable achievements—like how you improved a system’s efficiency by a percentage or managed a project that saved your last company X amount. This shows you're results-driven and could help us at 1st Step.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Don’t just reuse the same old cover letter! Personalise it for the Mechanical Estimator role at 1st Step. Talk about your passion for building systems and why this position excites you. We want to see your personality shine through and how you envision contributing to our team.
Include Relevant Projects:If you’ve worked on specific projects related to building systems supply engineering, don’t forget to mention them! Include any reports or case studies that showcase your problem-solving abilities and project management skills. This portfolio of work can really illustrate your expertise to us.
How to prepare for a job interview at 1st Step
✨Know Your Technical Stuff
For a role in building systems supply engineering, make sure you're clued up about the latest technologies and tools in the field. Brush up on your knowledge of HVAC systems, plumbing, electrical layouts, and any relevant software used in modelling or design.
✨Showcase Real Projects
Since this is a full-time position, the interviewers will be keen to see your relevant experience. Bring along a portfolio that highlights the projects you've worked on, focusing on your role and the impact you had. Be ready to discuss the challenges faced and how you overcame them.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions during your interview. They may ask how you would approach a specific design challenge or troubleshoot an existing system. Think about examples from your past work where you successfully tackled problems, and be ready to articulate your thought process.
✨Understand the Industry Landscape
It's crucial to have a good grasp of the current trends affecting building systems, like sustainable engineering practices or smart technology integration. Familiarise yourself with recent advancements and be prepared to discuss how they might influence your work at 1st Step.
