Civils / Earthworks Estimator

Calibre Search; Borrowash; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Calibre Search is seeking an Enabling Works Estimator for a Derby-based role with a specialist contractor delivering regeneration projects. You will own tenders from enquiry to submission across enabling works, demolition and earthworks, ensuring competitive bids while protecting margins.

You will review drawings, build cost plans and liaise with subcontractors to secure quotes. Experience with NEC/JCT contracts and brownfield regeneration is advantageous.

Qualifications

• Experience as an Estimator within enabling works, demolition, earthworks, or related civil projects.
• Ability to prepare detailed, competitive tenders.
• Experience interpreting drawings, specifications and bills of quantities.
• Proven cost estimation and cost planning capability.
• Ability to obtain quotes from subcontractors and suppliers.
• Familiarity with NEC or JCT contracts.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Prepare competitive tenders for enabling works and civil projects.
• Review drawings, specs and tender docs to establish scope and costs.
• Build estimates covering labour, plant, materials, subcontractors, waste disposal, haulage.
• Liaise with suppliers and subcontractors for quotations.
• Identify commercial risks and opportunities for value engineering.
• Attend site visits to assess conditions affecting costs.
• Prepare tender submissions, clarifications and qualifications.
• Review estimates for accuracy and competitiveness.
• Handover successful tenders with budgets and risks understood.
• Attend pre-contract and operations meetings to support delivery.

Skills

Estimator experience

Enabling works

Earthworks

Land remediation

Civil engineering

Tender preparation

Commercial awareness

Quantity take-offs

Contract negotiations

Analytical skills

Deadlines management

NEC/JCT familiarity

Brownfield regeneration

Education

Relevant qualifications in construction estimating

Job description

ENABLING WORKS ESTIMATOR

Derby Competitive Salary + Benefits

A specialist contractor delivering complex regeneration, remediation and enabling works projects across the construction sector are looking to add an experienced Estimator to the team
This is an opportunity to play a key role in securing major projects, influencing commercial decisions and helping transform brownfield sites into development-ready land. From demolition and bulk earthworks to contaminated land remediation and civil engineering, you'll be involved in a varied project portfolio where your estimating expertise will make a real difference.
Working closely with the Pre-Construction Manager and operational teams, you'll take ownership of tenders from initial enquiry through to submission, helping deliver competitive bids while protecting project margins and commercial performance.

THE ROLE

• Prepare competitive, accurate tenders for enabling works, demolition, earthworks, land remediation and associated civil engineering projects.
• Review drawings, specifications, site investigation reports and tender documentation to establish project scope, quantities and costs.
• Build detailed estimates covering labour, plant, materials, subcontractors, waste disposal, haulage and specialist treatment processes.
• Liaise with suppliers and subcontractors to obtain quotations, negotiate costs and secure competitive pricing.
• Identify commercial risks, project constraints and opportunities for value engineering and alternative construction methodologies.
• Attend site visits to assess ground conditions, access, logistics and other factors affecting project costs.
• Prepare tender submissions, clarifications and qualifications in line with client requirements and deadlines.
• Review estimates and tender documentation to ensure accuracy and commercial competitiveness.
• Work alongside project delivery teams to hand over successful tenders, ensuring budgets, assumptions and risks are clearly understood.
• Attend pre-contract and operational meetings to support successful project delivery and profitability.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• Experience as an Estimator within enabling works, demolition, earthworks, land remediation, civil engineering or a related construction environment.
• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to prepare detailed, accurate and competitive tenders.
• Experience interpreting technical drawings, specifications and bills of quantities, with the ability to undertake quantity take-offs and build cost plans.
• Confidence obtaining and evaluating subcontractor and supplier quotations.
• Knowledge of construction methodologies, plant, materials and associated costs.
• Familiarity with NEC and/or JCT contracts and formal tendering procedures.
• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• A proactive approach to identifying risks, improving costs and supporting profitable project delivery.

Experience in contaminated land, soil and groundwater treatment, waste management or brownfield regeneration would be particularly advantageous.
Relevant qualifications are beneficial, but practical estimating experience and commercial ability are what really count.

WHY CONSIDER THIS ROLE?

• Work on technically challenging regeneration and enabling works projects.
• Join a specialist contractor with a varied and interesting project portfolio.
• Play a key role in winning new business and influencing commercial outcomes.
• Work closely with experienced pre-construction and operational teams.
• Develop your career in a specialist and evolving area of the construction industry.

Calibre Search promote equality in the workplace and we welcome applications from all suitably skilled or qualified candidates regardless of their sex, race, disability, religion/beliefs, sexual orientation or age. We act as both an employment agency and employment business.