At a Glance
- Tasks: Calculate build costs and collaborate with teams to deliver high-quality projects.
- Company: Join Willmott Dixon, a leader in sustainable construction with a rich history.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible benefits, competitive salary, and a focus on work-life balance.
- Other info: Diverse workplace with excellent career growth and recognition as a top employer.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in construction while working on exciting projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in estimating and a strong understanding of construction methods required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
We are currently recruiting for an Estimator to join our Construction Wales & West business. We deliver projects across multiple sectors, and this will be a hybrid role with a mix of office-based work in our Cardiff office and remote working. It's an exciting time to join our business, which has a solid current workbook, coupled with a strong pipeline portfolio for the next 2 to 3 years and beyond.
As the successful Estimator, you will calculate the build cost for our customers, ensuring we deliver the right net cost, on time, and to the highest quality for cost accuracy. You will collaborate with the wider preconstruction team and supply chain partners to ensure that we provide an accurate cost in line with the customer's requirements, project scope and current legislation, placing customer value at the forefront of delivering a perfect product.
Some of the key duties/responsibilities will include:
- Undertake project take-offs accurately and efficiently to produce cost plans and bills of quantities with a high degree of commercial and technical knowledge to the required level of detail (SMM7) and in accordance with the bid timescales.
- Ensure that all costs on the project are in accordance with the project scope, the customer's requirements and current legislation.
- Collaborate with the wider preconstruction team to secure and convert tender projects.
- Create robust accurate cost plans through the various design gateways up to target price.
- Guide the design team and inform the customer with respect to affordability.
- Use technical experience to identify opportunities and risks along with solutions to add value.
- Support the design discipline by costing change control items as identified and track through the RIBA Stages.
- Provide a complete and robust cost information pack during the substantiation process to the commercial build team at handover, to include completed comparisons, bills of quantities, tender book and quotations.
- Collaborate with the design lead to capture and include design fees in the tender summary book (consultants, statutory authorities, surveys, schedules, and the like).
- Assist in the change control process, identifying design changes between RIBA stages, advising on the impact of the change and approximate cost.
- Carry out cost assessments on alternative design solutions to inform the final design and project/customer budget.
Essential Criteria
- Experience of successfully completing framework & two stage style estimating jobs.
- Experience of taking off quantities up to SMM7 across a variety of works packages.
- Have experience of various construction methods.
- Experience of controlling costs, timing and quality in line with targets.
- Experience of reading and accurately interpreting drawings and technical specifications.
- Excellent standard of mathematical ability.
Desirable Criteria
- Minimum relevant level 4 qualification (HNC/NVQ4 etc).
- Relevant degree.
- Use Conquest Estimating System or similar.
- Working towards MCIOB/RICS.
Willmott Dixon embraces diversity in the workplace and will consider flexible and agile working. We are a disability confident employer.
Benefits: In return we reward our people generously with a competitive package that gives you flexible benefits to fit your lifestyle and priorities. This includes but is not limited to, an enhanced pension scheme, fully discounted private medical, life assurance, incentive bonus and a car scheme which will make us a market leader in sustainable company travel. Applicable roles will benefit from a motoring expenditure allowance (MEA) and everyone can access a new generation of low carbon and electric cars via the Willmott Dixon run car leasing scheme.
About Us: With over 170 years of rich history, Willmott Dixon's purpose is beyond profit; delivering brilliant buildings, transforming lives, strengthening communities and enhancing the environment so our world is fit for future generations. Ensuring that we add lasting value to the neighbourhoods we work in; our values, people, innovation, partnerships and focus on sustainability has allowed us to build a successful and solid privately owned business where our people can thrive.
Willmott Dixon was recognised by The Sunday Times as one of the Top 10 "Big" Companies to Work For in 2025, named among the Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality in 2024, and ranked in the Top Five of Europe's 1,000 best workplaces by the Financial Times in 2025. Willmott Dixon is also the first major contractor and developer to win a King's Award for Enterprise in the category of sustainable development.
Estimator in Cardiff employer: Willmott Dixon Group
Willmott Dixon is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters collaboration and innovation in the construction sector. With a strong commitment to employee growth, competitive benefits including flexible working arrangements, and a focus on sustainability, our Cardiff office provides a unique opportunity for Estimators to thrive while contributing to meaningful projects that enhance communities. Join us and be part of a company recognised for its outstanding workplace culture and dedication to making a positive impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Estimator in Cardiff
✨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 Willmott Dixon Group, 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 Estimator at Willmott Dixon Group.
We think you need these skills to ace Estimator in Cardiff
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 Willmott Dixon Group
✨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!
