Estimator

Elevation Recruitment Group; Greater London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Elevation Recruitment Group are recruiting for an Estimator to join a major construction contractor in Greater London, supporting tenders for large-scale projects.

You will develop detailed cost estimates, coordinate input from design, planning and construction teams, and ensure tender submissions reflect project scope, methodologies and risks. The role focuses on protecting margins while delivering competitive bids.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in construction estimating for main or Tier 2 contractors.
• Experience estimating major construction or infrastructure projects.
• Strong numerical, analytical and commercial skills for cost data and risk.
• Experience using relevant estimating systems and knowledge of RISKS and sensitivity modelling.
• Understanding of Building Information Modelling and its application to cost estimating.

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed cost estimates for work packages including direct costs, preliminaries, labour, plant, materials and subcontractor costs.
• Collaborate with design, planning and construction teams to develop methodologies, build sequences and temporary works requirements.
• Prepare commercial workbooks, schedules and tender documentation.
• Obtain, review and validate quotations from subcontractors and suppliers for reflected rates and methodologies.
• Develop cost estimates using top-down and bottom-up approaches from supplier quotes, historical data and first-principles estimating.
• Contribute to project risk assessments, quantifying cost impacts and identifying risks across work packages.
• Review designs and update estimates to reflect changes and scope adjustments.
• Provide commercial input into project changes and financial implications.
• Maintain relationships with supply chain and cost databases for prices and rates.
• Monitor delivery data against estimating assumptions to improve future tenders and forecasts.
• Coordinate estimating activities across the tender team to ensure accuracy and deadlines.

Skills

Construction estimating

Major project estimation

Numerical skills

Commercial awareness

Estimating systems

Education

RICS membership or equivalent

Tools

Estimating software

Job description

Elevation Recruitment Group are recruiting for an Estimator to join a major construction contractor, supporting the development and submission of tenders for large-scale construction and infrastructure projects.

This is a key role within the estimating team, responsible for developing detailed and commercially robust cost estimates, coordinating input from design, planning and construction teams, and ensuring tender submissions accurately reflect the project scope, construction methodology and associated risks.

As an Estimator, you will play an important role in the pre-construction process, working closely with internal teams, subcontractors and suppliers to develop competitive tenders while protecting commercial margins and supporting the successful delivery of new projects.

As the Estimator, you will:

• Prepare detailed cost estimates for project work packages, including direct costs, preliminaries, labour, plant, materials and subcontractor costs.
• Work collaboratively with design, planning and construction teams to develop and cost construction methodologies, build sequences and temporary works requirements.
• Prepare commercial workbooks, activity schedules and supporting documentation for tender submissions.
• Obtain, review and validate quotations from subcontractors and suppliers, ensuring rates, productivity assumptions and proposed methodologies are accurately reflected within estimates.
• Develop cost estimates using both top-down and bottom-up approaches, drawing on supplier quotations, historical data and first-principles estimating.
• Contribute to project risk assessments, quantifying potential cost impacts and identifying risks across individual work packages.
• Review developing designs and update estimates to reflect design changes, scope adjustments and evolving project requirements.
• Provide commercial input into project changes, supporting the assessment of their financial implications.
• Maintain strong relationships with the supply chain and develop cost databases covering material prices, labour rates, production rates and other key estimating information.
• Monitor project delivery data against estimating assumptions to improve the accuracy of future tenders and cost forecasts.
• Coordinate estimating activities with colleagues across the wider tender team to ensure submissions are accurate, consistent and delivered to deadlines.

To be considered for the Estimator role, you will need:

• Proven experience in construction estimating, ideally working for a main contractor or Tier 2 contractor.
• Experience estimating major construction or infrastructure projects.
• A strong understanding of construction techniques, methodologies, sequencing and their impact on project costs.
• Experience preparing detailed estimates using both first-principles calculations and subcontractor or supplier quotations.
• Strong numerical, analytical and commercial skills, with the ability to assess cost data, identify risks and challenge assumptions.
• Experience using relevant estimating systems, with knowledge of quantitative risk analysis and sensitivity modelling software.
• An understanding of Building Information Modelling and its application to cost estimating.
• A relevant degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management or a related discipline.
• RICS membership or an equivalent professional qualification would be advantageous.

About the business

The business places strong emphasis on excellence, integrity and long-term relationships, working collaboratively with clients, suppliers and project teams to achieve successful project outcomes. Continuous improvement, innovation and sustainability are central to its approach, alongside maintaining strong commercial performance and delivering value across its projects.