At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare detailed estimates for exciting water and wastewater civil engineering projects.
- Company: Join a leading company in the water sector with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible home working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative team environment with strong career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on vital infrastructure projects that benefit communities.
- Qualifications: Degree or HND in civil engineering or related field; experience in estimating is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Description
Costain have won extensive work across the water sector to support the AMP8 investment cycle.
The estimating function within the division is growing to facilitate the increased volume of works being forecast over the next 5 years, with projects varying from £5m to over £250m in value, covering both infrastructure and non-infrastructure assets on water and wastewater sites.
This key role will support confirmed demand with Southern Water, Northumbrian Water, Severn Trent Water, Thames Water and United Utilities as well as new opportunities being pursued across the Water/Wastewater sector.
This role will be home based and will be working closely with the pre-construction, commercial, engineering and operational teams to play a key role in identifying project requirements, assessing risk and opportunity, and developing bids that support successful project delivery.
Responsibilities
- Prepare detailed and accurate estimates for water and wastewater civil engineering projects.
- Review tender documents, drawings, specifications, schedules and scopes of work.
- Develop detailed pricing for civil engineering activities including:
- Earthworks and excavation
- Reinforced concrete and structures
- Pipelines and utilities
- Roads, access and drainage
- Treatment works and associated infrastructure
- Temporary works and site establishment
- Mechanical and electrical interfaces - Obtain and analyse quotations from subcontractors and suppliers.
- Develop bills of quantities, rates, build-ups and resource requirements.
- Liaise with designers, engineers, suppliers, subcontractors and clients to clarify scope and technical requirements.
- Identify project risks, assumptions, exclusions and opportunities and ensure these are reflected within the estimate.
- Support the development of construction methodologies and programmes to inform accurate pricing.
- Undertake value engineering and identify opportunities to improve project efficiency and cost.
- Maintain accurate estimating records and ensure estimates are produced in accordance with company procedures.
- Present estimates and tender submissions to senior management and operational teams.
- Support tender negotiations and post-tender clarifications.
- Carry out benchmarking and review historical project data to improve estimating accuracy.
- Support the handover of successful tenders to the commercial and project delivery teams
- Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Previous experience as a Civils Estimator within the construction, civil engineering or infrastructure sector.
- Experience estimating projects within the water and wastewater sector is highly desirable.
- Strong understanding of civil engineering construction methods, materials, plant and labour requirements.
- Experience pricing works involving pipelines, earthworks, concrete structures, drainage and water infrastructure.
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications and tender documentation.
- Strong commercial awareness with an understanding of project costs, risks and margins.
- Experience obtaining and evaluating subcontractor and supplier quotations.
- Strong numerical and analytical skills with excellent attention to detail.
- Good knowledge of estimating and cost management systems (Candy - Desirable), together with strong Microsoft Excel skills.
- Ability to work to tight deadlines while maintaining accuracy.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary pre-construction team.
Qualifications
- Degree/HND level qualified or equivalent in civil engineering, Quantity Surveying, Construction or a related discipline.
- Relevant professional qualification or membership of a recognised industry body.
- Experience working on major UK water infrastructure programmes such as AMP delivery programmes
Estimator (Civils) employer: Costain Group
Costain is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters collaboration and innovation within the water sector. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide opportunities for professional development and the chance to work on significant projects that make a real impact. Our home-based role allows for flexibility while being part of a supportive team dedicated to delivering excellence in civil engineering.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Estimator (Civils)
✨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 Costain Group, 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 (Civils) at Costain Group.
We think you need these skills to ace Estimator (Civils)
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 Costain Group
✨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!
