Estimator

Fawkes and Reece; Greater Manchester; On-site; GBP 59,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction contractor in Greater Manchester is seeking an experienced Estimator/Senior Estimator to join their commercial team. You will lead pricing appraisals, support land submissions, and maintain take-offs and BOQs for various developments, including social housing and mixed-use projects. The ideal candidate should have a strong background in housebuilding and be skilled in cost-effective design principles. This role offers a competitive base salary of up to £70k, along with benefits including a contributory pension and personal development opportunities.

Benefits

Contributory pension

Life insurance

Personal development & career progression

Qualifications

• Proven track record as an Estimator in housebuilding.
• Strong time management and prioritization skills.
• Proficient in producing accurate material schedules.

Responsibilities

• Attend site visits with pre-construction teams.
• Prepare priced appraisal cost plans for land submissions.
• Review site constraints and identify cost-effective design.
• Liaise with consultants on viability appraisal.
• Maintain accurate take-off information and BOQs.

Skills

Estimator experience

BOQ production

Material scheduling

Deadline commitment

Self-initiative

Education

BSc/HND or equivalent practical experience

Job description

Reference: 950293_1764333674
Posted: November 28, 2025

Are you a Estimator or Senior Estimator interested in joining a privately owned regional residential build contractor to join their commercial team and take the lead on pricing appraisal cost plans, to support land submission in addition to producing and maintaining take offs and BOQ for developments.

This is an exciting time to join a rapidly growing business with a healthy pipeline of projects ranging from the build of social housing to build to rent apartment developments to larger mixed use developments with commercial, retail and hotel accommodation space.

Reporting to the Commercial Manager your key responsibilities will include:

• Attend site visits with pre-construction team members
• Prepare priced appraisal cost plans to support land submissions and then provide updates to this at each key stagePlanning Submission, Planning Achievement, Start on Site).
• Review site constraints, risks and opportunities in conjunction with the Development, Technical and Design Teams to ensure cost effective design is produced and that effective cost mitigation strategies are pursued throughout the design stage.
• Review planning stage cut and fill (where provided by the Engineer, or where the Engineer is not to provide one undertake the preparation of a cut and fill) and undertake costing analysis using standard rates and identify opportunities for value engineering in conjunction with Development, Technical and the Design Team.
• Liaison with Consultant(s) to assist in production of viability appraisal to satisfy Local Authority requirements.
• Prepare and maintain current take-off information, BOQ and material schedules for standard house types, typical build methods and fit out options to support Quantity Surveyors and Buyers in procurement requirements. Undertake site visits to validate accuracy in take-offs.
• Prepare take-offs and BOQ for developments including take-offs and BOQ for road and sewers, plot drainage, cut and fill and infrastructure works.
• Undertake a review of abnormal and existing services, identifying diversions and obtaining quotations for all abnormal and diversions to allow accurate tendering.
• Undertake reviews of inflation considerations for both pre-contract and live using appropriate BCIS indices and ensure that inflation forecasts are accurately priced in future development opportunities.
• Ensure that development costing complies with all relevant standards (new home warranty, building regulation, employer requirements, contractor proposals etc).
• In conjunction with Commercial Manager, Development Team and Finance prepare detailed Target Budget for developments to allow Quantity Surveyors and Buyers to operate within budgets set to deliver required profit outputs.

Experience required for the Estimator / Senior Estimator role:

• Proven track record as an Estimator within the housebuilding or build of social housing / partnerships
• Qualified with either a BSc/ HND or equivalent practical experience.
• Commercial astute with experience of producing BOQ
• Have the ability to produce accurate material schedules
• Strong commitment to achieving deadlines
• Ability to work efficiently, on own initiative, prioritising as necessary

Salary & Package on offer for Estimator / Senior Estimator:

• Base up to £70k
• Contributory pension
• Life insurance
• Personal development & career progression