Job Title: Estimator (Social Housing Refurbishment & Decarbonisation)
Location: Wigan
Project Locations: Across the M60 / M62 Corridor (Wigan to Leeds)
Salary: Up to £60,000 (dependent on experience)
Type: Permanent
Interview Process: One-stage interview
Start Date: ASAP
Overview
Our client is a well-established contractor specialising in social housing refurbishment and decarbonisation schemes. Due to continued growth, they are looking to appoint an Intermediate to Senior-level Estimator to strengthen their commercial team.
This role would suit a commercially minded Estimator (or Quantity Surveyor looking to move into estimating) who understands how to build rates, assess risk, and produce realistic, deliverable costings, rather than relying on textbook estimating alone.
Key Responsibilities
Estimating
1. Preparing detailed cost estimates for social housing refurbishment and decarbonisation projects
2. Building up rates from first principles to create a full commercial picture
3. Reviewing drawings, specifications, schedules of works, and employer's requirements
4. Producing accurate tenders using Excel
5. Liaising with supply chain and subcontractors to obtain competitive pricing
6. Identifying commercial risks and opportunities within tenders
7. Supporting value engineering and alternative proposals
Commercial & Business Awareness
8. Applying a commercial and business-focused mindset to all estimates
9. Understanding delivery constraints and ensuring tenders are realistic and achievable
10. Working closely with the wider commercial and delivery teams
11. Contributing to continuous improvement of estimating processes
Candidate Requirements
12. Intermediate to Senior-level experience in an Estimator role
13. Background in social housing refurbishment and/or decarbonisation schemes (essential)
14. Experience working for a contractor (not developer-side)
15. Strong commercial awareness with the ability to build rates from scratch
16. Confident using Excel for estimating and cost analysis
17. Ability to work from the office with regular site visits
18. Organised, analytical, and detail-oriented
Desirable
19. Quantity Surveying background with a clear interest in an Estimator role
20. Experience working within planned maintenance, retrofit, or energy efficiency works
21. Familiarity with public sector or framework-based tenders
Working Environment
22. Office-based role with site visits as required
23. Part of an established team of Estimators and Commercial Assistants
24. Supportive and collaborative commercial team structure
25. Projects located across the North West and Yorkshire (Wigan to Leeds corridor)
What's on Offer
26. Salary up to £60,000
27. Secure workload within the social housing sector
28. Fast hiring process (one-stage interview)
29. Opportunity to join a growing business with long-term frameworks
30. Immediate start available