Quantity Surveyor/Estimator

Group Alco; Wickford; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Professional development

Varied projects

Career development

Supportive working environment

Job summary

Group Alco is seeking an experienced Quantity Surveyor / Estimator to join our Wickford team in Essex. You will own residential construction and interior fit-out cost control, tendering and procurement across projects in the region, with hands-on use of Evaluate for estimating and Eque2 Construction Manager for cost management.

A UK driving licence and site travel are required. You will work closely with project teams to ensure budgets are met, prepare CVRs, manage variations and support

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Quantity Surveyor or Estimator in residential construction or interior fit-out.
• Strong estimating, cost management and commercial awareness.
• Experience preparing tenders, material take-offs and subcontractor packages.
• Understanding of construction methods, materials and subcontractor trades.
• Knowledge of JCT contracts and commercial risk management.
• Excellent organisation and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Prepare accurate cost estimates, take-offs, cost plans and tenders using Evaluate and Excel.
• Monitor project budgets, track expenditure and manage variations.
• Procure subcontractors, prepare tender packages and manage pricing.
• Identify commercial risks and monitor project profitability.
• Manage contractual obligations, variations and final accounts.
• Collaborate with project teams to ensure financial control throughout the lifecycle.
• Conduct site visits to monitor progress and variations.

Skills

Estimating

Cost management

Procurement

Commercial awareness

Contract administration

Project delivery

Site visits

Microsoft Excel

Tools

Evaluate

Construction Manager (Eque2)

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Location: Wickford, Essex (Office & Site Based)

Salary: £50,000 – £60,000 per annum (depending on experience)

Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced and motivated Quantity Surveyor / Estimator to join our growing team based in Wickford, Essex.

This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially focused professional to take ownership of residential construction and high-specification interior fit-out projects across the region.

The successful candidate will play a key role in managing project costs, preparing competitive tenders, overseeing procurement and ensuring projects are delivered within budget.

We use Evaluate for estimating and Construction Manager (Eque2) for project cost management. Previous experience with these systems would be advantageous, although full software training will be provided where required.

Key Responsibilities

• Estimating & Tendering: Prepare accurate cost estimates, material take-offs, cost plans and competitive tenders using Evaluate and Microsoft Excel.
• Cost Management: Monitor project budgets, track expenditure, manage variations and prepare monthly Cost Value Reconciliations (CVRs).
• Procurement: Manage subcontractor procurement, tender packages, supplier pricing and subcontractor selection.
• Commercial Management: Identify commercial risks, monitor project profitability and implement appropriate cost-control measures.
• Contract Administration: Manage contractual obligations, variations and final accounts in accordance with project requirements.
• Project Delivery: Work closely with project teams to ensure effective financial management throughout the project lifecycle.
• Site Visits: Attend regional construction sites to monitor progress, assess variations and support commercial decision-making.

About You

We are looking for someone who has:

• Proven experience working as a Quantity Surveyor or Estimator within residential construction or interior fit-out.
• Strong estimating, cost management and commercial awareness.
• Experience preparing tenders, material take-offs and subcontractor packages.
• A good understanding of construction methods, materials and subcontractor trades.
• Knowledge of JCT contracts and commercial risk management.
• Strong organisational skills and excellent attention to detail.
• The ability to manage multiple projects and work independently.
• Good communication and negotiation skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• A full, valid UK driving licence and the ability to travel to project sites.
• The ability to commute to our Wickford office.

Desirable but not essential

• Experience using Evaluate estimating software.
• Experience using Eque2 Construction Manager.

Training can be provided for candidates with strong quantity surveying or estimating experience who are unfamiliar with these systems.

What We Offer

• Competitive Salary: £50,000 – £60,000 per annum, depending on experience.
• Professional Development: Software training and support to develop your technical skills.
• Varied Projects: Opportunities to work on residential developments and high-specification interior fit-out projects.
• Career Development: The opportunity to take ownership of projects and develop your commercial expertise.
• Supportive Working Environment: A collaborative team that encourages independence, communication and professional growth.