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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