Job Description: Estimator (Housing/Social Housing Sector)
Location: North London
Salary: £60,000 – £80,000 (subject to experience)
Contract Type: Full-Time
Overview
We are seeking an experienced Estimator with a strong background in housing projects, ideally within social housing, to join our growing team. This role is focused on preparing accurate and competitive tenders while supporting the business in securing new work aligned with its strategic growth objectives.
Key Accountabilities
The successful candidate will be responsible for producing competitively priced tenders that are accurate, clearly detailed, and submitted within required deadlines. They will build and maintain strong relationships with clients, consultants, and supply chain partners, while contributing to the company’s sustainable growth through successful tendering. Maintaining a reputation for quality, professionalism, and fairness is essential.
Key Responsibilities
Tendering
You will review and analyse tender documentation to gain a full understanding of project requirements, preparing detailed take-offs and Bills of Quantities using estimating software or Excel. The role involves pricing tenders across a range of procurement routes, including traditional, design and build, and two-stage tenders, and producing detailed rate build-ups and cost analyses.
You will identify key risks, opportunities, and value engineering options, while managing subcontractor and supplier enquiries and analysing returned quotations. Attending site visits to assess conditions, constraints, and logistics will form part of the role, alongside liaising with planners and internal teams to develop construction programmes and methodologies. Ensuring all tender documentation is complete and submitted on time is a critical responsibility.
Budgeting & Cost Planning
You will produce budget estimates and cost plans at varying levels of detail depending on the project stage, ensuring accuracy and strong commercial awareness in all cost advice provided.
Tender Adjudication
The role includes preparing tender build-ups for internal adjudication and presenting cost strategies, assumptions, risks, and opportunities. Pricing will be adjusted in line with adjudication outcomes prior to final submission.
Project Handover
You will prepare and issue full handover documentation to delivery teams, attending and leading handover meetings with contracts and commercial teams. This includes providing an anticipated project return and a clear commercial overview.
Client & Stakeholder Engagement
You will participate in pre- and post-tender meetings, support presentations where required, and contribute to value engineering discussions with clients and project teams.
General Responsibilities
In addition to core duties, you will support colleagues with pricing and cost advice, assist in material and subcontractor selection, and maintain clear communication both internally and externally. Ensuring all tenders are delivered accurately and on time remains a fundamental expectation.
Skills & Experience Required
Candidates must have proven experience as an Estimator within the construction industry, with a strong background in housing projects—ideally social housing. Experience across a range of contract types, such as traditional and design and build, is required, along with strong commercial awareness and attention to detail.
You should be capable of managing multiple tenders simultaneously and be proficient in estimating software and Excel. Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills are essential.
Desirable
Experience working on projects in North London or surrounding areas is advantageous, along with knowledge of the local supply chain and subcontractor market. Familiarity with housing frameworks or public sector procurement processes would also be beneficial