Senior Estimator

Fawkes & Reece London; Hemel Hempstead; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Fawkes & Reece (West) are seeking a Senior Estimator to take ownership of the full estimating process from tender enquiry through pre-construction to handover on roofing, facades and cladding projects.

You will review tender enquiries, drawings and specs, prepare accurate take-offs and cost estimates, manage supplier quotes and coordinate with procurement, design and operations to ensure competitive, compliant submissions.

Qualifications

• 5+ years' estimating experience within roofing and cladding.
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, specifications and docs.
• Proven experience producing detailed, accurate and commercially robust estimates.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the full estimating process from enquiry to handover.
• Review tender enquiries, specs and drawings to establish scope and requirements.
• Prepare accurate take-offs, measurements and detailed cost estimates for labour, materials, plant and subcontract works.

Skills

Estimating experience

Reading drawings

Communication

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Tools

Eque2

Evaluate

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Fawkes & Reece (West) are working in partnership with a well-established, Bristol-based specialist contractor operating within the facades and cladding sector, who are looking to appoint an experienced Senior Estimator to join their growing team.

This is a key position within the estimating function, offering the opportunity to take ownership of projects from initial tender enquiry through to submission, pre-construction and commercial handover.

You will work closely with clients, suppliers, subcontractors, procurement, design and operational teams to develop accurate, competitive and commercially robust estimates that support successful project delivery.

The Role

As Senior Estimator, you will take responsibility for managing the full estimating process, ensuring projects are thoroughly assessed and that all costs, risks and requirements are identified before tenders are submitted.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Reviewing tender enquiries, specifications and construction drawings to establish project scope and requirements.
• Attending site visits and liaising with clients and other stakeholders to clarify project requirements.
• Preparing accurate take-offs, measurements and detailed cost estimates for labour, materials, plant, services and subcontract works.
• Identifying project risks, exclusions and assumptions and ensuring these are appropriately reflected within tender pricing.
• Sourcing, reviewing and managing supplier and subcontractor quotations.
• Working closely with procurement to ensure competitive and accurate pricing.
• Coordinating with design, commercial and operational teams to ensure tender submissions are accurate, complete and submitted on time.
• Supporting the pre-construction phase alongside the Commercial Manager, coordinating scope, design, procurement, programme, logistics and operational requirements.
• Assisting with agreeing final project pricing and payment terms prior to commencement.
• Completing thorough commercial handovers to the project delivery team, ensuring all relevant tender and commercial information is clearly communicated.
• Providing ongoing estimating support throughout project delivery, including pricing complex variations and additional works.
• Ensuring relevant statutory, legal, health, safety and environmental requirements are considered throughout the estimating and pre-construction process.
• Building and maintaining strong professional relationships with clients, suppliers, subcontractors and internal stakeholders.
• Supporting continuous improvement of estimating processes and procedures.

About You

We are looking for an experienced estimator with a strong background in roofing, facades and/or cladding, who is confident managing the full tender process from enquiry through to handover.

Essential Experience

• 5+ years' estimating experience within the roofing and cladding industry.
• Strong understanding of subcontract documentation and construction tender processes.
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, specifications and associated documentation.
• Proven experience completing accurate quantity take-offs and measurements.
• Experience producing detailed, accurate and commercially robust estimates.
• Strong understanding of labour, material, plant and subcontract costs.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong attention to detail and organisational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tenders, priorities and deadlines effectively.
• A collaborative approach with the ability to build strong relationships with clients, suppliers, subcontractors and internal teams.

Desirable

• Experience using Eque2.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills.
• Experience using Evaluate or similar estimating software.
• Previous experience within a specialist facade, cladding or roofing contractor.

What Does Success Look Like?

As Senior Estimator, you will provide a professional, efficient and commercially focused estimating service to the business.

You will be a natural planner and collaborator, bringing structure, clear communication and commercial awareness to every tender. You will be comfortable working with complex technical and commercial information and able to communicate this clearly to both internal and external stakeholders.

As a senior member of the team, you will represent the business professionally when dealing with clients, suppliers and subcontractors, helping to maintain its reputation for quality, service and successful project delivery.

The successful candidate will be practical, solutions-focused and commercially minded, with the confidence to identify opportunities for improvement and suggest changes that can add value to the estimating and pre-construction functions.

The position offers the opportunity to:

• Take ownership of the estimating process.
• Work on a varied portfolio of specialist projects.
• Build strong relationships with clients and supply-chain partners.
• Work closely with experienced commercial, design and operational teams.
• Influence and improve estimating and pre-construction processes.
• Play a key role in the continued growth and success of the business.