Estimator - Main Contractor

Adore Recruitment Ltd; Southend-on-Sea; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Adore Recruitment Ltd is seeking an experienced Estimator for a main contractor in Southend-on-Sea, offering £40,000-£60,000 plus benefits. You will lead tendering for refurbishment, alterations, and new build projects across Essex and East Anglia, with clear routes to senior pre-construction roles.

Working with the Commercial Manager and teams, you’ll produce detailed takeoffs, cost estimates, and tender submissions, build pricing schedules, and drive value engineering while maintaining robust

Qualifications

• 3+ years' estimating experience in construction
• Ability to interpret drawings, specs and tender documents
• Strong numerical, analytical and cost-control skills
• Attention to detail and proactive commercial awareness

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed quantity takeoffs from drawings and specs
• Produce accurate cost estimates for refurbishment, alterations, extensions and newbuilds
• Prepare and submit competitive tender returns
• Review drawings, specifications and tender docs
• Obtain and analyse subcontractor quotations
• Build pricing schedules and identify value engineering opportunities
• Maintain estimating records and cost databases
• Collaborate with site, design and operations teams during tender process

Skills

Estimating

Numerical

Communication

Teamwork

Problem solving

Education

Degree in Construction/Quantity Surveying

Tools

MS Office

Estimating software

Job description

Estimator - Main Contractor - Construction

Southend-on-Sea

£40,000 - £60,000 + Benefits

We're partnered with a long-established and highly respected Essex-based main contractor delivering commercial, education, healthcare, community, and residential construction projects across Essex and the wider East Anglia region.

With over 60 years of successful trading, the business has built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality refurbishment, extension, alteration, and new-build schemes while maintaining long-term relationships with clients, consultants, and subcontractors.

Unlike heavily corporate contractors, the environment is collaborative, fast-moving, and relationship-driven, giving estimators genuine visibility of projects from initial enquiry through to contract award.

This is an excellent opportunity for a capable Estimator who wants broad project exposure, greater responsibility, and a clear route toward senior pre-construction or commercial positions.

The Opportunity

Working closely with the Commercial Manager, operational teams, and directors, you'll play a key role in the preparation and submission of competitive tenders across a varied portfolio of refurbishment and construction projects. You'll be trusted to take ownership of tenders, contribute to pricing strategy, and help secure future work across multiple sectors.

What You'll Be Doing

• Preparing detailed quantity takeoffs from drawings and specifications
• Producing accurate cost estimates for refurbishment, alteration, extension, and newbuild projects
• Preparing and submitting competitive tender returns
• Reviewing drawings, specifications, and tender documentation
• Sending enquiries to subcontractors and suppliers
• Obtaining, analysing, and comparing subcontractor and supplier quotations
• Building up rates and pricing schedules
• Identifying value engineering opportunities and costsaving options
• Assisting with tender adjudications and commercial reviews
• Maintaining accurate estimating records and cost databases
• Liaising with site, design, and operational teams during the tender process
• Contributing to the continuous improvement of estimating procedures and systems

What They're Looking For

The ideal candidate will already have experience working for a main contractor, refurbishment contractor, or construction business and be comfortable managing tenders with a good degree of autonomy.

Key Skills & Background Required

• Minimum 3+ years' experience in estimating within construction
• Strong understanding of construction methods, materials, and sequencing
• Experience pricing refurbishment and/or newbuild projects
• Ability to interpret drawings, specifications, and tender documents
• Experience obtaining and assessing subcontractor quotations
• Strong numerical, analytical, and problemsolving skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Confident communication and teamwork abilities
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Experience with estimating software is advantageous
• Degree, HNC/HND, or equivalent qualification in Construction, Quantity Surveying, or a related discipline is beneficial
• Most importantly, they're looking for someone who is commercially aware, proactive, and keen to develop into a senior member of the preconstruction team.

The business is actively recruiting, and interviews are being arranged immediately.