Estimator

Job Specification: Estimator (Bedford Office)

Location: Bedford (Office-based with 2 days work from home)

Salary: £50K - £68K, depending on experience

Package: Car Allowance, Pension, Holidays

About Us:

We specialize in delivering retail frameworks for both high-end clients and well-known high street names. Our projects span a range of sectors, including retail, leisure, hotels, and office spaces, where we provide full design and build services. From fit-out to full-build projects, we work on a variety of exciting and high-profile contracts, offering innovative solutions and exceptional quality. Our expertise in the retail industry allows us to deliver complex and fast-paced projects with a focus on customer satisfaction, safety, and sustainability.

Job Purpose:

To produce accurate and competitive cost estimates for construction projects, identifying risks and associated costs, and managing the flow of information to the operational team post-project award.

Key Responsibilities:

Enquiry Review & Tender Preparation:

Receive and thoroughly review enquiry documentation, ensuring full understanding of project scope and requirements.

Fully understand the information required for tender submission, and the associated timelines.

Establish the resources needed to produce a comprehensive bid.

Manage the issue of information and actions to the bid team, ensuring the timely collection of data, including issuing formal Requests for Information (RFIs) as necessary.

Liaison & Site Surveys:

Liaise with subcontractors and suppliers to gather quotes and clarify project requirements.

Arrange and attend site surveys with the bid team and subcontractors to ensure all site-specific information is captured.

Costing & Risk Management:

Prepare a comprehensive and traded costing document, utilizing built-up rates, supply chain quotes, and other relevant sources.

Ensure that project costs align with the proposed project programme.

Identify risks and recommend additional costs where applicable to account for unforeseen circumstances or challenges.

Collaboration & Negotiation:

Adjudicate net costs with the Commercial Director, agreeing on the percentage uplift levels for overhead, risk, and profit across the estimate.

Prepare and collate all elements of the tender, including Form of Tender, project programme, priced schedule, methodology statement, and non-collusion statement as required.

Tender Submission:

Submit the tender in the required format and timescale, ensuring that all necessary documentation is provided in compliance with client requirements.

Skills & Qualifications:

Practical & Methodical Thinking:

Ability to approach complex problems with a logical, practical mindset and a methodical way of thinking.

Creative and innovative approach to problem-solving, providing solutions that address both challenges and opportunities.

Time Management & Planning:

Ability to plan work, manage resources, and achieve deadlines effectively, while coordinating with various team members.

Ability to view enquiries at both a holistic and detailed level to ensure accuracy in the estimate.

Financial & Numerical Competence:

Strong numeracy and financial management skills, with the ability to learn and apply sophisticated design and costing IT packages.

A keen eye for detail to ensure that all costs are captured and accurately represented in the tender.

Communication & Negotiation:

Ability to write clearly and concisely, conveying complex information in a way that is easily understood by a diverse range of stakeholders.

Strong negotiation skills with the ability to influence and motivate the project team and subcontractors.

Industry Knowledge & Experience:

Detailed knowledge of current building and construction technology, processes, materials, and legal matters.

Thorough understanding of current market rates for construction elements, including labour, materials, and subcontracting costs.

Understanding of how site safety, environmental, and quality requirements affect project costs.

Costing Impact Awareness:

An appreciation of how programmed labour levels impact construction costs and project scheduling.

Additional Information:

This role involves working collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team, ensuring that all costs and risks are accurately captured and reflected in the project bid.

The Estimator will need to work efficiently to ensure the timely submission of tenders, while maintaining a focus on quality and compliance.

Salary & Benefits:

Salary: £50K - £68K per annum (dependent on experience)

Package:

Car Allowance

Pension Scheme

25 days of annual holiday

2 days working from home per week