Estimator

Amicus; Brisbane; Hybrid; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Flexible environment

Leadership development

Team TAP values

Job summary

Amicus in Brisbane is seeking an Estimator to convert drawings into detailed, competitive cost estimates for labour, materials and equipment. Youll work with sales, project managers, designers and subcontractors to ensure estimates are realistic and commercially sound.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management or Civil Engineering and a minimum of 5 years in estimating. Proficiency with CostX or similar software, and a solid understanding of NCC/NBC/BCA is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management or Civil Engineering is required.
• 5+ years' experience in estimating roles is required.
• Strong knowledge of CostX or similar estimating software.
• Solid understanding of NCC/NCC, BCA and building compliance.
• Strong numerical, financial and commercial acumen.
• Excellent stakeholder communication and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed cost estimates covering labour, materials and equipment.
• Analyse construction drawings and specs for accurate budgeting.
• Perform quantity takeoffs using CostX or similar software.
• Incorporate contingencies to account for risks like cost overruns.
• Monitor market trends and material costs to keep estimates competitive.
• Ensure estimates comply with NCC, Australian Standards and local requirements.
• Collaborate with sales, project managers, designers and subcontractors.
• Communicate cost breakdowns and rationale to clients and stakeholders.
• Align estimates with realistic project timelines for fitout delivery.
• Build and maintain relationships with subcontractors and suppliers to secure pricing.

Skills

CostX

Estimating

Budgeting

Stakeholder comms

Negotiation

Detail oriented

Financial acumen

Numerical skills

Project coordination

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Tools

CostX or similar

Job description

Do you love the challenge of turning a set of drawings into a number that actually stands up?

Do you get satisfaction from turning a stack of drawings into a number that’s both accurate and competitive? Are you the kind of person who can hold a technical conversation and a commercial one in the same breath?

If that sounds like you, Amicus could be your next great move.

About Amicus

Amicus is an award-winning employer with offices in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Established in 2005, we began with a focus on design and fitout for the Office, Laboratory, Education and Hospitality sectors. Today, our offering spans workplace design and construction, alongside expertise in strategy, culture, leadership, technology and finance.

We look for people who combine strong technical capability with curiosity, creativity and a desire to keep improving, both individually and collectively.

About the Role:

Our Estimators are the ones who make sure every project starts on solid financial footing. You’ll take construction drawings and specifications and translate them into detailed, competitive cost estimates - covering labour, materials, equipment, and everything in between. It’s detail-driven work with real weight behind it: get the numbers right, and you set a project up to succeed from day one.

Reporting to the National Estimating Manager and joining our Estimating team in Brisbane, you’ll bring together quantity takeoffs, market knowledge, and a sharp eye for risk to build estimates that are both realistic and commercially sound. You’ll work closely with our sales team, project managers, designers, and subcontractors - so as much as this is a numbers role, it’s also a relationships one.

What you’ll be doing:

• Preparing detailed cost estimates covering labour, materials, and equipment
• Analysing and interpreting construction drawings and specifications for accurate budgeting
• Performing detailed quantity takeoffs using estimating software such as CostX
• Building in contingencies to account for risks like cost overruns and supply chain issues
• Monitoring market trends, including inflation and material costs, to keep estimates competitive
• Ensuring estimates comply with the National Construction Code (NCC), Australian Standards, and local council requirements
• Incorporating sustainable materials and practices to meet standards like Green Star and NABERS
• Building and maintaining relationships with subcontractors and suppliers to secure competitive pricing
• Negotiating favourable terms without compromising on quality
• Aligning estimates with realistic project timelines, particularly for fitout delivery and installation
• Collaborating with sales, project managers, designers, and contractors to integrate estimates into the bigger picture
• Clearly communicating cost breakdowns and estimate rationale to clients and stakeholders
• What you’ll bring:
• A Bachelor's degree in Construction Management or Civil Engineering
• A minimum of 5 years' experience in a similar estimating role
• Strong working knowledge of estimating software (CostX or similar)
• Solid understanding of building codes and compliance (NCC, BCA)
• Confident numerical, financial, and commercial acumen
• Excellent stakeholder communication and negotiation skills
• A detail-oriented mindset with the ability to manage a rolling load of cost plans under tight timeframes
• The agility to adapt when project scope, client demands, or the market shifts

What we're looking for:

• A Bachelor's degree in Construction Management or Civil Engineering
• Minimum 5 years' experience in a similar estimating role
• Strong working knowledge of estimating software (CostX or similar)
• Solid understanding of building codes and compliance (NCC, BCA)
• Confident numerical, financial, and commercial acumen
• Strong stakeholder communication and negotiation skills
• A detail-oriented approach with the ability to prevent errors under time pressure
• The agility to adapt when project scope, client demands, or the market shifts

What might not work for you:

• Running to deadlines. In this role, you’ll typically be turning around a $1M/1000sqm project estimate in around 3 days, while juggling 2-3 cost plans a week
• It's a high-accountability role: your numbers directly shape whether a project is financially viable, so there's limited room for error
• You’ll be balancing several stakeholders at once - sales, project managers, designers, and subcontractors, which means strong communication has to be a given, not a nice-to-have
• If you prefer working at a slower, more deliberate pace, the rolling nature of the cost plan load may not suit you

What you’ll get:

• Hybrid working arrangements and a genuinely flexible, high-trust environment
• An activity-based workspace designed around the way people actually work
• Tailored leadership development and training opportunities
• A team culture built on our TAP values - Teamwork, Accountability and Positivity - that shows up in how we support each other and show up for clients