Senior Estimator in Compton

Senior Estimator in Compton

Compton Full-Time 42750 - 52250 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Whitehouse Construction Co Ltd

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and manage tender preparation for exciting civil engineering projects.
  • Company: Join a family-owned construction company with 49 years of experience.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, bonus scheme, and health support.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for skill development and career progression.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on major infrastructure projects while growing your career.
  • Qualifications: Experience in civil engineering estimating and strong commercial awareness.

The predicted salary is between 42750 - 52250 £ per year.

Whitehouse Construction is a family-owned civil engineering and construction company with over 49 years’ experience delivering high-quality civil engineering, infrastructure and environmental projects across the UK.

We work with a diverse range of clients, including major infrastructure providers such as National Grid, Environment Agency, STW, local authorities and blue-chip organisations.

Contract Values range from £50k to £5m.

We currently have the opportunity for an experienced

Senior Estimator to join our commercial team and play a key role in securing and delivering our future workload.

The Role

We are looking for an experienced

Senior Estimator with a strong civil engineering background who can take ownership of tenders from initial enquiry through to submission.

This is a key role within the business, requiring someone who can combine strong technical estimating capability with sound commercial judgement.

You will be responsible for producing accurate, competitive and commercially robust tenders across a range of civil engineering projects.

You will work closely with our Business Development and Bid Management Team, as well as clients and our supply chain, to develop tenders that are both commercially competitive and deliverable.

Key Responsibilities

  • Manage, mentor and support the existing estimating team including allocation of tenders.
  • Lead the preparation of detailed estimates and tenders for civil engineering projects.
  • Review drawings, specifications, scope of works and contract documentation to establish project requirements.
  • Undertake detailed quantity take-offs and measurements.
  • Develop labour, plant, material and subcontractor costs.
  • Prepare detailed first-principles and composite rate build-ups.
  • Obtain, assess and negotiate competitive quotations from suppliers and subcontractors.
  • Identify commercial, contractual, construction and programme risks within tender documentation.
  • Develop clear tender assumptions, exclusions, clarifications and qualifications.
  • Work with the operational team to ensure proposed methodologies and programmes are realistic and achievable.
  • Identify opportunities for value engineering and alternative construction methodologies.
  • Review and challenge supply chain quotations to ensure competitive pricing and appropriate scope coverage.
  • Prepare tender summaries and present estimates to senior management for review and approval prior to submission.
  • Ensure estimates are fully auditable and supported by appropriate records and calculations.
  • Maintain accurate tender documentation and contribute to the continual improvement of estimating processes and cost databases.
  • Support the commercial team during post-tender negotiations, clarification meetings and handover to the delivery team.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, consultants, suppliers and subcontractors.
  • The Experience We Are Looking For

The successful candidate will have substantial experience within civil engineering estimating , ideally gained within a main contractor or specialist civil engineering environment.

  • You Should Have a Strong Understanding Of
  • Groundworks and earthworks
  • Drainage and utilities
  • Highways and infrastructure
  • Concrete and structural works
  • Hard landscaping and external works
  • Plant and labour outputs
  • Material procurement and supply chains
  • Subcontract procurement
  • Construction methodologies and sequencing
  • NEC and/or JCT forms of contract
  • Construction programmes and preliminaries
  • Risk, opportunity and value engineering

You will be commercially astute and confident in challenging costs, assumptions and methodologies where necessary.

We are particularly interested in individuals who can estimate from first principles, rather than simply relying on historic rates.

  • What We Are Looking For In You
  • Commercially minded – able to understand not only what a project costs, but where the commercial risks and opportunities sit.
  • Technically competent – able to interpret construction information and understand how works will actually be delivered on site.
  • Accurate and analytical – capable of producing detailed estimates while maintaining a strong eye for detail.
  • Collaborative – comfortable working with operations, buying, commercial teams and the supply chain.
  • Proactive – able to identify risks, opportunities and missing information rather than simply pricing what is presented.
  • Organised – capable of managing multiple tenders and competing deadlines without compromising quality.
  • Confident – comfortable presenting estimates and recommendations to senior management and engaging directly with clients and suppliers.

What We Offer

This is an opportunity to join a growing, family-owned civil engineering business where the Senior Estimator will have genuine influence over the projects we pursue and the way we price and deliver them.

You will have the opportunity to work on a varied portfolio of civil engineering and infrastructure projects, with significant exposure to major clients and framework opportunities.

  • Competitive package including car allowance or EV/Hybrid company car
  • Company pension
  • Bonus Scheme
  • Critical illness insurance
  • A supportive, family-run working environment where people are valued
  • Access to Help@Hand, our employee health and wellbeing benefit, providing 24/7 GP access, mental health support, physiotherapy, second medical opinions and other wellbeing services
  • Free on-site parking
  • Opportunities to develop new skills and progress within the business

Whitehouse Construction is a Living Wage Employer and an Equal Opportunities Employer. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Please call

01335 344 000 , or e-mail careers@whc. ltd for any inquiries.

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Senior Estimator in Compton employer: Whitehouse Construction Co Ltd

Whitehouse Construction is an excellent employer for aspiring civil engineers, offering a hands-on career start in a dynamic and supportive environment. With a focus on professional development and exposure to diverse projects across the Midlands, employees benefit from a permanent role within a growing SME that values teamwork and innovation.

Whitehouse Construction Co Ltd

Contact Details:

Whitehouse Construction Co Ltd Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Estimator in Compton

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

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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 Senior Estimator at Whitehouse Construction Co Ltd.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Estimator in Compton

Civil Engineering Estimating
Tender Preparation
Quantity Take-offs
Cost Estimation
Commercial Judgement
Risk Assessment
Value Engineering

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 Whitehouse Construction Co 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!