Mechanical Estimator

ARC Group; Colchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare

Company pension

25 days annual leave

Car allowance

Job summary

ARC Group is seeking a Senior Mechanical Estimator in Colchester to lead estimating for Building Services projects, from enquiry to contract award.

You will manage multiple tenders with senior management, design teams, and suppliers, delivering compliant and competitive submissions while meeting tight deadlines.

Qualifications

• 5+ years' experience within a Mechanical Estimator role in the Building Services or M&E sector.
• Proven ability to prepare competitive tenders across commercial and public sector projects.
• Excellent commercial awareness with ability to identify risk and opportunity.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation of detailed mechanical estimates for Building Services projects.
• Analyse tender docs, specs and drawings to develop cost plans.
• Produce take-offs and evaluate project requirements.
• Source, negotiate and assess supplier and subcontractor quotations.
• Prepare cost comparison schedules and tender analyses.
• Raise and manage RFIs and technical queries.
• Contribute to design development to ensure compliant tender submissions.
• Identify value engineering opportunities and alternative design solutions.
• Present tender submissions and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Support handover of awarded projects to delivery teams.

Skills

Tendering

Cost planning

Excel

Stakeholder mgmt

Building services

Attention to detail

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Mechanical Estimator

Colchester

£60,000 to £70,000 + £6,000 Car Allowance + Benefits

Permanent

ARC is delighted to be partnering with a long-established and highly respected Building Services contractor to recruit a Senior Mechanical Estimator for their Colchester office.

With an enviable reputation for delivering high-quality Mechanical & Electrical projects across both the public and private sectors, our client continues to experience sustained growth and has an exciting opportunity for an experienced estimator to join their expanding pre-construction team.

This is an excellent opportunity to play a key role in securing major projects while joining a financially strong business that offers genuine long-term career progression.

The Role

As Senior Mechanical Estimator, you will lead the mechanical estimating process on a wide variety of Building Services projects, producing accurate, commercially competitive tenders from initial enquiry through to contract award.

Working closely with senior management, design teams, suppliers and subcontractors, you will take ownership of multiple tenders simultaneously, ensuring all submissions are technically compliant, commercially robust and delivered within strict deadlines.

You will also provide technical guidance throughout the tender process and play an important role in supporting the continued success of the pre‑construction department.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation of detailed mechanical estimates for a range of Building Services projects.
• Analyse tender documentation, specifications and drawings to develop accurate cost plans.
• Produce detailed take‑offs and evaluate project requirements.
• Source, negotiate and assess supplier and subcontractor quotations.
• Prepare comprehensive cost comparison schedules and tender analysis.
• Raise and manage technical queries and Requests for Information (RFIs).
• Contribute to design development where required to ensure fully compliant tender submissions.
• Identify value engineering opportunities and alternative design solutions.
• Present tender submissions and commercial recommendations to senior leadership during adjudication meetings.
• Support the successful handover of awarded projects to operational delivery teams.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, consultants, suppliers and subcontractors.

About You

We’re looking for an experienced Mechanical Estimator who is confident managing complex tenders and enjoys working within a collaborative and professional environment.

You’ll ideally have:

• 5+ years' experience within a Mechanical Estimator role in the Building Services or M&E sector.
• A strong understanding of mechanical building services systems and construction methodologies.
• Proven experience preparing competitive tenders across a variety of commercial and public sector projects.
• Excellent commercial awareness with the ability to identify risk and opportunity.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A proactive, organised approach with the ability to prioritise multiple tender submissions.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel.
• Full UK Driving Licence.

What’s On Offer

£50,000 - £65,000 basic salary

£6,000 car allowance

• Private healthcare
• Company pension
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Permanent, full-time position
• Opportunity to work on a diverse portfolio of high-value M&E projects
• Genuine career progression within a successful and growing Building Services contractor
• Supportive and collaborative working environment with an experienced senior leadership team