Estimator, M&E Building Services

Manchester Arndale; Loanhead; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Award-winning employer

Digital learning

Retail perks

Professional growth

Flexible pay

Job summary

OCS UK & Ireland is seeking an experienced Mechanical Services Estimator to lead estimates from enquiry through tender submission and handover. You will price heating, ventilation, air conditioning, plumbing and related plant across projects, coordinating with Pre-Construction, Commercial, Design and Operations teams.

You will review documents, perform take-offs, prepare competitive estimates and contribute to bid strategy while managing deadlines and maintaining strong supplier relationships.

Qualifications

• Experience as Mechanical Services Estimator in construction/building-services.
• Experience estimating mechanical-services projects of similar scale and complexity.
• Strong technical understanding of mechanical building-services systems and costs.
• Experience completing detailed take-offs from drawings and specs.
• Ability to price labour, materials, plant and subcontractor packages.
• Experience evaluating supplier quotations.
• Knowledge of procurement, commercial risk and contract requirements.
• Excellent attention to detail with multiple tender deadlines.
• Confident communication with clients, ops and supply-chain.
• Proficiency in Excel.

Responsibilities

• Review tender enquiries, drawings, specs and contracts.
• Prepare detailed quantity take-offs for mechanical installations.
• Create accurate estimates covering labour, materials, plant and subcontractors.
• Issue enquiries to suppliers and subcontractors.
• Analyse quotations and incorporate all costs into tenders.
• Record tender assumptions, qualifications and exclusions.
• Assess commercial, technical and contractual risks and opportunities.
• Attend site visits and tender review meetings.
• Support bid strategy, value engineering and cost-saving proposals.
• Prepare and submit compliant tenders on time.

Skills

Tendering

Estimating

Take-offs

Microsoft Excel

Communication

Driving licence

Education

HNC/HND or degree in mechanical/building-services

Trade apprenticeship in mechanical services

Tools

Trimble Estimation

Job description

About The Role:

We are looking for an experienced Estimator with a strong background in producing estimates and tenders for mechanical building-services projects.

Working closely with our Pre-Construction, Commercial, Design and Operational teams, you will manage estimates from initial enquiry through to final tender submission and project handover.

You will prepare accurate and commercially competitive estimates across a range of mechanical services, including heating, ventilation, air conditioning, plumbing, public health and associated plant and equipment.

Key Responsibilities

• Review tender enquiries, mechanical drawings, specifications and contract documentation.
• Complete detailed quantity take-offs for mechanical building-services installations.
• Prepare accurate estimates covering labour, materials, plant and specialist subcontractor packages.
• Issue enquiries to suppliers and mechanical-services subcontractors.
• Analyse quotations and ensure all relevant costs are incorporated into tender submissions.
• Identify and clearly record tender assumptions, qualifications and exclusions.
• Assess commercial, technical and contractual risks and opportunities.
• Attend site visits, tender review meetings and commercial discussions.
• Contribute to bid strategy, value engineering and cost-saving proposals.
• Prepare and submit accurate, compliant tenders within agreed deadlines.
• Maintain estimating records, cost information and tender documentation.
• Build effective relationships with clients, suppliers and subcontractors.
• Prepare handover information for successful tenders and present it to the delivery team.
• Support post-tender clarifications, presentations and negotiations when required.

Essential Requirements

• Previous experience as a Mechanical Services Estimator within the construction or building-services sector.
• Demonstrable experience estimating mechanical-services projects of comparable scale and complexity.
• Strong technical understanding of mechanical building-services systems, installation methods and associated costs.
• Experience completing detailed take-offs from mechanical drawings and specifications.
• Ability to prepare estimates covering materials, labour, plant and subcontractor packages.
• Experience evaluating supplier and subcontractor quotations.
• Good understanding of procurement, commercial risk and contract requirements.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple tender deadlines.
• Confident communication skills when working with clients, operational teams and supply‑chain partners.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Relevant mechanical, building-services or commercial qualification, such as a trade apprenticeship, HNC, HND or degree.
• Full UK driving licence.

Desirable Experience

• Experience using Trimble Estimation software or a similar estimating system.
• Experience estimating projects within healthcare or other live operational environments.
• Background working for a mechanical building-services or M&E contractor.
• Knowledge of value engineering and tender risk management.
• Experience supporting tender presentations and post-tender interviews.
• CSCS card.

About The Company:

OCS UK & Ireland is a leading facilities management company with 50,000+ colleagues and a turnover in excess of £2bn. We deliver innovative, award-winning services within facilities management, hard services, cleaning, security and catering.

Our mission is to make people and places the best they can be for our colleagues, customers and the communities we serve. Our commitment to doing business the right way is rooted in our TRUE values - Trust, Respect, Unity, and Empowerment.

Why Work for OCS?

Award-Winning Employer: Ranked 36th on Glassdoor’s Best Companies to Work For 2025 — we value and motivate our people.

Digital Learning: The OCS Academy offers digital courses and resources to help you build skills and grow your career.

Retail Perks: With our Hapi app, you can gain access to exclusive discounts, rewards and wellbeing resources.

Professional Growth: 600+ live learners across UK&I — Empowering colleagues with further development and qualifications!

Flexible Pay: Access a portion of earned wages before payday with our Wagestream App! (Contract Specific)

We are an equal opportunities employer and rely on a diverse workforce with a broad range of knowledge, skills, and backgrounds to deliver our goals. We offer an inclusive and welcoming environment and actively encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or age.