Estimator

Bigblue Search Ltd; East Hertfordshire; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Autonomy in role

Growth plans

Job summary

Bigblue Search Ltd is partnering with a growing family-owned main contractor in Hertfordshire and Essex to recruit an Estimator. The role focuses on producing accurate estimates for commercial refurbishment projects up to £10m, coordinating with preconstruction and operations teams to secure the right opportunities.

You will own tender pricing, collaborate with subcontractors and suppliers, and contribute to a clear growth plan aimed at doubling turnover by 2030.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as an Estimator within a main contracting environment.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills.
• Good commercial awareness and proactive risk/opportunity spotting.

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed estimates for commercial refurbishment projects up to £10m across Hertfordshire, Essex, Cambridge and London.
• Review tender docs, drawings, specs and scope to establish project costs.
• Analyse subcontractor and supplier quotations to ensure competitive tenders.

Skills

Estimator experience

Commercial awareness

Negotiation

Communication skills

Job description

Estimator - Growing Main Contractor

Location: Hertfordshire / Essex

Salary: £65,000 - £85,000 + Car Allowance (Experience Dependent)

Company: Family-Owned Main Contractor

Project Types: Commercial Refurbishments up to £10m

Project Locations: Hertfordshire, Essex, Cambridge & London

Reports to: Head of Estimating & Preconstruction

The Opportunity

We're working with a growing, family-owned main contractor operating across Hertfordshire, Essex, Cambridge and London, delivering a range of commercial refurbishment projects up to £10m in value.

With an excellent reputation, an ambitious leadership team and a clear strategy to double turnover by 2030, the business is on a real upward trajectory. They're now looking to appoint an Estimator who wants to be part of that journey, playing an important role in securing new projects and supporting the continued growth of the business.

This is an opportunity to join a contractor where you're more than just a number. The business offers a flexible, high-trust working culture, giving its team the autonomy to do their jobs well without unnecessary layers of management or bureaucracy.

You’ll work closely with the wider pre-construction, commercial and operational teams, taking ownership of your estimates and making a tangible contribution to the continued success of the business.

If you're looking for a role where you can enjoy a healthy degree of autonomy, work with a supportive team and grow alongside an ambitious contractor, this could be an excellent next step.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Preparing detailed and accurate estimates for commercial refurbishment projects across Hertfordshire, Essex, Cambridge and London, with project values of up to £10m.
• Reviewing tender documentation, drawings, specifications and scope requirements to establish project costs.
• Obtaining, analysing and comparing subcontractor and supplier quotations to ensure competitive and commercially sound tenders.
• Building up costs for labour, materials, plant, subcontractor packages and preliminaries.
• Identifying commercial risks, opportunities and value engineering options throughout the tender process.
• Liaising with subcontractors, suppliers, clients and consultants to clarify project requirements and ensure accurate pricing.
• Working closely with the commercial and operational teams to develop robust tender submissions and support successful project handovers.
• Preparing tender documents, cost breakdowns and supporting information for submission.
• Contributing to bid reviews, tender adjudications and the ongoing development of estimating processes.
• Taking ownership of your tenders while helping the business secure the right projects to support its ambitious growth plans.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience as an Estimator within a main contracting environment.
• A background in commercial refurbishment, fit out or similar construction projects.
• Experience pricing projects from initial tender review through to final submission.
• Strong knowledge of construction costs, subcontractor procurement, supplier pricing and project preliminaries.
• The ability to interpret construction drawings, specifications and tender documentation accurately.
• Good commercial awareness, analytical skills and a proactive approach to identifying risks and opportunities.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with subcontractors, suppliers and internal teams.
• A methodical, organised approach and the confidence to take ownership of the estimating process.

Most importantly, we’re looking for someone who wants to be part of a business that's going places. You’ll be commercially astute, comfortable working autonomously and keen to develop your career as the company continues to grow.

What’s on Offer?

• £65,000 - £85,000 salary, depending on experience.
• Car allowance.
• A flexible, high-trust working culture built around autonomy, accountability and getting the job done.
• The opportunity to join a growing, family-owned main contractor where people are valued and contributions are recognised.
• A clear and ambitious growth strategy, with plans to double turnover by 2030.
• The chance to grow alongside the business, taking on greater responsibility as the company expands.
• A varied portfolio of commercial refurbishment projects across Hertfordshire, Essex, Cambridge and London.
• A supportive working environment where you can build strong relationships with the leadership team and have a genuine impact on the business.

This is more than just another Estimator role. It's an opportunity to join an ambitious, growing contractor at an exciting stage of its journey, where you can enjoy a strong working culture, take ownership of your tenders and help shape the next phase of the business's success.