Estimator (Leeds)

CML; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Pension

Holiday allowance

Sick pay

Training opportunities

Volunteer days

Annual flu jabs

Employee assistance programme

Mental Health support

Death in service

Referral bonus

Job summary

CML are seeking an experienced Estimator to join our Commercial Team in Leeds. You will provide feasibility advice on tenders and prepare cost estimates and SoR schedules for bids across civil, rail, and infrastructure projects.

Responsibilities include quantity take-offs, reviewing drawings, and collaborating with engineering, planning and commercial teams to ensure buildable, competitive submissions. Hybrid working is available after probation.

Qualifications

• HNC / HND or Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying or related discipline
• Equivalent practical estimating experience
• Strong numerical and analytical capability

Responsibilities

• Preparation of detailed cost estimates and tender submissions for Civil Engineering, Rail, Infrastructure, Marine, and multidisciplinary construction projects.
• Development of estimates using first principles and bottom-up estimating methodologies including labour, plant, material, subcontract, logistics, and productivity outputs.
• Preparation and derivation of Schedule of Rates (SoR) based upon resource build-ups, productivity analysis, and construction methodologies.
• Undertake detailed quantity take-offs from drawings, specifications, and technical documentation using manual and digital measurement techniques.
• Review and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, contracts, bills of quantities, schedules, and scope documentation.
• Assist in the development of construction methodologies, sequencing, possession strategies, access arrangements, and temporary works considerations.
• Obtain and evaluate quotations from subcontractors, suppliers, and specialist providers to support competitive tender submissions.
• Identify commercial, technical, operational, and programme-related risks and contribute towards tender risk assessments and mitigation strategies.
• Prepare tender adjudication documents, clarifications, assumptions, qualifications, and supporting commercial information.
• Collaborate with operational, engineering, planning, and commercial teams to ensure estimates are practical, buildable, and aligned with project delivery requirements.
• Assist in the maintenance and development of estimating databases, benchmark rates, historical cost data, and pricing libraries.
• Support value engineering exercises and alternative construction proposals to improve project efficiency and competitiveness.
• Develop a working understanding of NEC contracts, framework requirements, and client-specific commercial arrangements.
• Participate in tender review meetings, handover meetings, and post-tender negotiations where required.
• Ensure compliance with company Integrated Management Systems, quality procedures, and relevant industry standards.
• Maintain a proactive approach towards continuous professional development and technical improvement within the estimating function.

Skills

Numerical skills

Analytical thinking

First principles estimating

Bottom-up estimating

Excel

Estimating software

Communication

Organisational skills

Education

HNC / HND / Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying or related discipline

Job description

CML are looking for an experienced Estimator to join our Commercial Team, based from our Head Office in Leeds.

Are you looking for a new challenge, within a company that has spent over 4 decades developing its expert craft and ingenuity in Civil Engineering? If so, we'd love to hear from you! With projects ranging in value from, £50k to £12 million, and bigger contracts in the pipeline, you will be involved with a portfolio of works of differing scale, complexity and scope.

As an Estimator at CML you will provide feasibility advice on new tenders, and produce appropriate documentation for inclusion that meet client and industry accepted standards. This will include preparing information and bill of quantities / schedule of rates for tender applications.

Your Responsibilities

The main duties of the role include:

• Preparation of detailed cost estimates and tender submissions for Civil Engineering, Rail, Infrastructure, Marine, and multidisciplinary construction projects.
• Development of estimates using first principles and bottom-up estimating methodologies including labour, plant, material, subcontract, logistics, and productivity outputs.
• Preparation and derivation of Schedule of Rates (SoR) based upon resource build-ups, productivity analysis, and construction methodologies.
• Undertake detailed quantity take-offs from drawings, specifications, and technical documentation using manual and digital measurement techniques.
• Review and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, contracts, bills of quantities, schedules, and scope documentation.
• Assist in the development of construction methodologies, sequencing, possession strategies, access arrangements, and temporary works considerations.
• Obtain and evaluate quotations from subcontractors, suppliers, and specialist providers to support competitive tender submissions.
• Identify commercial, technical, operational, and programme-related risks and contribute towards tender risk assessments and mitigation strategies.n
• Prepare tender adjudication documents, clarifications, assumptions, qualifications, and supporting commercial information.
• Collaborate with operational, engineering, planning, and commercial teams to ensure estimates are practical, buildable, and aligned with project delivery requirements.
• Assist in the maintenance and development of estimating databases, benchmark rates, historical cost data, and pricing libraries.
• Support value engineering exercises and alternative construction proposals to improve project efficiency and competitiveness.
• Develop a working understanding of NEC contracts, framework requirements, and client-specific commercial arrangements.
• Participate in tender review meetings, handover meetings, and post-tender negotiations where required.
• Ensure compliance with company Integrated Management Systems, quality procedures, and relevant industry standards.
• Maintain a proactive approach towards continuous professional development and technical improvement within the estimating function.

Person Specification

Our ideal candidate will have:

Qualifications

HNC / HND / Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying or related discipline, or equivalent practical estimating experience

Skills / Competencies

Strong numerical and analytical capability. Ability to prepare first principles and bottom-up estimates. Competent in Microsoft Excel and estimating software. Good communication and organisational skills

Experience / Knowledge

Understanding of Civil Engineering and/or Rail construction methodologies. Ability to interpret engineering drawings and specifications. Knowledge of resource-based estimating principles

The Package

• Competitive Pay
• A collaborative and friendly working culture, focussed on investing in people
• Up to 25 days holiday + Statutory Bank Holidays
• Hybrid working, depending on business needs (after probation)
• Company Sick Pay
• Annual professional subscription costs
• Excellent training & development opportunities, provided by our award nominated in house Training team
• Paid Volunteering days and Charity events
• Annual Flu Jabs
• Employee Assistance Programmes for advice and counselling
• Access to a committed Mental Health First Aider team
• Company Pension and Death in Service scheme of 2x annual salary
• A generous Employee Referral scheme of £1000 per successful hire

At CML we are committed to creating a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential, not only because this is the right thing to do, but because it makes us a better business.

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and experiences and all applicants will be considered purely on their merits and potential, regardless of where they are from, their age or gender, their lifestyle choices , their beliefs or what disability they may have.

We’re also striving to be a Disability Confident employer and we’ll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities apply and interview for roles.