At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare competitive cost estimates and support the tender process in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Established business in Dartford with a focus on mechanical and electrical engineering.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, structured training, and career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Exciting growth potential with exposure to diverse contracts and projects.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career in estimating with hands-on experience and mentorship from industry experts.
- Qualifications: Background in mechanical/electrical engineering or construction; strong analytical skills required.
Location: Dartford, Kent (Hybrid Working)
Salary: £40,000 – £45,000 DOE
Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Working Pattern: Hybrid – Minimum 3 days in the office
About the Role
We are recruiting for a Junior Estimator (M&E) to join a well-established business based in Dartford. This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious and commercially minded individual with a background in mechanical and electrical engineering, building services or construction who is looking to develop their career within estimating and bid management. The successful candidate will be responsible for preparing accurate and competitive cost estimates, reviewing tender documentation, obtaining subcontractor quotations and supporting the wider tender process. You will gain exposure to a variety of contracts, with values ranging from £10,000 to £400,000, while receiving structured training, mentoring and opportunities for career progression.
Key Responsibilities
- Review tender documents, specifications, drawings and asset registers to understand contract requirements.
- Prepare accurate and competitive cost estimates covering labour, materials, travel, equipment, subcontractors and overheads.
- Analyse asset information to calculate labour requirements and associated costs.
- Identify commercial risks, exclusions, assumptions and clarifications within tender submissions.
- Prepare pricing schedules and ensure tender submissions are completed within deadlines.
- Obtain and compare competitive quotations from subcontractors and suppliers, negotiating to achieve best value.
- Maintain accurate pricing models, estimating records and cost information.
- Support the wider tender process, including bid planning, tender reviews and submissions.
- Attend site visits and surveys to assess requirements and gather relevant information.
- Work closely with engineers, contract managers and operational teams to develop effective pricing and delivery strategies.
- Support the preparation of quality tender responses and contribute to continuous improvement.
- Develop knowledge of bid management, commercial processes and business development.
The Ideal Candidate
- Some experience or a relevant qualification in mechanical and electrical engineering, building services, construction or a related field.
- Good technical understanding of M&E building systems, including HVAC, electrical distribution and fire safety systems.
- Strong numerical and analytical skills with excellent attention to detail.
- Confident using Microsoft Excel to analyse data, prepare calculations and manage pricing information.
- Ability to interpret technical drawings, specifications and schedules.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines.
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills when dealing with suppliers and subcontractors.
- Commercially aware, with an understanding of costs, margins and contract risks.
- Proactive, motivated and eager to learn and develop.
- Full UK driving licence, with the ability to attend site visits when required.
Desirable Experience:
- Previous experience within facilities management, building services, construction or estimating.
- Knowledge of planned maintenance standards such as SFG20.
- Understanding of statutory compliance requirements relating to building services.
- Experience obtaining and negotiating subcontractor quotations.
- Familiarity with estimating software, CAFM systems or Power BI.
- Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables and lookup functions.
- A degree, HNC/HND or equivalent qualification in a relevant engineering or construction discipline.
What's on Offer?
- Competitive salary of £40,000 – £45,000, depending on experience.
- Hybrid working arrangement.
- Structured estimating training and ongoing professional development.
- Mentoring and support from experienced senior management.
- Opportunity to manage your own portfolio of contracts.
- Exposure to the full tender and bid management process.
- Clear career progression opportunities into Estimator, Senior Estimator, Bid Manager or Business Development roles.
- Pension, holiday entitlement and additional benefits, including private healthcare (details to be confirmed).
Apply Today! If you have a technical background in mechanical and electrical engineering or building services and are looking to develop a career within estimating, we would love to hear from you. Apply now or get in touch to find out more about this exciting opportunity.
Junior Estimator in Dartford employer: Pearson Whiffin Recruitment Ltd
Join a dynamic and innovative team as a Manufacturing Engineer in Medway, where you'll have the opportunity to lead impactful production engineering projects and drive continuous improvement initiatives. Our supportive work culture fosters collaboration and professional growth, offering you the chance to enhance your skills while contributing to cutting-edge manufacturing processes. With competitive salary packages and a commitment to employee development, we are dedicated to creating a rewarding environment for our engineers.
Contact Details:
Pearson Whiffin Recruitment Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Estimator in Dartford
✨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 Pearson Whiffin Recruitment 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 Junior Estimator at Pearson Whiffin Recruitment Ltd.
We think you need these skills to ace Junior Estimator in Dartford
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 Pearson Whiffin Recruitment 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!
