At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare competitive estimates for water and civil engineering projects across the South West.
- Company: Established drainage and civil engineering contractor with a growing pre-construction team.
- Benefits: Enhanced leave, company pension, Bupa healthcare, and career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Proactive environment with opportunities for continuous improvement and personal growth.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact on essential water infrastructure projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in estimating within water or civil engineering and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
Estimator – Water & Civil Engineering
Location: South West England Job Type: Permanent Salary: Competitive, depending on experience
The Opportunity
An established drainage and civil engineering contractor is looking for an experienced Estimator to join its growing pre-construction team.
The role will focus mainly on drinking water infrastructure projects, alongside wastewater, drainage and sewer network schemes delivered under long-term framework contracts across the South West.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare accurate and competitive estimates for water, wastewater, drainage and civil engineering projects.
- Scope and price works using framework rates, first-principles pricing and agreed schedules.
- Review drawings, specifications, site information and client requirements.
- Manage several estimates and tender opportunities at different stages.
- Produce all necessary tender, pre-construction and CDM documentation.
- Work in line with NEC4 contracts and client framework agreements.
- Liaise with clients to clarify project needs and respond to pricing or technical queries.
- Maintain accurate information within internal and client management systems.
- Work closely with commercial, operational and delivery teams to ensure projects are correctly priced and achievable.
- Support continuous improvements to estimating systems and processes.
Skills and Experience
- Previous estimating experience within water, drainage, utilities or civil engineering.
- Water or wastewater industry experience is essential.
- Experience working with public or private sewer networks would be advantageous.
- Knowledge of framework rates, first-principles pricing and NEC contracts.
- Strong numerical, commercial and analytical skills.
- Confident using Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
- Able to interpret drawings, specifications and contract documentation.
- Strong communication, organisation and client-facing skills.
- Proactive, self-motivated and comfortable working independently or within a team.
Benefits
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave and pay.
- Company pension.
- Bupa healthcare.
- Refer-a-friend scheme.
- Training and career progression opportunities
Estimator - Water Infrastructure & Civil Engineering in St Austell employer: Key Talent Solutions
Key Talent Solutions is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture in Birmingham, UK. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer continuous professional development opportunities and the chance to work on cutting-edge offsite prefabricated projects. Our commitment to producing high-quality, coordinated MEP models ensures that you will be part of a team that values excellence and creativity in building services.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Estimator - Water Infrastructure & Civil Engineering in St Austell
✨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 Key Talent Solutions, 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 - Water Infrastructure & Civil Engineering at Key Talent Solutions.
We think you need these skills to ace Estimator - Water Infrastructure & Civil Engineering in St Austell
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 Key Talent Solutions
✨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!