Estimator

Perm Team; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Perm Team is seeking a skilled Estimator to join our inner northern Melbourne team. This full-time role focuses on producing accurate estimates, subcontract packages, and competitive tenders for commercial construction, heritage restoration, and refurbishment projects across Victoria.

You will report to the Lead Estimator and work to win profitable bids while maintaining quality and compliance with NCC and AS 4000 contracts. Strong collaboration with trades and suppliers is essential.

Qualifications

• 3+ years estimating experience in Australian commercial construction, refurbishment, or heritage restoration.
• Proficient in quantity take-offs, building up first-principle rates, and cost savings opportunities.
• Strong communication with clients, consultants and subcontractors.

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed construction estimates from drawings and specs, including quantity take-offs and trade-by-trade cost build-ups.
• Price preliminaries, site establishment, on-costs, contingencies and project margins.
• Assemble subcontract trade packages and negotiate with suppliers.
• Prepare and submit complete commercial tenders with pricing, qualifications and programs.
• Identify risks/opportunities and recommend value engineering.
• Attend site visits and tender handovers to delivery.

Skills

Estimating

Quantity take-offs

Tender submissions

Cost optimization

Client liaison

NCC knowledge

AS 4000 familiarity

Education

Tertiary qualification in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Building, or equivalent

Tools

Excel

Estimating software

Job description

Estimator
Salary: $120,000 – $160,000 (Depending on Experience)
Location: Inner Northern Suburbs
Work Type: Full-Time, Mon-Fri

About the Role

Due to sustained pipeline growth, we are looking for a skilled and detail-oriented Estimator to join our estimating team on a full-time, permanent basis. Trusted across Victoria since the early 2000’s, our business delivers high-profile commercial construction, heritage restoration, and complex refurbishment projects across healthcare, education, government, and commercial sectors.

Reporting directly to the Lead Estimator, you will take ownership of preparing accurate, competitive, and well-qualified estimates, subcontract trade packages, and tender submissions. This position is ideal for a commercially sharp estimator who thrives on precision, enjoys building strong trade relationships, and takes pride in winning profitable projects within a collaborative and reputable builder environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed construction estimates from drawings, specifications, and contract documents, including quantity take-offs, trade-by-trade cost breakdowns, and build-up of rates.
• Price preliminaries, site establishment, on-costs, contingencies, and project margins in accordance with company estimating procedures.
• Assemble comprehensive subcontract trade packages, leveling supplier and subcontractor quotes on a like-for-like basis to identify scope gaps, exclusions, and variations.
• Prepare and submit complete commercial tenders, including tender prices, qualifications, assumptions, returnable schedules, and preliminary programs.
• Identify, price, and document project risks and opportunities, recommending value engineering and alternative materials to optimize budgets.
• Negotiate competitive pricing with subcontractors and material suppliers while recording captured cost savings.
• Manage tender correspondence, drawing registers, version control, and the shared Estimator inbox in coordination with the team.
• Attend site visits, pre-tender walkthroughs, client interviews, and manage smooth tender-to-delivery handovers for successful bids.
• Maintain the tender pipeline dashboard and supplier registers, actively contributing to process improvements and estimating software workflows.

Required Experience & Skills

• Demonstrated background (minimum 3 years) estimating within the Australian commercial construction, refurbishment, or heritage restoration sectors.
• Proven ability to perform precise quantity take-offs, level complex trade quotes, and build up competitive first-principle rates.
• Strong commercial acumen and analytical capability to evaluate construction methodologies and identify cost-saving value engineering options.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to represent the company professionally with clients, consultants, and subcontractors.
• Solid working knowledge of the National Construction Code (NCC), Australian Standard contracts (e.g., AS 4000), and local market trade pricing.
• High computer literacy, including proficiency in dedicated estimating/take-off software platforms, Excel, and document management systems.
• Tertiary qualification in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Building, or equivalent industry background.
• Current White Card and a valid Australian Driver's Licence.