Estimator

Hollybank Trustees Ltd; Knaresborough; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company Car

Westfield Health

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Christmas Shutdown

Occupational Health Medical

Job summary

S&B Utilities is recruiting an Estimator to manage cost estimation for UK water and civil engineering contracts. The role involves analysing drawings, preparing bills of quantities, and ensuring accuracy of tender submissions.

Experts in water utility infrastructure, you will develop programmes and collaborate with planning, procurement, and commercial teams to optimise bids and project delivery.

Qualifications

• Commercially qualified with a financial or business management background.
• Experience in water utility infrastructure projects is preferred.
• Experience producing tender-stage programmes and understanding construction sequencing.
• Proficiency with planning software and MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed cost estimates for water and civil engineering projects.
• Analyse drawings, specifications and tender documents to identify requirements and risks.
• Produce bills of quantities, take-offs and cost schedules.
• Lead tender submissions and contribute to risk workshops and value engineering.
• Support cost analysis during mobilisation and delivery.
• Attend site visits to gather information for estimates.

Skills

Planning software

Tendering

Cost estimation

Contract awareness

Education

HNC/HND or degree in Civil Engineering/QS/Construction Management

Tools

MS Project

Primavera P6

Asta Powerproject

MS Excel

Job description

Location: On site / Knaresborough, UK
Job type: Permanent / Full-time
Sector and subsector: Engineering | General
AnnualFixed salary:£ 60000.00

Various Locations Throughout the UK

Permanent, Full-Time | Monday to Friday

Closing Date: 6 th October 2026

Benefits

• Company Car
• Westfield Health
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Christmas Shutdown
• Occupational Health Medical

S&B Utilities is seeking a skilled Estimator with experience in financial or business management.

S&B Utilities as a group of companies are involved in all major engineering sectors. Working in exciting areas such as Ministry of Defence and the regulated water industry. This position will appeal to a driven professional looking to expand their skill base within water industry engineering contracts.

Key tasks are to manage all aspects of the contract with regards to financial and commercial performance to ensure compliance with industry and company regulations, legislation and policies and procedures. A strong background in water industry projects is preferable with a knowledge of various contractual and commercial options, coupled with a knowledge of industry regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Not limited to:

• Prepare detailed cost estimates for water and civil engineering projects, including labour, plant, materials, subcontractor services, and overheads.
• Analyse engineering drawings, specifications, and tender documents to identify project requirements and risks.
• Produce bills of quantities, take-offs, and cost schedules using industry-standard methodologies.

Programme Build and Maintenance/Updates

• Develop initial tender-stage programmes, sequencing works efficiently using planning tools (e.g., MS Project, Primavera P6, Asta Powerproject).
• Ensure programmes align with cost assumptions, methodology, and commercial strategy.
• Provide construction sequencing diagrams, phasing plans, or high-level methodologies where required for tenders.
• Lead estimating input for tender submissions, ensuring accuracy and compliance with client requirements.
• Contribute to tender review meetings, risk workshops, and value engineering sessions.
• Support the creation of technical and commercial submission documents.
• Contribute to the preparation of technical and commercial submissions, including method statements and project delivery strategies.
• Identify potential risks, opportunities, and assumptions within bids and document them clearly.
• Support project teams with cost analysis during project mobilisation and delivery.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Work with engineering, planning, procurement, and commercial teams to ensure integrated and accurate estimates.
• Attend site visits to gather information for estimates and assess project constraints.
• Build strong working relationships with clients, suppliers, and subcontractor networks.

Candidate Requirements

• Commercially qualified with a financial or business management background (2yrs experience)
• Strong understanding of water utility infrastructure (clean water, wastewater, pipelines, pumping stations, treatment works).
• Experience producing tender-stage programmes and understanding construction sequencing.
• Competent in planning software (MS Project, P6).
• Proficiency with MS Office – particularly Excel
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and designs.
• Full UK Driving license
• Analytical thinker with excellent attention to detail.
• Strong communicator and able to work under pressure to tight deadlines.
• HNC/HND or degree in Civil Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, or related fields.
• Knowledge of NEC, JCT, FIDIC, or similar contract forms preferred but not essential
• Experience working on UK water frameworks (e.g., Yorkshire Water, United Utilities, Severn Trent).
• CSCS card (or willingness to obtain).

Why Join S&B Utilities?

• S&B Utilities is dedicated to delivering innovative and sustainable civil services across the water industry. Our expertise spans:
• MEICA (Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, Control, and Automation)

We foster a collaborative and dynamic working environment where professional growth and development are encouraged. If you are seeking a challenging yet rewarding career, we invite you to apply.