Senior Estimator

Laing O'Rourke; Dartford; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Laing O'Rourke is seeking a Senior Estimator to price complex projects ranging from £5m to £100m+. The role demands collaboration across various teams and mentoring less experienced Estimators, while leveraging advanced estimating tools and practices. This position offers a competitive remuneration package and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Private Medical Insurance

Enhanced pension scheme

Parental leave schemes

33 days holiday including bank holidays

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience in estimating for structural concrete works.
• Confidence in managing the estimating lifecycle.
• Previous site experience in engineering or commercial roles is highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Pricing complex multi-sector projects.
• Collaborating across teams, including Design, Engineering, and Procurement.
• Mentoring less experienced Estimators.

Skills

First principles estimating

Understanding of formwork systems

Package management

Net prime cost forecasting

Communication skills

Education

Higher level qualification in relevant discipline

Tools

Estimating software (Candy)

Job description

At Expanded, we don't just build structures - we build expertise.

Location: Dartford (office-based), working closely with our wider bid teams.

The Role: Senior Estimator

As Senior Estimator, you'll play a key role in pricing technically complex, multi-sector projects ranging from £5m to £100m+ for both Laing O'Rourke and external clients. You'll leverage in-house design and manufacture capability and estimating software (we use Candy) to drive efficiency, accuracy, and consistency in all aspects of the estimating process.

You will also be at the forefront of embedding our unique value proposition, which includes self-delivery, digital engineering, and Design for Manufacture & Assembly (DfMA). Your role will involve collaborating across teams, including Design, Commercial, Engineering, Procurement, and Digital Engineering (BIM), while supporting and mentoring less experienced Estimators to promote a high-performance, knowledge-sharing culture.

About You:

You're not just a numbers person — you understand the logic and principles that drive them. You bring:

• Proven experience in first principles estimating – pricing labour, plant and materials productivity for structural concrete works (groundworks, basements, frames, highway structures).
• Understanding of formwork/falsework systems, jump and slip form techniques, and precast frame solutions (e.g. hollowcore, lattice planks, twinwalls, PC columns)
• Experience in package management, including supply chain enquiry generation and management.
• Expertise in net prime cost forecasting, preliminary costings, and first principles cost planning.
• Confidence in managing the full estimating lifecycle, from bid preparation to post-tender award and handover.
• An organised and proactive approach, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Previous site experience in engineering or commercial roles (highly regarded)
• A higher level qualification in relevant discipline (e.g. Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Quantity Surveying), with progress toward professional membership (RICS, CIOB, ICE, IMechE) preferred.
• Eligibility to obtain BPSS clearance.

CVs only tell us so much and so do job adverts.We'dwelcome an informal chat via Emma Woodall (Senior Resourcing Advisor) to discuss further –[e-mail]/07350368883

About us:

Expanded is a specialist contractor and the UK leader in reinforced concrete basements, substructures, and superstructure frame construction. As part of the Laing O'Rourke Group, we bring innovative solutions to the early phases of major construction projects.

We operate across two core divisions — Structures and Geotechnical — providing technically advanced solutions for some of the most complex and high-profile developments across the UK. With a combined turnover of £340 million, we possess the scale, capability, and in-house expertise to tackle the most challenging engineering projects.

We offer a competitiveremunerationpackage (base salary + car/travel allowance) with access to Private Medical Insurance; enhanced pension and parental leave schemes; Life/Dental/Critical illness insurance and income protection; 33 days holiday inc. bank holidays + 1 paid day for volunteering;professional development opportunities and more!

We are committed to making our recruitment process accessible to everyone. If you need the application form in an alternative format or have any questions about our process, please contact our resourcing team [e-mail].

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