Estimator

Build Recruitment Limited; Basingstoke; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Occasional travel to London

Long-term freelance role

Job summary

Build Recruitment Limited is seeking a Freelance Estimator for social housing refurbishment projects. The role covers tender submissions for schemes typically valued between £1m and £20m, using drawings, specs and BOQs to prepare accurate cost estimates under various contract types.

You will liaise with clients, supply chain partners and internal teams to deliver robust and competitive bids, with occasional travel to London from Basingstoke.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as an Estimator in social housing refurbishment, planned maintenance or construction.
• Strong commercial awareness and ability to manage multiple tenders.
• Proficient in estimating and take-off software; solid Excel skills.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate tender requirements and specifications for refurbishment projects.
• Manage and prepare tender documentation, take-offs and cost build-ups.
• Develop subcontractor enquiries and analyse supply chain pricing.
• Prepare risk registers, value engineering proposals and tender adjudication reports.
• Provide early-stage cost plans and preconstruction cost advice to client teams.
• Support working within framework and public-sector environments.

Skills

Estimating

Take-off

Communication

Stakeholder management

Attention to detail

Tools

Excel

Estimating software

Job description

Freelance Estimator – Social Housing Refurbishment

Location: Basingstoke (occasional travel to London)
Rate: Up to £500 per day (Umbrella PAYE)
Contract Type: Long-term freelance

Our client is a leading social housing refurbishment contractor delivering high-quality maintenance, improvement, and construction services across London and the South East. With an expanding portfolio of refurbishment and improvement schemes, they are now seeking an experienced Estimator to support their Building Solutions division on a long-term freelance basis.

The Role

Reporting to the Managing Estimator, you will take responsibility for preparing and managing tender submissions across a variety of refurbishment and small construction schemes, typically valued between £1m and £20m. You’ll work from drawings, specifications, and bills of quantities to produce accurate cost estimates under both traditional and design & build contracts. The role will involve regular liaison with clients, supply chain partners, and internal teams to ensure robust and competitive bids.

Key Responsibilities:

• Evaluate client tender requirements and specifications for refurbishment projects.


• Manage and prepare tender documentation, including take-offs and cost build-ups.


• Develop subcontractor enquiries and analyse supply chain pricing.


• Prepare risk registers, value engineering proposals, and tender adjudication reports.


• Provide early-stage cost plans and preconstruction cost advice to client teams.


• Support collaborative working within framework and public-sector environments.


• Attend occasional meetings at the client’s London office.

About You:

• Proven experience as an Estimator within the social housing refurbishment, planned maintenance, or construction sector.


• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to manage multiple tenders simultaneously.


• Proficient in estimating and take-off software, alongside solid Excel skills.


• Excellent attention to detail, communication, and stakeholder management abilities.


• Self-motivated, organised, and comfortable working both independently and within a team.

What’s on Offer:

• Long-term freelance opportunity with a market-leading refurbishment contractor.


• Competitive day rate of up to £500 (Umbrella PAYE).


• Based in Basingstoke, with hybrid working and occasional travel to London.

If you’re an experienced Estimator with a background in social housing or refurbishment and are looking for a long-term freelance role with an established and forward-thinking contractor, we’d love to hear from you.