Senior Estimator
Working closely with clients, subcontractors, suppliers and internal delivery teams, you will identify risks and opportunities while producing commercially sound tenders that align with company objectives.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the preparation of estimates for civil engineering and groundworks projects.
- Review tender documentation including drawings, specifications, BOQs and contract information.
- Prepare detailed first-principles estimates where required.
- Obtain and evaluate subcontractor and supplier quotations.
- Build accurate labour, plant and material cost models.
- Identify project risks and opportunities during the tender stage.
- Develop value engineering solutions to improve competitiveness.
- Liaise with planners to develop construction methodologies and programmes.
- Attend pre-tender meetings, site visits and client interviews.
- Prepare tender adjudication documentation for senior management.
- Produce tender submissions within agreed deadlines.
- Assist with post-tender negotiations and clarifications.
- Maintain estimating databases, cost libraries and historical pricing information.
- Support junior estimators and contribute to continuous improvement within the estimating function.
- Work collaboratively with commercial, operational and design teams throughout the pre-construction process.
Project Types
Typical projects may include:
- Groundworks
- Roads and highways
- Section 278 & 38 works
- Earthworks
- Drainage
- Reinforced concrete structures
- Foundations
- Utilities
- Industrial developments
- Commercial developments
- Residential infrastructure
- Education and healthcare schemes
- Public realm works
- Project values typically range from £500k to £50m+.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Proven experience as a Senior Estimator within civil engineering and/or groundworks.
- Strong understanding of construction methodologies.
- Experience producing first-principles estimates.
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings and specifications.
- Excellent commercial awareness.
- Strong knowledge of labour outputs, plant utilisation and material pricing.
- Experience managing multiple tenders simultaneously.
- Strong negotiation and communication skills.
- High level of attention to detail.
- Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
Technical Knowledge
- Experience pricing works including:
- Bulk earthworks
- Foundations
- Piling interfaces
- Reinforced concrete
- Drainage
- Roads and pavements
- Kerbing
- External works
- Utilities
- Retaining structures
- Hard landscaping
- Software Experience
- Experience with one or more of the following:
- Causeway Estimating
- Candy
- ConQuest
- CostX
- Bluebeam
- Microsoft Excel (Advanced)
- Microsoft Project (desirable)
Qualifications
Essential:
- HNC/HND or Degree in Quantity Surveying, Civil Engineering or Construction Management (or equivalent experience).
- Full UK Driving Licence.
If you are interested in this role, please apply and send in your up to date CV and Coyles Walsall will be in touch