Estimator/Cost Planner

Wates Group; Basingstoke; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Wates Residential is seeking an Estimator to join our South region pre-construction team. You will develop competitive cost plans, analyse tender documents, and influence commercial strategy from early stages of development.

You will work with pre-construction, commercial and work-winning teams to produce accurate tenders, assess design information, and manage subcontractor pricing to help secure future projects and deliver value for our customers and communities.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of tendering, costing and pricing processes in a pre-construction environment.
• Strong analytical and commercial awareness.
• Ability to understand construction methodology and engage with subcontractors.

Responsibilities

• Review tender documentation to understand project requirements.
• Produce cost plans and estimates across RIBA stages.
• Measure and assess design information with industry tools.
• Coordinate with supply chain and review subcontractor pricing.
• Assist in tender submissions and commercial sign-off documents.
• Contribute to project commercial strategies and value engineering.
• Identify risks and opportunities to maximise success.
• Maintain cost data to support future bids.

Skills

Tendering & pricing

Commercial awareness

Analytical skills

Stakeholder communication

Construction methodology

Relationship management

Tools

CostX

Job description

Looking for a role where your expertise can shape winning bids and help us reimagine places for people to thrive?

At Wates Residential, we're looking for a talented and motivated Estimator to join our South region pre-construction team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in securing future projects, developing robust cost plans, and influencing commercial strategy from the earliest stages of development.

What You'll Be Doing

As an Estimator, you'll work closely with our pre-construction, commercial and work winning teams to develop competitive and accurate tenders that help us win work and deliver exceptional places for our customers and communities.

As An Estimator, You Will

• Review and analyse tender documentation to understand project requirements
• Produce accurate cost plans and estimates across a range of RIBA stages
• Measure and assess design information using industry-standard tools
• Build strong relationships with our supply chain and manage quotation enquiries and review and reconcile subcontractor and supplier pricing
• Support the preparation of tender submissions and commercial sign-off documents
• Contribute to project commercial strategies and value engineering opportunities
• Assess project risks and opportunities to maximise project success
• Maintain and develop cost data to support future bids
• Collaborate with colleagues across the business to support work-winning activities

What We're Looking For

You’ll be commercially aware, highly organised and enjoy working with a wide range of stakeholders. We're interested in hearing from people who have:

• Knowledge within a pre-construction or estimating environment
• knowledge of tendering, costing and pricing processes
• An understanding of construction methodology and design
• Experience working with subcontractors and supply chain partners
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Strong analytical and commercial awareness
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with estimating software such as CostX

Our Commitments

Wates is proud to be an employer where anyone can thrive, and we welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every requirement, as we value transferable skills and assess all applications fairly.

We don't discriminate based on a criminal record; all applications are reviewed on an individual basis against the requirements of the role. Some roles may require additional checks, due to the nature of the work. As a Disability Confident Leader, we offer an interview to applicants with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for the role and opt in to the Disability Confident scheme. Reasonable adjustments are available, please contact us at [e-mail]