Estimator

Hill McGlynn Recruitment; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Hill McGlynn Recruitment is seeking an experienced Estimator to join a well‑established civil engineering contractor delivering projects across the UK. The role sits in Pre-Construction & Commercial, combining office‑based work with involvement on projects nationwide.

The successful candidate will review tender information, produce detailed cost estimates and identify commercial risks and opportunities, working with the wider team.

Qualifications

• Previous experience working as an Estimator within civil engineering, groundworks or infrastructure.
• Strong understanding of construction methods, sequencing, labour, plant and materials.
• Experience producing detailed estimates and pricing build‑ups from tender documentation.
• Good knowledge of supply chain procurement and subcontractor pricing.
• Commercial awareness and the ability to identify tender risks and opportunities.
• An understanding of NEC and JCT contracts would be advantageous.
• Strong numerical, analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Good communication and negotiation skills.
• Strong IT skills, including Excel and relevant estimating/commercial systems.
• A full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Review tender documentation, drawings, specifications and Bills of Quantities to understand project scope and requirements.
• Prepare detailed and accurate cost estimates for civil engineering and groundworks projects.
• Produce pricing build‑ups using labour, plant, material rates, subcontractor quotations and measured quantities.
• Undertake quantity take‑offs and measurement from drawings and tender information.
• Prepare and review Bills of Quantities, Schedules of Rates and Activity Schedules using appropriate methods of measurement.
• Obtain and analyse quotations from subcontractors and suppliers.
• Prepare tender comparisons and recommendations, ensuring scope, programme and commercial risks are fully considered.
• Identify tender risks, opportunities, exclusions, qualifications and potential value‑engineering solutions.
• Review contract conditions and identify potentially onerous commercial terms, with particular consideration given to NEC, JCT and bespoke contract amendments.
• Work closely with operational teams to establish appropriate construction methodologies, resources and programme requirements.
• Assess labour, plant, equipment, materials and subcontract requirements when developing tender pricing.
• Support tender adjudications and provide clear commercial information to assist with bid decisions.
• Assist with tender clarifications, negotiations and post‑tender enquiries.
• Support the handover of successful tenders to the commercial and operational teams, ensuring key assumptions, risks and opportunities are clearly communicated.
• Maintain accurate estimating information, including rates, supplier and subcontractor pricing and lessons learned from previous projects.

Skills

Estimation experience

Civil engineering

Groundworks

Pricing build-ups

Tender risks

Contract knowledge

Negotiation

IT skills

Driving licence

Analytical skills

Commercial awareness

Education

HND/degree in QS or Construction

Job description

Estimator - Civil Engineering & Groundworks

We are currently recruiting for an experienced Estimator to join a well‑established civil engineering contractor delivering projects across the UK. The position will sit within the Pre-Construction & Commercial team, with a combination of office‑based working and involvement across projects nationally.

This is an excellent opportunity for an Estimator with a strong background in civil engineering, groundworks or infrastructure who is confident reviewing tender information, producing detailed cost estimates and identifying commercial risks and opportunities.

The Role

As Estimator, you will be responsible for supporting the preparation and submission of competitive tenders, developing detailed pricing from first principles and ensuring that labour, plant, materials, subcontractor costs and commercial risks are accurately considered.

Working closely with the wider pre‑construction, commercial and operational teams, you will help ensure tenders are commercially robust, deliverable and aligned with project requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Review tender documentation, drawings, specifications and Bills of Quantities to understand project scope and requirements.
• Prepare detailed and accurate cost estimates for civil engineering and groundworks projects.
• Produce pricing build‑ups using labour, plant, material rates, subcontractor quotations and measured quantities.
• Undertake quantity take‑offs and measurement from drawings and tender information.
• Prepare and review Bills of Quantities, Schedules of Rates and Activity Schedules using appropriate methods of measurement.
• Obtain and analyse quotations from subcontractors and suppliers.
• Prepare tender comparisons and recommendations, ensuring scope, programme and commercial risks are fully considered.
• Identify tender risks, opportunities, exclusions, qualifications and potential value‑engineering solutions.
• Review contract conditions and identify potentially onerous commercial terms, with particular consideration given to NEC, JCT and bespoke contract amendments.
• Work closely with operational teams to establish appropriate construction methodologies, resources and programme requirements.
• Assess labour, plant, equipment, materials and subcontract requirements when developing tender pricing.
• Support tender adjudications and provide clear commercial information to assist with bid decisions.
• Assist with tender clarifications, negotiations and post‑tender enquiries.
• Support the handover of successful tenders to the commercial and operational teams, ensuring key assumptions, risks and opportunities are clearly communicated.
• Maintain accurate estimating information, including rates, supplier and subcontractor pricing and lessons learned from previous projects.

Skills & Experience The ideal candidate will have:

• Previous experience working as an Estimator within civil engineering, groundworks or infrastructure.
• A strong understanding of construction methods, sequencing, labour, plant and materials.
• Experience producing detailed estimates and pricing build‑ups from tender documentation.
• Good knowledge of supply chain procurement and subcontractor pricing.
• Commercial awareness and the ability to identify tender risks and opportunities.
• An understanding of NEC and JCT contracts would be advantageous.
• Strong numerical, analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Good communication and negotiation skills.
• Strong IT skills, including Excel and relevant estimating/commercial systems.
• A full UK driving licence.

Qualifications

A HND, degree or equivalent qualification in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction or another relevant discipline would be beneficial. Relevant industry experience will also be considered.

Professional membership or progression towards an appropriate professional qualification would be advantageous.

Desirable Sector Experience

Previous estimating experience within aviation/airfields, highways or wider infrastructure would be particularly beneficial. Experience pricing projects delivered through frameworks or within live operational environments, including airside, live traffic and secure sites, would also be advantageous.

This is a strong opportunity for an Estimator looking to join an established contractor and play an important role in securing and delivering technically interesting civil engineering, groundworks and infrastructure projects across the UK.