Senior Estimator

Apple Technical Recruitment (UK); Cambridge; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Salary sacrifice electric car

Market leading holiday allowance

Performance bonus

Pension

Job summary

Apple Technical Recruitment (UK) are assisting a private Main Contractor in Cambridge to recruit a Senior Estimator. The role focuses on cost plans, BOQs and tender pricing for single and two-stage bids across £5m-£20m projects.

You will work within the Pre-Construction team, producing cost plans, taking offs and procurement activities, and driving competitive pricing while building strong regional subcontractor relationships.

Qualifications

• 5-7+ years of pure estimating experience.
• Experience as an Estimator at a Main Contractor.
• Strong commercial awareness and value engineering knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Manage cost plans and pricing of single-stage and two-stage tenders (typically £5m-£20m) under JCT/NEC forms.
• Produce BOQs, take-offs, full cost plans and target cost reporting; include pre-construction surveying duties such as deed of appointment and procurement.
• Lead bid reviews and drive competitive pricing; secure key regional work.

Skills

Estimating experience

Conquest software

Commercial awareness

Education

Construction-related degree/HNC/NVQ

Tools

Conquest

Job description

Vacancy Summary

Job Title: Senior Estimator

Job Type: Permanent

Job Ref: #1466

Location: Cambridgeshire (Office on outskirts of Cambridge with parking)

Start Date: Dec 2026 onwards to suit applicants notice period

Salary: £75k-£80k basic salary + excellent benefits package including:

• Car Allowance including option for salary sacrifice electric car scheme
• Market leading holiday allowance
• Performance bonus
• Pension

Company & Project:

An award winning privately owned Main Contractor who have a track record delivering New Build and Refurbishment projects between c£5m-£30m across Commercial, Higher Education, Healthcare, Blue Light, Education and Residential sectors are looking to recruit a Senior Estimator to join their Pre Construction team in Cambridge. This position involves working closely with senior leadership and directors with great exposure to the growth of the regional office.

Our client has a busy order book already secured for 2027 and they are continuing to be strategic in targeting new business, offering a stable environment backed by decades of winning and delivering projects in the East.

The Main Contractor is an innovative and growing business, offering a collaborative culture and genuine room for long-term career progression as the Pre-Construction division expands.

They are recognised for their long term success delivering projects secured from both framework 2-stage tenders (regional and national frameworks) in addition to securing projects from single stage tenders in the local area.

Duties & Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will take responsibility for managing the cost plans and pricing of single stage tenders and two stage tenders in the main under JCT & NEC forms of contract and typically c£5m-£20m in value.

You will produce BOQ's, take offs, full cost plans and target cost reporting with occasional pre con surveying duties including deed of appointment and procurement, playing a central role in driving competitive strategy, leading bid reviews, and securing key regional work.

Desirable Experience:

• Experience as an Estimator at a Main Contractor.
• Minimum of 5-7 years+ experience in pure Estimating roles.
• Established relationships within the local sub-contractor network across East Anglia/Cambridgeshire would be advantageous but not essential.
• Good knowledge of Conquest estimating software would be advantageous, alongside a strong commercial awareness of value engineering.
• Previous Roles: Senior Estimator OR Estimator OR Principal Estimator.

Qualifications & Skills:

Degree or HNC or NVQ in Construction related subject or comparable.

and Conquest software experience.