At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct site surveys, prepare tenders, and manage project costs in a dynamic construction environment.
- Company: Join an award-winning construction company dedicated to preserving heritage and delivering exceptional results.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, pension scheme, healthcare, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Exciting opportunities for growth in a rapidly expanding company.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team creating beautiful buildings and making a real impact in the community.
- Qualifications: Experience in heritage projects and strong surveying skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Excellent opportunity for a Commercial Assistant / Estimator to join a leading construction company based in Bury St Edmunds.
Salary: Negotiable
Location: Bury St Edmunds head office with multi-site travel
Job Type: Full Time Permanent
Reports to: Company Director
Benefits: Competitive salary, pension scheme, healthcare, annual leave
The Company
They provide professional building services across Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, and across the region. As award-winning building contractors, they combine traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques to deliver exceptional results on every project. They are a team of passionate craftspeople committed to creating and restoring beautiful buildings and preserving our heritage for future generations. From new builds and extensions to heritage restorations, they handle projects of all sizes with precision and care. They are a rapidly growing company, and committed to recruiting talented, experienced and dedicated professionals.
Key Responsibilities
- Pre-Construction & Site Surveying
- Site Inspections: Conduct thorough physical site surveys and inspections of historic buildings to assess existing conditions, access constraints, and structural layouts before pricing.
- Defect Identification: Identify visible and potential hidden defects, structural decay, and fabric issues characteristic of heritage buildings to ensure accurate risk pricing.
- Tender Preparation: Analyse site survey findings alongside drawings, specifications, and schedules of works to produce precise, competitive tenders.
- Detailed Take-Offs: Perform precise measured take-offs from both physical site dimensions and design drawings for bespoke, high-end, and historical elements.
- Supply Chain Engagement: Coordinate site visits for specialist subcontractors (e.g., stonemasons, lime plasterers) to secure accurate, project-specific quotes.
- Post-Contract & Quantity Surveying
- Cost Management: Administer contracts (e.g., JCT) and maintain robust cost planning, budgeting, and financial reporting throughout the project lifecycle.
- Subcontractor Accounts: Manage the commercial aspects of subcontractor accounts, including processing payments and agreeing final accounts.
- Cash Flow & Reporting: Forecast costs, prepare monthly Cost value reconciliation (CVR) reports, and assist with smooth project handovers.
- Cost Control & Budgeting: Monitor ongoing project expenditures in real-time, handle cost-value reconciliations (CVR), and execute value engineering to optimize costs.
- Invoicing & Billing: Generate, verify, and raise project invoices accurately based on completed on-site milestones.
- Variations: Track and price project variations and handle interim payment applications.
Essential Qualifications & Experience
- Heritage Experience: Some experience successfully estimating, surveying, and managing costs within the heritage or conservation sector.
- Technical Knowledge: Strong understanding of traditional building techniques, sympathetic material sourcing, historic structural repairs, and building defects.
- Surveying Skills: Proven ability to accurately measure and survey existing historic buildings manually and using digital tools.
- Commercial Acumen: Degree or HNC/HND in Quantity Surveying, Estimating, or Construction Management (desirable).
- Travel Requirements: Full UK driving license and willingness to travel to various project sites as required.
If you have the relevant skills/attributes to fulfil this role and want to be part of a rapidly growing company then please apply now for immediate consideration.
The employer fully supports Equality in Employment. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit and business need.
Commercial Assistant / Estimator in Woolpit employer: Recruitment Helpline
RECRUITMENT HELPLINE is an excellent employer for Mobile HVAC Service Engineers, offering a dynamic work environment that values employee growth and development. With competitive salaries, door-to-door travel compensation, and a strong focus on teamwork and customer engagement, employees can expect a rewarding career while working across diverse sectors throughout the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Assistant / Estimator in Woolpit
✨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 Recruitment Helpline, 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 Commercial Assistant / Estimator at Recruitment Helpline.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Assistant / Estimator in Woolpit
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 Recruitment Helpline
✨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!
