Quantity Surveyor / Estimator

Building Careers UK Ltd; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 58,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car

Christmas bonus

Job summary

Building Careers UK is seeking an experienced Estimator / Quantity Surveyor for our client in Blackpool, Lancashire. The role combines estimating and commercial management on large projects, from tendering through to final account, with close collaboration with Project Managers and site teams.

You will guide an Apprentice QS and handle interim valuations, variations and final accounts while maintaining margins and cost records.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in Estimator/Quantity Surveyor roles within building/refurbishment.
• Strong capability in take-offs, cost build-ups and final accounts.
• Good knowledge of cost control and commercial management practices.

Responsibilities

• Prepare accurate tenders and manage commercial aspects from tender to final account.
• Collaborate with Project Managers, Site Teams and Accounts to maintain cost accuracy.
• Support an Apprentice QS with coaching and development.
• Prepare interim valuations and applications for payment; monitor WIP.

Skills

Estimating

Take-offs

Cost build-ups

Valuations

Variations

Final accounts

Microsoft Excel

Collaboration with Project Managers

Cost control

Education

Construction qualification

Tools

Estimating software

Take-off software

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Estimator / Quantity Surveyor - Large Projects

Location: Blackpool, Lancashire

Salary: 58,000 - 65,000 + Company Car + Christmas Bonus

Job Type: Permanent

About the Company

Our client is a family-run building contractor based in Blackpool, delivering building, refurbishment and improvement works across Lancashire and the wider North West.

The business works extensively with local authorities, housing associations and public sector clients, delivering projects across sectors including housing, education, care facilities and public buildings.

Due to continued growth within its Large Projects Team, the business is looking to appoint an experienced Estimator / Quantity Surveyor to take responsibility for estimating and the commercial management of allocated projects from initial tender through to final account.

The Role

This is a key commercial position combining estimating and quantity surveying responsibilities.

You will prepare accurate and competitive tenders before taking responsibility for the commercial management of successful projects, working closely with Project Managers, Site Teams and Accounts to maintain accurate cost information, control commercial performance and protect project margins.

You will also provide guidance and practical support to an Apprentice Quantity Surveyor, with the role initially having a strong hands‑on QS element.

Key Responsibilities

Estimating & Tendering

• Review drawings, specifications, schedules of work and tender requirements

• Attend site visits and identify missing information, access issues, existing conditions and pricing risks

• Produce accurate take-offs and detailed itemised estimates

• Price labour, materials, plant, subcontract, waste and preliminaries

• Obtain and compare supplier and subcontractor quotations

• Review scope, exclusions, availability, lead times and price validity

• Record assumptions, provisional allowances and commercial risks

• Identify potential savings and alternative proposals

• Ensure overheads and profit are clearly identified for management review

• Manage tender deadlines, revisions and pricing returns

• Check calculations and ensure tender submissions are accurate

• Obtain management approval before submitting tenders

• Provide a comprehensive handover to the delivery team following successful tenders

Quantity Surveying & Commercial Management

• Prepare and review interim valuations and applications for payment

• Measure completed works and utilise site progress information

• Track certification and provide accurate information to Accounts

• Identify, measure and price variations

• Maintain change registers and supporting commercial records

• Ensure required contractual notifications are issued within the appropriate timescales

• Escalate disputed or unapproved works

• Support subcontract procurement and review scopes and quotations

• Prepare subcontractor valuations and payment recommendations

• Prepare project cost reports, committed costs, forecasts and WIP information

• Monitor project performance against budget

• Identify and report risks to margin and recovery at an early stage

• Prepare and negotiate client and subcontract final accounts

• Monitor retention and outstanding commercial items

• Escalate disputes and settlement decisions to management

Apprentice Development

An important part of the role will be supporting the development of an Apprentice Quantity Surveyor.

You will:

• Allocate suitable QS tasks

• Explain processes and required approaches

• Review work before issue

• Provide practical coaching in measurement, valuations, variations and cost reporting

• Increase responsibility as the apprentice develops

• Agree priorities with management to ensure project and tender deadlines remain achievable

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will ideally have:

• Proven experience working in an Estimator / Quantity Surveyor capacity within building or refurbishment

• Strong experience across take-offs, cost build-ups, valuations, variations and final accounts

• Sound construction knowledge

• Ability to interpret drawings, specifications and contractual requirements

• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of project cost control

• Confident use of Microsoft Excel

• Experience maintaining accurate digital project records and audit trails

• Strong calculation and analytical skills

• Excellent communication and negotiation skills

• Ability to manage multiple competing deadlines

• Experience working closely with site and project management teams

• Ability to support and develop junior commercial staff

• Ability to travel to project sites across the operating area

• Relevant construction qualification or equivalent practical experience would be advantageous

Desirable Experience

Experience of:

• Projects in the region of 50,000 - 1.5 million

• Public sector tenders

• Occupied-building refurbishment

• Estimating or take-off software

• Supplier negotiation and buying

• Building and refurbishment projects

What's on Offer

• 58,000 - 65,000 per annum

• Company car

• Christmas bonus

• Permanent position

• Blackpool-based office

• Projects across Lancashire and the wider North West

• Large Projects Team

• Combination of estimating and quantity surveying

• Opportunity to work on public sector and refurbishment projects

• Responsibility for supporting an Apprentice QS

• Long-term career opportunity with an established contractor

By applying for this job, you accept the Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers which can be found on our website.

We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences and identities. Our recruitment process is designed to ensure equal opportunities for all candidates.

Please Note: Due to the high volume of applicants, only those shortlisted will be contacted.

INDCOM