Estimator

Harken Search Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK-based recruitment firm is looking for an Estimator to prepare accurate cost estimates for residential developments. The role involves maintaining estimating databases, contributing to land purchase viability, and supporting value-engineering efforts. Candidates should have relevant experience in estimating for residential projects. The position offers a competitive salary, bonus scheme, and flexible working arrangements, welcoming diverse applicants to apply even if they don't meet every criterion.

Benefits

Competitive basic salary

Bonus scheme

Car allowance / Company car

Pension

Health Care

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Experience in Estimating working on residential developments.

Responsibilities

• Prepare accurate cost estimates for all construction elements.
• Maintain and update estimating databases and cost plans.
• Provide cost input for land purchase exercises and viability assessments.
• Support value-engineering during appraisal and pre-start stages.
• Produce detailed pre-start appraisals following planning consent.
• Update appraisals quarterly for sites not yet under construction.
• Liaise with internal departments to coordinate development costs.
• Monitor, reconcile, and recharge shared cost items.
• Attend relevant meetings and report significant changes in costs.

Job description

Key Responsibilities

Prepare accurate cost estimates for all construction elements, including abnormals, preliminaries, professional fees, site management and prime costs.

Maintain and update estimating databases, development appraisals, viabilities, and master cost plans.

Provide cost input for land purchase exercises and prepare Group viability assessments for all acquisitions.

Support value-engineering during appraisal and pre-start stages, ensuring developments achieve a viable final cost position.

Produce detailed pre-start appraisals following planning consent and track cost movements through to site commencement.

Update appraisals quarterly for all sites not yet under construction to reflect current layouts, house types, and market conditions.

Liaise with internal departments to coordinate development costs and support informed decision-making.

Monitor, reconcile, and recharge shared cost items with Group companies or external partners.

Attend pre-start, design, specification, and other relevant meetings as required.

Complete all estimating work accurately, reporting any significant changes in prime costs from land acquisition through to site start.

Essential Experience

Experience in Estimating working on residential developments.

Suitable Backgrounds

• Residential developer
• PLC housebuilder
• PQS firm
• Main contractor
• Groundworks contractor
• Housing association

Benefits

• Competitive basic salary
• Bonus scheme
• Car allowance / Company car
• Pension
• Health Care
• Flexible working arrangements

Don't meet all of the above requirements?

Chandler & Neal are committed to championing inclusive and diverse recruitment, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may just be the right candidate for this or other roles.

Why us?

As well as championing inclusive and diverse recruitment we also give 10% of all invoices to our partner charities.We thank both our candidates and clients for supporting us to make a difference to those impacted by these charities.