Senior Project Cost Estimator in Newport

The Client

This is an opportunity to join a well-established Bristol-based building services contractor with a strong reputation for delivering technically considered mechanical projects across the South West. The business has built its name on practical engineering, quality delivery and a straightforward approach to working with clients. They are now looking to strengthen their pre-construction function with the appointment of a Senior Mechanical Estimator who can take proper ownership of tenders from first enquiry through to final submission.

The Role

As Senior Mechanical Estimator, you will lead the full pre-construction and tendering process, from initial bid/no-bid assessment through to final submission and client presentation. You will act as bid manager for new enquiries, reviewing the strategic fit, technical scope, risk, value and internal resource required before committing the business to a tender. You will manage a live tender programme and return schedule, planning and allocating internal resources across multiple concurrent bids. This will include coordinating input from estimators, engineers, suppliers and subcontractors, making sure technical decisions are made early enough to be properly priced.

A key part of the role will be identifying and managing tender risk. You will develop tender risk registers, highlighting technical, commercial and programme risks, and ensuring realistic mitigation strategies are built into the bid. You will also chair internal tender adjudication meetings and project handover meetings, making sure delivery teams receive a clear understanding of scope, assumptions, exclusions, risks, opportunities and cost breakdowns. This is a role that needs someone who can price work, but also lead the process around the price.

The Person

This role would suit an experienced Mechanical Estimator or Senior Mechanical Estimator with a strong background in building services. You will need to understand mechanical systems properly, including HVAC and wider mechanical services, and be confident reviewing drawings, specifications, tender documents, supplier quotations and subcontractor returns. The role requires someone who can keep control of deadlines, challenge risk, ask the right questions early and avoid rushed or poorly qualified submissions. You should be confident dealing with internal teams, engineers, suppliers, subcontractors and clients. This would suit someone who wants to be closer to the front end of project strategy, rather than simply being handed drawings and asked to put a number on it.

The Package

The company is offering a competitive salary and package, depending on experience. The role offers the chance to join a growing Bristol-based contractor in a senior pre-construction position, with genuine influence over tender strategy, project selection and the way work is secured. For the right person, this is a strong long-term opportunity to help shape the estimating and pre-construction function within a business that values technical quality, commercial discipline and proper project delivery.

Why It Might Be Worth a Conversation

If you are already working in mechanical estimating and feel your current role has become too narrow, too reactive or too focused on volume rather than quality, this could be worth exploring. This is a role where you can take ownership of the tender process, influence bid strategy, mentor others and help decide which projects the business should actually pursue.