Pre-Construction Quantity Surveyor

Building Careers UK; Chester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent benefits package

Career progression

Job summary

Building Careers UK are seeking a Pre-Construction Quantity Surveyor to join their Chester-based commercial team. You will manage the pre-construction commercial aspects and prepare cost plans, budgets and feasibility estimates for projects valued between £20m and £100m.

The role offers a competitive salary (£60k–£75k), excellent benefits and the chance to work on high-profile hotels, student accommodation and mixed-use developments, with strong collaboration across estimating, design and

Qualifications

• Experience as Pre-Construction QS or estimator in a main contractor environment.
• Experience on major projects valued £20m–£100m.
• Degree in Quantity Surveying or Commercial Management.
• Full UK Driving Licence.
• Experience in hotels, student accommodation, residential or mixed-use developments advantageous.
• Strong cost planning, procurement, estimating and tendering knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Manage the commercial aspects of projects during the pre-construction phase.
• Prepare cost plans, budgets, and feasibility estimates for projects £20m–£100m.
• Produce detailed tender documentation and analyse subcontractor and supplier quotations.
• Support bid submissions, value engineering, and procurement strategies.
• Collaborate with estimating, design, technical and operations teams to ensure viable solutions.
• Identify commercial risks and opportunities during tender and pre-construction stages.
• Prepare and present commercial reports to senior management.
• Assist with subcontract procurement and package evaluations.
• Support handovers to the delivery team after tender awards.
• Contribute to delivery of hotels, student accommodation, retirement living, and mixed-use developments.

Skills

Commercial awareness

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

JCT contracts knowledge

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying or Commercial Management

Job description

Pre-Construction Quantity Surveyor

Location: Chester

Salary: £60,000 – £75,000 + Excellent Benefits Package

About the Company

Our client is a leading UK developer and main contractor with an outstanding reputation for delivering high‑quality, large‑scale residential and mixed‑use developments. Specialising in purpose‑built student accommodation, build‑to‑rent, hotels, retirement living, and residential regeneration projects, they manage schemes from initial land acquisition and planning through to construction and completion.

With decades of experience delivering landmark developments across the UK, the business prides itself on innovation, sustainability, quality, and long‑term investment. Continued growth and a strong pipeline of major projects have created an exciting opportunity for an experienced Pre‑Construction Quantity Surveyor to join their commercial team based in Chester.

The Role

• Managing the commercial aspects of projects during the pre‑construction phase
• Preparing cost plans, budgets, and feasibility estimates for projects valued between £20m – £100m
• Producing detailed tender documentation and analysing subcontractor and supplier quotations
• Supporting bid submissions, value engineering, and procurement strategies
• Working closely with the estimating, design, technical, and operational teams to ensure commercially viable project solutions
• Identifying commercial risks and opportunities during the tender and pre‑construction stages
• Preparing and presenting commercial reports to senior management
• Assisting with subcontract procurement and package evaluations
• Supporting project handovers to the delivery team following successful tender awards
• Contributing to the successful delivery of hotel, student accommodation, retirement living, and mixed‑use developments

The Ideal Candidate

• Proven experience as a Pre‑Construction Quantity Surveyor, Quantity Surveyor, or Estimator within a Main Contractor environment
• Experience working on major construction projects valued between £20m and £100m
• Previous experience within hotels, student accommodation, residential, retirement living, or mixed‑use developments would be highly advantageous
• Strong understanding of cost planning, procurement, estimating, and tendering processes
• Excellent commercial awareness and analytical skills
• Strong knowledge of JCT contracts (NEC experience advantageous)
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Degree qualified in Quantity Surveying or Commercial Management
• Full UK Driving Licence

What's on Offer

• Competitive basic salary of £65,000 – £80,000
• Attractive benefits package
• Opportunity to join a leading UK developer and main contractor
• Exposure to high‑profile projects valued up to £100m
• Long‑term career progression within a financially secure and expanding business
• Ongoing professional development and support
• Collaborative and supportive pre‑construction team

Equal Opportunity

We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities. Our recruitment process is designed to ensure equal opportunities for all candidates, regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic.