Quantity Surveyor / Estimator

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

Job summary

Adore Recruitment Ltd in Southend-on-Sea is partnered with a long-established Essex-based main contractor to recruit a Quantity Surveyor / Estimator. The role covers tendering, cost planning, and live project commercial management on refurbishment and new-build schemes across Essex and East Anglia.

You will work closely with the Commercial Manager, take ownership of cost control, procurement, and final accounts, and gain broad exposure to both estimating and site delivery in a collaborative,

Qualifications

• 3+ years' experience in quantity surveying and/or estimating.
• Strong understanding of construction methods, materials, and sequencing.
• Experience preparing tenders and cost plans.
• Ability to manage project costs and commercial documentation.
• Good knowledge of subcontractor procurement and package management.
• Strong numerical, analytical, and problemsolving skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Confident communication and teamwork abilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Experience with estimating or commercial software is advantageous.
• Degree, HNC/HND, or equivalent qualification in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, or a related discipline is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Preparing detailed quantity takeoffs and cost estimates.
• Producing and submitting competitive tenders for construction and refurbishment projects.
• Reviewing drawings, specifications, and contract documentation.
• Obtaining and analysing quotations from subcontractors and suppliers.
• Managing project costs, variations, and commercial reporting.
• Supporting procurement activities and subcontractor management.
• Assisting with valuations, payments, and final accounts.
• Maintaining accurate commercial records throughout the project lifecycle.
• Working closely with site teams to monitor progress and control costs.
• Contributing to the continuous improvement of estimating and commercial processes.

Skills

Numerical skills

Analytical thinking

Teamwork

Education

Degree/HNC/HND in Quantity Surveying or related

Tools

Microsoft Office

Estimating software

Job description

Quantity Surveyor / Estimator

£40,000 - £60,000 + Benefits

Southend-on-Sea

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, they've 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 commercial professionals genuine exposure to both tendering and live project delivery.

This is an excellent opportunity for a capable Quantity Surveyor / Estimator who wants broader project involvement, greater responsibility, and a clear route toward senior commercial positions.

The Opportunity

Working closely with the Commercial Manager, operational teams, and directors, you'll play a key role in the full commercial lifecycle of projects - from tender stage through to final account.

You'll be trusted to take ownership of your work, contribute to commercial strategy, and support the successful delivery of a varied portfolio of refurbishment and construction schemes across multiple sectors.

What You'll Be Doing

• Preparing detailed quantity takeoffs and cost estimates
• Producing and submitting competitive tenders for construction and refurbishment projects
• Reviewing drawings, specifications, and contract documentation
• Obtaining and analysing quotations from subcontractors and suppliers
• Managing project costs, variations, and commercial reporting
• Supporting procurement activities and subcontractor management
• Assisting with valuations, payments, and final accounts
• Maintaining accurate commercial records throughout the project lifecycle
• Working closely with site teams to monitor progress and control costs
• Contributing to the continuous improvement of estimating and commercial processes

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 operating with a good degree of autonomy.

Key requirements

• Minimum 3+ years' experience in quantity surveying and/or estimating
• Strong understanding of construction methods, materials, and sequencing
• Experience preparing tenders and cost plans
• Ability to manage project costs and commercial documentation
• Good knowledge of subcontractor procurement and package management
• Strong numerical, analytical, and problemsolving skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Confident communication and teamwork abilities
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Experience with estimating or commercial software is advantageous
• Degree, HNC/HND, or equivalent qualification in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, 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 team.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

• Established, financially stable contractor: Over 60 years of successful trading and a strong regional reputation.
• Strong longterm project pipeline: Secured work across refurbishment, education, healthcare, commercial, and community projects.
• Varied commercial exposure: Involvement in both estimating and live project commercial management.
• Direct access to decisionmakers: Work closely with directors and experienced commercial professionals.
• Real career progression: A business that promotes from within and gives responsibility early.
• Supportive, teamdriven culture: Less bureaucracy, more collaboration, and faster decision-making.

This is more than a standard Quantity Surveyor role. It's a chance to join a contractor where you can see the projects being built, influence commercial outcomes, and develop into a fully rounded construction commercial professional.

If you're looking for a business that combines stability, variety, and genuine progression, this could be the move that takes your career to the next level.