Estimator

Wates; Basingstoke; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Wates Residential is seeking a Senior Estimator to lead cost plans and tender submissions across residential developments in the South region. You will manage the tender process from launch to settlement, develop pricing strategies, and mentor junior team members.

The role requires proven estimating experience in residential construction, strong knowledge of tendering, cost planning, procurement, and excellent stakeholder management.

Qualifications

• Proven estimating experience within residential construction, housebuilding or development.
• Strong knowledge of tendering, cost planning and procurement processes.
• Experience preparing complex cost plans and managing multiple tenders simultaneously.
• Excellent understanding of construction methodologies, materials and market trends.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• The ability to challenge, influence and contribute to commercial decision-making.
• Experience using estimating and cost planning software.
• A proactive approach with a keen eye for detail and accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation of accurate cost plans and competitive tender submissions across residential developments.
• Manage the tender process, including tender reviews, settlement meetings and commercial sign-off.
• Develop pricing strategies in collaboration with Commercial and Pre-Construction teams.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with subcontractors and supply chain partners, ensuring robust market testing and benchmarking.
• Assess project risks, opportunities and value engineering proposals to support winning bids.
• Produce first-principles estimates and validate supply chain pricing data.
• Support the development and maintenance of cost databases and benchmarking information.
• Work collaboratively with internal stakeholders to ensure cost plans align with project objectives, programme requirements and delivery strategies.
• Provide leadership and mentoring to junior members of the estimating team where required.

Skills

Estimating experience

Tendering expertise

Cost planning

Stakeholder management

Software usage

Tools

Estimating software

Cost planning software

Job description

As a Senior Estimator, you will play a pivotal role in producing competitive and commercially sound tender submissions across a range of residential contracting and development projects. You will lead the estimating process from tender launch through to settlement, providing cost planning expertise and strategic insight to support successful work-winning activity.

• Lead the preparation of accurate cost plans and competitive tender submissions across residential developments.
• Manage the tender process, including tender reviews, settlement meetings and commercial sign-off.
• Develop pricing strategies in collaboration with Commercial and Pre-Construction teams.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with subcontractors and supply chain partners, ensuring robust market testing and benchmarking.
• Assess project risks, opportunities and value engineering proposals to support winning bids.
• Produce first-principles estimates and validate supply chain pricing data.
• Support the development and maintenance of cost databases and benchmarking information.
• Work collaboratively with internal stakeholders to ensure cost plans align with project objectives, programme requirements and delivery strategies.
• Provide leadership and mentoring to junior members of the estimating team where required.

You'll be a commercially minded professional with excellent analytical skills and a strong understanding of residential construction and development.

We're interested in hearing from individuals who have:

• Proven estimating experience within residential construction, housebuilding or development.
• Strong knowledge of tendering, cost planning and procurement processes.
• Experience preparing complex cost plans and managing multiple tenders simultaneously.
• Excellent understanding of construction methodologies, materials and market trends.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• The ability to challenge, influence and contribute to commercial decision-making.
• Experience using estimating and cost planning software.
• A proactive approach with a keen eye for detail and accuracy.

At Wates Residential, we're driven by our purpose of reimagining places for people to thrive. We're looking for an experienced Senior Estimator to join our South Region Pre-Construction team, helping to secure and shape some of the region's most exciting residential developments.

This is a fantastic opportunity to influence projects from the earliest stages, leading the development of robust cost plans, driving tender strategy, and working closely with Commercial, Land, Design and Delivery teams to secure high-quality residential opportunities.