Assistant Estimator

Skilled Careers; Southwick; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Job summary

Skilled Careers is recruiting an Assistant Estimator to join the commercial team in the South East. You will support tender preparation, cost analysis, and procurement activities for regional construction projects, liaising with subcontractors and suppliers to ensure competitiveness and accuracy.

The role emphasizes detailed estimating, records management, and adherence to tender deadlines, with an opportunity to develop within a main contractor environment on diverse projects across the South

Qualifications

• Minimum HND or HNC level in a related field; a degree is highly desirable.
• Relevant Level 3 qualification in Construction or Built Environment with practical estimating experience.
• Previous experience in the construction sector and tender-based roles.
• Ability to work to tender deadlines and maintain accurate records.

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed cost estimates from drawings, specs and BQ documents.
• Review tender docs, quantify materials, labour, plant and equipment.
• Assist with tender pricing schedules and cost breakdowns.
• Issue enquiries, compare quotations and maintain procurement schedules.
• Support cost plans, cost libraries and benchmarking data.
• Maintain electronic tender files and ensure compliance with procedures.
• Consider health, safety, environmental and site logistics in estimates.

Skills

Tender preparation

Cost analysis

Commercial awareness

Estimating experience

Education

HND or HNC level

Degree in related field desirable

Level 3 qualification in Construction/Built Environment

Tools

Estimating software

Spreadsheets

Job description

• Position: Assistant Estimator
• Office location: Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex
• Salary/Package: £ competitive + car allowance and comprehensive package
• Target start date: October/November 2026
• Skilled Careers contact: Mark Dixon (Maidstone branch)

The role:

Due to ongoing success and continuous work winning across the South East the need has arisen to recruit for a Assistant Estimator to join the commercial team within this main contractor and support the team. Key responsibilities include

Tender preparation:

• Assist in preparing detailed cost estimates for construction projects.
• Review drawings, specifications, bills of quantities and tender documentation.
• Undertake measurements and quantify materials, labour, plant and equipment requirements.
• Assist with the preparation of tender pricing schedules and cost breakdowns.
• Identify discrepancies, omissions, risks and potential cost-saving opportunities within tender documentation.
• Ensure estimates are prepared accurately and submitted within the required tender deadlines.
• Maintain clear and organised records of all estimates, calculations and tender submissions.

Subcontractor and supplier quotations

• Issue enquiries to subcontractors and suppliers in accordance with the tender programme.
• Obtain, record and compare quotations for materials, labour, plant and specialist subcontract packages.
• Check quotations for completeness, exclusions, qualifications and compliance with the tender requirements.
• Assist in preparing subcontractor comparison sheets and procurement schedules.
• Follow up outstanding quotations to ensure sufficient tender coverage.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with suppliers and subcontractors.

Cost Analysis and Commercial Support

• Assist with the preparation of cost plans, cost comparisons and tender summaries.
• Review material, labour and subcontract costs against historical project information and current market rates.
• Support the identification of value-engineering opportunities and alternative construction methods.
• Assist with maintaining and updating estimating databases, cost libraries and benchmarking information.
• Help identify commercial risks, provisional sums, contingencies and potential cost exposures.
• Support the handover of successful tenders to the commercial and delivery teams.

Documentation and Administration

• Maintain accurate electronic tender files and supporting documentation.
• Ensure drawings, specifications and tender revisions are recorded and kept up to date.
• Assist with the preparation of tender clarifications, assumptions, exclusions and qualifications.
• Use estimating software, spreadsheets and company systems to record and analyse costs.
• Ensure tender documentation is prepared in accordance with company procedures and quality standards.
• Handle commercially sensitive information confidentially.

Health, Safety and Compliance

• Consider the cost implications of health and safety requirements, temporary works, site establishment and construction logistics.
• Allow for relevant statutory requirements and project-specific specifications within estimates.
• Support the inclusion of appropriate costs for environmental controls, waste management and site welfare.
• Follow company policies, procedures and applicable legislation.

About you:

• You will be either qualified to HND or HNC level as a minimum and degree in a related field is highly desirable
• A relevant Level 3 qualification in Construction or the Built Environment, supported by practical estimating experience or an appropriate apprenticeship or equivalent demonstrable construction industry training.
• You will have previous relevant experience in the construction sector gained through employment or a apprenticeship programme.