Position: Mechanical Estimator Location: Northampton Contract Type: Full-time, permanent About the Company Join a specialist building services contractor operating across residential, student accommodation and housing sectors, delivering end-to-end mechanical, electrical and plumbing solutions for new-build developments and refurbishments in the Midlands and beyond. Role Overview The Mechanical Estimator will play a key role in securing new projects by preparing accurate, competitive mechanical cost estimates. You’ll be working closely with pre-construction and project teams to ensure tender submissions reflect the project scope, risk, subcontractor input and buildability considerations. The role demands strong residential sector experience, particularly with new-build housing and multi-unit schemes. Key Responsibilities * Analyse tender documentation (drawings, specifications, schedules) for mechanical works on residential and housing projects. * Prepare detailed mechanical cost estimates, including labour, plant, materials, subcontract packages and prelims. * Engage and coordinate with specialist subcontractors and suppliers to obtain pricing, assess viability and drive value engineering. * Identify and quantify mechanical scope, phasing, risk items and build logistics specific to residential developments. * Work with design and BIM teams to review M&E layouts and co-ordinate mechanical systems input. Briggs & Forrester * Maintain and update historical cost databases, benchmarking and tender feedback for continuous improvement. * Contribute to tender submissions including risk registers, assumptions, clarifications and commercial commentary. * Liaise with senior commercial staff to ensure alignment on pricing strategy, margin and contract terms. Essential Experience & Skills * Demonstrable mechanical estimating experience in the residential sector (new-build housing, apartments or similar). * Strong knowledge of mechanical building services (heating, plumbing, ventilation, chilled/hot water systems) in a contracting environment. * Ability to interpret drawings, specifications and schedules for mechanical works. * Proficiency in cost breakdown, labour and material pricing, subcontractor procurement and enabling cost input. * Good commercial awareness and ability to challenge/optimise design and specification for cost effectiveness. * Excellent communication (written and verbal) and good numeracy/analytical skills. * Ability to work under pressure to meet tender deadlines and handle multiple estimating streams. Desirable * Exposure to use of BIM, 3-D coordination and early design input in mechanical estimating. Briggs & Forrester * Experience in liaising with housebuilders and residential contractors. * Working knowledge of NEC or JCT contract conditions and risk apportionment. What’s On Offer * A key commercial role within a specialist residential building services business. * Opportunity to work on high-profile residential and housing schemes. * Career development and strong internal support with access to design, BIM and delivery teams. * Based in Northampton with travel as required to project/supplier meetings