HVAC Project Estimator

The Recruit Lab; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit sharing

25 days annual leave

Company pension

Company car or car allowance

Company mobile phone

Company laptop

Long‑term career progression

Job summary

LAB. is seeking an experienced, commercially focused HVAC Project Estimator to join an established PM team in the UK. The role covers tendering, procurement, and final handover, with ownership from enquiry through to delivery.

This senior position offers genuine responsibility and autonomy within a long‑standing business delivering heating, cooling and mechanical solutions to blue‑chip clients across multiple sectors.

Qualifications

• Strong experience estimating commercial HVAC, air conditioning, refrigeration and/or mechanical projects.
• Excellent understanding of project costing, labour, materials, plant, subcontractor packages and commercial risk.
• Strong technical knowledge with ability to interpret drawings and tender docs.
• Commercially aware with margin, risk, value engineering and competitive tender strategy.

Responsibilities

• Review enquiries, tenders and specifications to establish scope and viability.
• Prepare accurate estimates and quotations for HVAC and related projects.
• Analyze drawings and schedules to identify requirements and risks.
• Carry out quantity take-offs and build costs for equipment, labour and materials.
• Liaise with suppliers/subcontractors for pricing and lead times.
• Develop detailed cost breakdowns and ensure commercial allowances are captured.
• Work with Projects, Design and Commercial teams to ensure viability.
• Prepare tender docs and submissions within deadlines.
• Support handover of secured projects to Projects and Operations teams.

Skills

HVAC Estimation

Tendering

Costing

Subcontractor negotiation

Supplier pricing

Job description

LAB. is looking for an experienced and commercially driven HVAC Project Estimator to join an established project management team.

With over 30 years of trading history, my client is a financially secure, well-established and ambitious business delivering high-quality air conditioning, refrigeration and mechanical solutions to blue-chip clients across the UK.

Their work spans the commercial, retail, healthcare, education and hospitality sectors, ranging from individual HVAC projects through to complex, large-scale commercial installations.

This is a senior role for someone who wants genuine responsibility and autonomy. You will take ownership of projects from tender and pre-construction through procurement, delivery, commercial management, commissioning and final handover.

For the right person, this is an opportunity to join a successful business that rewards performance and gives its Project Managers the opportunity to directly share in the company's success.

The Role

• Review and assess incoming enquiries, tenders and project specifications to establish scope, requirements and commercial viability.
• Prepare accurate and competitive estimates and quotations for HVAC, air conditioning, refrigeration and associated mechanical projects.
• Analyse drawings, specifications, schedules and technical documentation to identify project requirements, risks, exclusions and potential omissions.
• Carry out detailed quantity take-offs and accurately build costs for equipment, materials, labour, subcontractors, plant and other project requirements.
• Liaise with suppliers and subcontractors to obtain competitive pricing, lead times and accurate technical information.
• Develop clear and detailed cost breakdowns, ensuring all relevant project costs and commercial allowances are captured.
• Work closely with Projects, Design and Commercial colleagues to ensure proposals are technically achievable, commercially viable and aligned with client requirements.
• Communicate with clients, consultants, suppliers and subcontractors to clarify technical and commercial requirements where required.
• Identify cost, programme, contractual and technical risks during the estimating process and ensure these are appropriately qualified or allowed for.
• Prepare and submit professional tender documentation and quotations within required deadlines.
• Review tender returns, revised requirements and variations and update pricing accordingly.
• Maintain accurate estimating records, supplier costs, quotation information and tender submissions.
• Monitor supplier pricing, market conditions and industry trends to maintain competitiveness while protecting required margins.
• Support the handover of secured projects to the Projects and Operations teams, clearly communicating all relevant technical and commercial information.
• Build strong working relationships with clients, suppliers, subcontractors and internal stakeholders.
• Help develop and improve estimating systems, processes and overall commercial performance.

About You

• Strong experience estimating commercial HVAC, air conditioning, refrigeration and/or mechanical projects.
• Excellent understanding of project costing, labour, materials, plant, subcontractor packages and commercial risk.
• Strong technical and industry knowledge with the ability to interpret drawings, specifications, schedules and tender documentation.
• Commercially aware, with an understanding of margin, risk, value engineering and competitive tender strategy.
• Confident obtaining and analysing supplier and subcontractor quotations and challenging costs where appropriate.
• Excellent numerical, analytical and attention-to-detail skills.
• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear and professional quotations, reports and tender submissions.
• A driven and accountable approach, with the confidence to make decisions and take ownership of estimates from enquiry through submission.
• Strong critical-thinking and problem-solving skills with a proactive, solution-focused attitude.
• The ability to work effectively with Projects, Design, Commercial teams and Company Directors.
• A full, valid UK driving licence.

Salary, Profit Share & Package

Company Profit Share Scheme Airflow Cooling operates a company profit share scheme designed to reward the Project Management team for contributing to the overall success and profitability of the business. (In 2025, the scheme increased each Project Manager's earnings by a further £38,000 through their annual profit share bonus).

• £65,000+ basic salary, dependent on experience.
• Company profit share scheme with significant additional earning potential.
• 25 days annual leave, in addition to statutory bank holidays.
• Company pension through our auto-enrolment scheme.
• Typical working hours of Monday to Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm.
• Company car or car allowance.
• Company mobile phone.
• Company laptop.
• Genuine autonomy and responsibility for your own projects.
• Excellent long‑term career and progression opportunities.
• The security of joining a financially stable and established company with more than 30 years of trading history.

Why this company?

My client is continuing to invest heavily in its people, facilities and future growth. They want to attract some of the best engineers in the industry and, just as importantly, create an environment where good people are rewarded, valued and want to stay for the long term.

LAB. are committed to equal opportunities for everyone. We embrace diversity and believe that a balanced, inclusive workforce is crucial to our business. We do not tolerate discrimination, harassment or bullying towards any candidates or employees. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. Due to the high volume of applications, we may receive, it is not always possible to respond to unsuccessful applicants. Therefore, if we have not responded to your application, please assume that on this occasion your application has not been successful at this time, and we wish you the best of luck with your search