At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead estimating for tenders and live projects, ensuring accurate cost estimates.
- Company: Dynamic construction firm with offices in Derry, Mallusk & Castledawson.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, healthcare cash plan, life assurance, and exclusive member discounts.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for process improvement and career growth.
- Why this job: Join a team where your analytical skills can drive project success and savings.
- Qualifications: Level 3 qualification in Construction or related field; 3 years estimating experience required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
This is a permanent full-time, Northern Ireland based role, with offices in Derry, Mallusk & Castledawson. The successful applicant will be able to operate from any of these locations. On offer is a competitive salary in line with experience and benefits package, including Healthcare Cash Plan, Life Assurance, Family Friendly policies, and exclusive member discounts.
Role Overview: Reporting to the Core Services Director, the Estimator will take the lead on estimating and will play a key role in supporting the commercial and operational teams by preparing accurate cost estimates for both tenders and live projects. They will assist in developing competitive bids, ensuring pricing accuracy, and analysing project costs to support financial control. Working closely with suppliers, subcontractors, and internal stakeholders, the Estimator will contribute to the company’s success by identifying cost-saving opportunities, mitigating risks, and maintaining robust cost data. This role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work within tight deadlines to ensure the successful delivery of bids and ongoing project profitability.
- Bid Estimation Responsibilities:
- Tender Preparation: Assist in the preparation of tender submissions, ensuring accurate cost estimates and compliance with bid requirements.
- Quantity Take-offs: Perform material and labour quantity take-offs from drawings, specifications, and site visits.
- Pricing & Cost Analysis: Develop cost estimates by gathering data on materials, labour, equipment, and subcontractors.
- Supplier & Subcontractor Enquiries: Obtain and analyse quotations from suppliers and subcontractors for competitive pricing.
- Risk Assessment: Identify and assess potential project risks and incorporate contingency allowances where necessary.
- Bid Documentation: Assist in compiling bid submissions, including pricing summaries, methodology statements, and commercial documentation.
- Value Engineering: Identify cost-saving opportunities and alternative solutions to improve bid competitiveness.
- Live Project Estimating Responsibilities:
- Cost Control: Preparation and monitoring of project costs against initial estimates and budgets, identifying variances and potential cost-saving measures.
- Re-measurements & Variations: Conduct re-measurements and assist in the preparation of variations and change orders.
- Subcontractor & Supplier Costing: Assist in reviewing and negotiating subcontractor and supplier costs for ongoing projects.
- Progress Evaluations: Support project managers in tracking work progress and assessing cost implications.
- Data Management: Maintain an up-to-date database of historical costs, rates, and benchmarking data for future estimates.
- Reporting & Forecasting: Assist in preparing cost reports, forecasting final project costs, and identifying commercial risks.
- General Duties:
- Collaboration: Work closely with commercial, procurement, and operations teams to ensure cost accuracy and project profitability.
- Industry Research: Keep up to date with market trends, material costs, and industry best practices.
- Process Improvement: Support the development and improvement of estimating processes and tools.
- Compliance: Ensure all estimating activities align with company policies, contract requirements, and regulatory standards.
Education / Experience:
- Essential Criteria: Level 3 qualification or above in Construction, Quantity Surveying, Estimating, or a related discipline.
- Proven experience leading estimating and pricing functions in construction, facilities management, or a related industry.
- 3 years experience in a similar role.
- Estimating and Tender bid preparation experience.
- Commercially and operationally aware on delivery of works.
- Strong commercial attitude and excellent communication skills.
- Knowledge and understanding of sub-contractor management.
- Experience operating within a fast-paced construction industry.
- Desirable Criteria:
- Experience of NEC suite of contracts.
- Experience of Public sector and housing contracts.
- Experience in use of estimating software such as Conquest / Causeway.
Skills / Competencies:
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to manage client relationships.
- Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
- Ability to work well under pressure and to strict deadlines.
- Enthusiastic and result driven with excellent attention to detail.
- Strong planning and organisation skills with good problem-solving skills.
- IT literate with a sound knowledge of Microsoft Office packages.
Estimator in Newtownabbey employer: Combined Facilities Management Ltd
CFM is an exceptional employer, renowned for its commitment to employee development and a collaborative work culture in the heart of Northern Ireland's construction sector. With a focus on health, safety, quality, and environmental standards, employees benefit from ongoing training, clear career progression, and a supportive environment that values innovation and reliability. The comprehensive benefits package, including health and wellbeing support, life assurance, and retail discounts, further enhances the rewarding experience of working at CFM.
Contact Details:
Combined Facilities Management Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Estimator in Newtownabbey
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Combined Facilities Management Ltd, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Estimator at Combined Facilities Management Ltd.
We think you need these skills to ace Estimator in Newtownabbey
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Combined Facilities Management Ltd
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
