Bid Estimator – Ventro Active Division (Part of Ventro Group)
Full-time, permanent | Office-based, Plymouth, with occasional site visits
About Ventro Group
Ventro Group is a leading fire safety and building compliance business, backed by private equity investment from KLAR Partners. Through our brands (Ventro, Firntec, HJS and RD Jukes) we deliver fire protection, fire alarm, fire door, façade and electrical services across the UK. We are growing fast and investing in our people.
The Role
We are looking for an accurate, commercially minded Bid/Active Estimator to join our Active division (active fire protection) in Plymouth. You may have worked as an Estimator, Bid Estimator, Cost Estimator, Commercial Estimator or Tendering Estimator.
As Bid/Active Estimator, you will:
- Review tender documents, drawings and specifications, raise clarifications, and carry out quantity take-offs
- Build up labour, materials, plant and subcontract costs from first principles and price to the division's target margin
- Obtain, compare and challenge supplier and subcontractor quotes, and clearly flag risks, exclusions and assumptions
- Put together complete, compliant tender submissions to deadline
- Price variations, additional works, change orders and reactive or remedial works on live projects
- Hand won work over to operations with a clear breakdown of how the price was built
- Compare final costs against tendered prices and feed lessons back into the rates library, keeping the estimating log and supplier pricing up to date
What We're Looking For
- Experience as an estimator in fire safety, security, electrical or building services
- Confident reading drawings and specifications and taking off quantities
- Strong Excel skills - building price breakdowns from first principles (labour, materials, plant and subcontract)
- Experience obtaining and comparing supplier and subcontractor quotes
- Able to manage several live tenders against competing deadlines, with good attention to detail
- Clear written and verbal communication with clients, suppliers and colleaguesExperience with estimating or CRM software, and a full UK driving licence for occasional site visits, are welcome but not essential
- Knowledge of fire alarm, emergency lighting or suppression systems and standards such as BS 5839 and BS 5266 is a plus
- Awareness of the Building Safety Act 2022 and how competence and change control affect scope and pricing is a plus
You don't need the exact title "Bid/Active Estimator". Many of our best people came from estimating, quantity surveying or commercial roles across fire and security, electrical, mechanical, building services or wider construction.
Our Values
Right from the Start | Extreme Ownership | Day 1 Mindset
What We Offer
- Career progression in a PE-backed, high-growth business
- Training and development
- Additional leave, company pension, cycle-to-work scheme, health and wellbeing programme, on-site parking, referral programme and company events
Ventro Group values diversity and promotes equality. No terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate against any of the protected characteristics that fall under the Equality Act 2010. We encourage and welcome applications from all sections of society and are happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and/or additional arrangements to support your application.
Note: Ventro Group prefer to hire directly and will be in touch with our PSL Agencies if this role is eligible. We do not accept speculative CVs and no fee will be applicable if sent.
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Bid Estimator - Fire safety in Plymouth employer: Ventro
Ventro Group is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where employees can thrive in the fast-paced fire safety and building compliance sector. With a strong focus on professional development, competitive salaries, and a supportive team culture, we empower our staff to take ownership of their roles while making a meaningful impact on public safety. Join us at this exciting time of growth and be part of a company that values quality, innovation, and collaboration.
