Senior Estimator

Laing O'Rourke; Dartford; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A major construction firm located in Dartford is seeking a Senior Estimator to manage pricing for complex, large-scale projects. The role involves collaborating with multiple teams to ensure efficiency in the estimating process and mentoring junior staff. Candidates should have proven experience in first principles estimating and relevant qualifications. This position offers a competitive compensation package alongside professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Private Medical Insurance

Enhanced pension and parental leave schemes

Professional development opportunities

33 days holiday including bank holidays

Qualifications

• Proven experience in first principles estimating for structural concrete works.
• Confidence in managing the full estimating lifecycle from bid preparation to handover.
• Previous site experience in engineering or commercial roles is highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Price technically complex, multi-sector projects ranging from £5m to £100m+.
• Collaborate across various teams including Design, Commercial, and Engineering.
• Support and mentor less experienced Estimators.

Skills

First principles estimating

Understanding of formwork/falsework systems

Package management

Net prime cost forecasting

Excellent communication skills

Site experience in engineering

Education

Higher level qualification in Construction Management

Tools

Candy estimating software

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.

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 competitive remuneration package (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!

As part of the Disability Confident scheme, we would like to enable access to candidates with long term conditions and disabilities through the ‘Offer an interview scheme'. This supports applicants that meet the essential criteria by offering an interview for the advertised position. Please let us know if you would like to opt in to this scheme and let us know if you require any adjustments for the interview process.
We want to ensure our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you need the application form in an alternative format or you would like to know more about our recruitment process, please email [e-mail]