Electrical Estimator

Optima Site Solutions Ltd; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car

Company benefits package

Hybrid working

Office-based role

Job summary

Optima Site Solutions Ltd in Cambridge is seeking an experienced Electrical Estimator to join a busy commercial building services team. You will manage electrical tenders from enquiry through to submission and handover, with a focus on accurate cost build-ups and competitive pricing.

The role offers predominantly office-based work with potential hybrid days, and a salary range of £60,000–£70,000 plus a company car and benefits.

Qualifications

• Proven hands-on electrical estimating experience in electrical contracting or M&E/building services.
• Experience pricing commercial electrical/building services projects.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical drawings and tender documentation.
• Strong knowledge of labour, material and subcontract costs.
• Excellent attention to detail and commercial awareness.
• Ability to manage multiple tenders at different stages.

Responsibilities

• Review tender enquiries, drawings, specifications and associated documentation.
• Produce detailed electrical estimates and cost build-ups.
• Complete electrical take-offs and prepare bills of quantities.
• Assess labour, materials, plant and subcontract requirements.
• Obtain, review and compare supplier and subcontractor quotations.
• Build accurate material and labour costs into tender submissions.
• Identify technical and commercial risks within tender documentation.
• Identify value-engineering opportunities where appropriate.
• Liaise with suppliers, subcontractors, consultants and clients during the tender process.
• Attend site visits and pre-tender meetings where required.
• Prepare tender submissions and supporting tender presentations.
• Manage multiple live tenders and priorities simultaneously.
• Work closely with Project Managers and the wider commercial team.
• Support the handover of successfully secured projects to the delivery team.

Skills

Electrical estimating

Tendering

Reading drawings

Costing & BOQ

Commercial awareness

Supplier liaison

Project handover

Job description

Electrical Estimator

Location: Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

Salary: £60,000-£70,000 per annum, depending on experience

Senior-level candidates: A higher package may be considered for the right individual

Benefits: Company car + benefits

Working Pattern: Predominantly office based, with up to 1-2 days hybrid working potentially available where necessary

Optima Site Solutions is recruiting an experienced Electrical Estimator on behalf of an established electrical contractor delivering a varied portfolio of commercial building services projects across Cambridge, Cambridgeshire and the surrounding region.

This position would suit an estimator with strong electrical building services knowledge who is comfortable managing tenders from initial enquiry and take-off through to final submission and project handover.

Projects include commercial developments, education facilities, research and laboratory environments, industrial buildings, refurbishment schemes and electrical infrastructure upgrades.

The business is looking for someone who can become a key part of the estimating and commercial team.

An experienced Senior Electrical Estimator may also be considered, with flexibility above the advertised salary range for the right candidate.

The Role

As Electrical Estimator, you will be responsible for preparing accurate and commercially competitive electrical tenders.

• Reviewing tender enquiries, drawings, specifications and associated documentation
• Producing detailed electrical estimates and cost build-ups
• Completing electrical take-offs and preparing bills of quantities
• Assessing labour, materials, plant and subcontract requirements
• Obtaining, reviewing and comparing supplier and subcontractor quotations
• Building accurate material and labour costs into tender submissions
• Identifying technical and commercial risks within tender documentation
• Identifying value-engineering opportunities where appropriate
• Liaising with suppliers, subcontractors, consultants and clients during the tender process
• Attending site visits and pre-tender meetings where required
• Preparing tender submissions and supporting tender presentations
• Managing multiple live tenders and priorities simultaneously
• Working closely with Project Managers and the wider commercial team
• Supporting the handover of successfully secured projects to the delivery team

About You

This role is specifically aimed at candidates with proven hands‑on electrical estimating experience gained within an electrical contracting or M&E/building services environment.

• Previous experience working as an Electrical Estimator or Senior Electrical Estimator
• Experience pricing commercial electrical or building services projects
• Strong knowledge of electrical installations and building services
• Experience completing electrical take-offs and developing detailed tender costs
• The ability to read and interpret electrical drawings, specifications and tender documentation
• Good knowledge of electrical labour, material and subcontract costs
• Experience obtaining and analysing supplier and subcontractor quotations
• Strong commercial awareness and attention to detail
• The ability to manage several tenders at different stages
• Good communication skills when dealing with suppliers, subcontractors, consultants and clients
• The ability to commute regularly to an office in the Cambridge area
• Candidates who originally progressed from an electrical trade or engineering background are particularly welcome, provided they have subsequently gained substantial electrical estimating experience

Please note: electrical installation, project management or quantity surveying experience alone will not be sufficient without demonstrable hands‑on electrical estimating and tendering experience.

Package

• £60,000-£70,000 basic salary depending on experience
• Higher package potentially available for an experienced Senior Electrical Estimator
• Company car
• Company benefits package
• Predominantly office-based position
• Up to 1-2 days hybrid working may be available where necessary
• Long-term opportunity with an established electrical contractor
• Varied portfolio of commercial and technically complex projects
• Opportunity to become a key member of the estimating and commercial team