Estimator (Industrial, Commercial and Educational Refurbishment & Fit-Out)
Location: Staffordshire (Head Office – UK Nationwide Projects)
Salary: £50,000 – £55,000 per annum
Contract Type: Permanent, Full-Time
About the Company
Our client is a leading, award-winning principal contractor specialising in industrial, commercial, and educational refurbishment and fit-out projects across the UK. With a current turnover of £50m and ambitious plans to grow to £100m, the business is entering a pivotal phase of expansion.
Operating from newly modernised offices in Staffordshire, they are known for delivering projects to the highest standards of quality, safety, and client satisfaction. To support continued growth, they are seeking an experienced Estimator to strengthen their pre-construction team and play a key role in securing and shaping future projects.
The Role
As Estimator, you will be responsible for preparing accurate and competitive cost estimates for refurbishment and fit-out projects across industrial, commercial, and educational sectors. You will work closely with the Commercial, Pre-Construction, and Operations teams to analyse tender documents, assess risk, and build robust pricing models that support successful bid submissions.
This is a key role within a growing contractor, offering the opportunity to contribute directly to project wins and long-term business growth.
Key Responsibilities
Estimating & Cost Planning
Prepare detailed and accurate cost estimates from drawings, specifications, and tender documentation.
Review and interpret project requirements to develop competitive and commercially sound tenders.
Build up rates and pricing using first principles where required.
Develop cost plans and budgets at pre-construction stage.
Tender & Bid Support
Analyse tender packages and identify key risks, opportunities, and value engineering options.
Liaise with the Commercial Director and senior leadership on pricing strategy and margin targets.
Support the preparation of tender submissions, clarifications, and supporting documentation.
Attend internal tender reviews and contribute to bid strategy discussions.
Supply Chain & Subcontractor Engagement
Obtain and assess subcontractor and supplier quotations.
Build and maintain strong relationships with the supply chain to ensure competitive pricing and reliable scope coverage.
Compare quotes and prepare detailed subcontractor bid analyses.
Ensure all quotes align with project specifications and programme requirements.
Risk & Value Engineering
Identify commercial and technical risks within tender documents.
Propose value engineering solutions without compromising quality or compliance.
Highlight exclusions, assumptions, and qualifications clearly within pricing submissions.
Handover & Collaboration
Provide clear and structured handover information to Commercial and Delivery teams upon project award.
Work closely with Quantity Surveyors and Project Managers to ensure smooth transition from tender to delivery.
Support post-tender negotiations and client queries where required.
Systems & Reporting
Use estimating and commercial systems to prepare and record pricing data.
Maintain accurate records of estimates, assumptions, and supporting calculations.
Contribute to continuous improvement of estimating processes and cost databases.
Required Knowledge and Experience
Proven experience as an Estimator within a construction, refurbishment, or fit-out contractor (essential).
Background in industrial, commercial, or educational refurbishment/fit-out projects (highly desirable).
Strong understanding of construction methods, materials, and sequencing.
Experience pricing projects from drawings and specifications.
Ability to interpret technical information and produce accurate costings.
Experience obtaining and analysing subcontractor quotations.
Good understanding of JCT contracts and typical construction risk profiles.
Strong numerical, analytical, and IT skills (Excel and estimating software).
Experience working with COINS or similar commercial systems desirable but not essential.
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will be detail-oriented, commercially aware, and methodical, with a proactive approach to tendering and cost planning. You will be comfortable working to deadlines and collaborating with multiple departments to produce high-quality submissions.
You will bring:
Strong analytical and numerical ability.
Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
Good communication and teamwork skills.
A practical understanding of refurbishment and fit-out delivery.
The ability to manage multiple tenders simultaneously.
A solutions-focused and commercially minded approach.
The Offer
Salary £50,000 – £55,000 per annum DOE
Permanent, full-time position based in Staffordshire
Modern office environment with supportive leadership team
Opportunity to join a growing, well-regarded contractor
Clear progression opportunities as the business expands