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
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Analyse tender documentation (drawings, specifications, schedules) for mechanical works on residential and housing projects.
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Prepare detailed mechanical cost estimates, including labour, plant, materials, subcontract packages and prelims.
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Engage and coordinate with specialist subcontractors and suppliers to obtain pricing, assess viability and drive value engineering.
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Identify and quantify mechanical scope, phasing, risk items and build logistics specific to residential developments.
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Work with design and BIM teams to review M&E layouts and co-ordinate mechanical systems input. Briggs & Forrester
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Maintain and update historical cost databases, benchmarking and tender feedback for continuous improvement.
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Contribute to tender submissions including risk registers, assumptions, clarifications and commercial commentary.
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Liaise with senior commercial staff to ensure alignment on pricing strategy, margin and contract terms.
Essential Experience & Skills
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Demonstrable mechanical estimating experience in the residential sector (new-build housing, apartments or similar).
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Strong knowledge of mechanical building services (heating, plumbing, ventilation, chilled/hot water systems) in a contracting environment.
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Ability to interpret drawings, specifications and schedules for mechanical works.
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Proficiency in cost breakdown, labour and material pricing, subcontractor procurement and enabling cost input.
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Good commercial awareness and ability to challenge/optimise design and specification for cost effectiveness.
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Excellent communication (written and verbal) and good numeracy/analytical skills.
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Ability to work under pressure to meet tender deadlines and handle multiple estimating streams.
Desirable
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Exposure to use of BIM, 3-D coordination and early design input in mechanical estimating. Briggs & Forrester
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Experience in liaising with housebuilders and residential contractors.
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Working knowledge of NEC or JCT contract conditions and risk apportionment.
What’s On Offer
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A key commercial role within a specialist residential building services business.
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Opportunity to work on high-profile residential and housing schemes.
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Career development and strong internal support with access to design, BIM and delivery teams.
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Based in Northampton with travel as required to project/supplier meetings