Senior Estimator

Position: Senior Estimator
Location: West Malling
Employment type: Full-time, permanent

Role Overview

As Senior Estimator you will take a leading role in preparing detailed and accurate cost estimates, bids and tenders for new build, refurbishment, fit-out, industrial, commercial or mixed-use construction projects. You ll be responsible for reviewing drawings and specifications, compiling material/labour/equipment cost breakdowns, assessing subcontractor quotes, labour preliminaries and overheads ensuring competitive yet profitable bids. You ll also collaborate with internal teams (project managers, site teams, designers) to align bids with company requirements and project objectives.

Key Responsibilities
• Analyse project drawings, specifications and client requirements to produce detailed cost estimates and tender documents.
• Prepare bills of quantities, material take-offs, labour and plant cost breakdowns, preliminaries, subcontractor quotes, contingencies and mark-ups.
• Lead and manage the full tender/estimation process from initial enquiry to final submission.
• Liaise with subcontractors, suppliers, internal design and project teams to gather accurate cost data.
• Evaluate project risks (e.g. structural complexity, ground conditions, scope changes) and include risk allowances appropriately in bids.
• Maintain and update internal cost databases, benchmarking data and historical cost records.
• Contribute to commercial strategy advise on pricing strategies, cost control, value engineering and profitability.
• Support post-tender feedback and bid review, help continuous improvement of estimation processes.

Candidate Requirements / Person Specification

Essential:
• Significant experience as Estimator / Senior Estimator in construction (new build, refurbishment, industrial or commercial projects) ideally with exposure to projects
• Strong understanding of construction materials, labour rates, subcontractor costing, plant & preliminaries.
• Competency in cost estimating and take-off software / spreadsheets (e.g. Excel, estimation/BQ software).
• Desirable:
• Experience in civil, industrial or infrastructure-type projects, or groundworks/structural elements.
• Understanding of health & safety, contract preliminaries, risk allowances, value engineering.
• Familiarity with subcontractor and supply-chain markets in Kent / South-East.