Estimator

Acrow Recruitment; Wakefield; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car/allowance

Benefits

Job summary

Acrow Recruitment is working with a Wakefield-based groundworks and civil engineering contractor to appoint an experienced Estimator to the commercial team. You will prepare accurate, competitive tenders for projects from £500k to £5m and support risk-managed, profitable bids.

Based near Wakefield with access to a full UK driving license, you will quantify earthworks, drainage and groundworks costs using digital estimating software and collaborate with Commercial Managers and Directors through

Qualifications

• 3–5 years estimating experience in UK groundworks or civil engineering.
• Proficient in NEC4 and JCT contracts.
• Full UK driving license and commuting ability from Wakefield.

Responsibilities

• Tender Management: Review tender packages, drawings and specs to understand scopes and requirements.
• Take-Offs & Quantifications: Produce earthworks, drainage and groundworks quantities from 2D/3D drawings.
• Cost Estimation: Calculate labour, plant, material and subcontractor costs for detailed estimates.
• Subcontractor & Supplier Procurement: Issue inquiries and analyse quotations for competitiveness.
• Risk & Opportunity Assessment: Identify risks and value-engineering opportunities to improve bids.
• Tender Adjudication: Present final cost estimates to Directors during adjudication meetings.
• Site Visits: Attend pre-tender site visits and mid-tender meetings as required.
• Handover: Transfer successful tenders to site operations and commercial teams.

Skills

Groundworks estimation

UK civil engineering

Tendering

Take-offs (2D/3D)

Cost analysis

Education

QS degree

Civil Engineering degree

Tools

Causeways

Conquest

Candy

Bluebeam

MudShark

Job description

Estimator

Wakefield, West Yorkshire

Full-time, Permanent

£45,000 - £65,000 (dependent on experience) + Company Car/Allowance + Benefits

Our client is a leading, well-established groundworks and civil engineering contractor based in Wakefield, operating across Yorkshire and the North of England. They deliver high-quality infrastructure, deep drainage, and substructure solutions for major commercial main contractors, and public sector clients. Due to a strong pipeline of upcoming projects, they are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Estimator to join the commercial team.

The Estimator will be responsible for producing accurate, competitive tenders for groundworks and civil engineering projects ranging in value from £500k to £5m. Working closely with the Commercial Manager and Directors, you will analyze tender documentation, quantify project requirements, manage subcontractor quotations, and deliver priced bills of quantities that mitigate risk while maximizing profitability.

Key Responsibilities

• Tender Management: Review incoming tender packages, drawings, and specifications to understand project scopes, constraints, and contractual requirements.
• Take-Offs & Quantifications: Produce accurate earthworks, drainage, and groundworks material take-offs from 2D/3D drawings using digital estimating software.
• Cost Estimation: Calculate comprehensive labor, plant, material, and subcontractor costs to build detailed, analytical first-principle estimates.
• Subcontractor & Supplier Procurement: Issue inquiries to material suppliers and subcontractors, analyze returned quotations for compliance, and negotiate competitive rates.
• Risk & Opportunity Assessment: Identify operational risks, site constraints, and value-engineering opportunities to give the company a competitive edge.
• Tender Adjudication: Present final cost estimates and tender analytical summaries to Directors during adjudication meetings before final submission.
• Site Visits: Attend pre-tender site visits and client mid-tender meetings across the region as required.
• Handover: Conduct thorough handovers of successful tenders to the site operations and commercial surveying teams.

Skills & Qualifications

• Experience: Minimum of 3-5 years of experience estimating specifically within the UK groundworks, civil engineering, or highways sectors.
• Technical Knowledge: Deep understanding of drainage, earthworks, foundations, road construction, and utility infrastructure.
• Software Proficiency: Experience using digital estimating software (e.g., Causeways, Conquest, Candy, or similar) and digital take-off packages (e.g., Bluebeam, MudShark).
• Contracts: Familiarity with standard forms of construction contracts, particularly NEC4 and JCT.
• Education: A degree, HND, or HNC in Quantity Surveying, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or an equivalent trade-based background.
• Location: Based within a commutable distance of Wakefield and holding a full, valid UK driving license.

What We Offer

• Competitive base salary with annual performance reviews.
• Company car, or car allowance.
• Clear path for career progression into Senior Estimating or Commercial Management roles