Senior Estimator Construction in Luton
About the role
Watford (with hybrid working)
About Us
At Elmcroft, we are a family-run groundworks specialist with nearly five decades of experience supporting the modular construction sector. From site surveys through to civils construction and final landscaping, we deliver turnkey groundwork and enabling solutions that help our partners bring projects to life. Built on strong relationships, ethical working practices and a commitment to quality, our reputation has been forged through reliable delivery and exceptional service.
We are now looking for a Senior Estimator to join us on a full-time, permanent basis, working Monday to Friday, 7:30am - 4:30pm.
The Benefits
- Salary of up to £90,000, depending on experience
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Discretionary Bonus Plan (after three months)
- Pension scheme
- Genuine autonomy and career progression
- One day working from home per week after the onboarding period
This is a fantastic opportunity for a talented groundworks, earthworks or civils estimator with specific expertise in drainage, foundations, concrete works, externals and associated civils to join our specialist construction firm.
What's more, you'll discover a market-leading rewards package, significant benefits and real growth and enhancement prospects, coupled with hybrid working, giving you flexibility in how you work to top off this exceptional role.
The Role
As a Senior Estimator, you will lead our estimating function, taking responsibility for the preparation, management and continuous improvement of bids across a wide range of groundworks and civils projects.
Delivering a pipeline of up to 20-30 small and large tenders each week, you will ensure every submission is accurate, competitive and supported by clear assumptions, risk ownership and pricing integrity.
You will help strengthen our supply chain, improve margin reliability and build scalable estimating processes that support future growth. You will also play an important role in shaping the future of the department, creating the foundations for the development of an estimating team.
Additionally, you will:
- Produce bids for projects valued up to £3m+
- Prepare take-offs and cost estimates
- Manage commercial and delivery risks
- Drive value engineering opportunities
- Lead handovers into project delivery teams
About You
To be considered as a Senior Estimator, you will need:
- Proven estimating experience in groundworks, earthworks or civils
- Strong ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications and tender documentation
- Confidence producing take-offs and pricing for drainage, foundations, concrete works, externals and associated civils
- Strong commercial judgement with the ability to identify risk, challenge ambiguity and protect margin through assumptions and clarifications
- The ability to manage a mixed tender pipeline with calm prioritisation
- Strong communication skills with the ability to explain pricing logic, risks and options to non-estimators
- Strong IT and digital capability, including Bluebeam and Excel for analysis, comparisons and audit trails
- High attention to detail with a track record of estimates that stand up in delivery
Other organisations may call this role Estimation Manager, Lead Estimator, Senior Civils Estimator, Senior Groundworks Estimator, Pre-Construction Estimator, Civils Estimator, Commercial Estimator, Construction Estimator, or Pre-Construction Manager.
Webrecruit and Elmcroft are equal opportunities employers, value diversity and are strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment.
So, if you want to develop your career as a Senior Estimator, please apply via the button shown.
Your tasks
Lead estimating for groundworks and civils projects, managing bids and improving processes.
Your profile
Proven estimating experience in groundworks or civils and strong communication skills.
What's also included
Up to £90,000 salary, 25 days holiday, hybrid working, and career progression.
Tech stack & ways of working
Senior Estimator Construction in Luton employer: Elmcroft Construction
At Elmcroft, we pride ourselves on being a family-run groundworks specialist that values strong relationships and ethical practices. As a Senior Estimator, you'll enjoy a competitive salary of up to £90,000, generous holiday allowance, and the flexibility of hybrid working, all while having genuine autonomy in your role. With a commitment to employee growth and a market-leading rewards package, Elmcroft offers an exceptional work culture where your expertise will help shape the future of our estimating function.
View Elmcroft Construction profile
Your perspectives
Join a dynamic team and shape the future of estimating in construction.
StudySmarter Expert Advice
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 Elmcroft Construction, 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 Senior Estimator Construction at Elmcroft Construction.
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 Elmcroft Construction
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!
Locations
- Luton
