Senior Estimator

Ocean Housing

St. Austell

On-site

GBP 60,000 - 80,000

Full time

9 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Workplace pension with death-in‑svc

Home office work payment

Medicash health plan (including dental

Cycle to Work scheme

Rewards and recognition programme

On-site parking

Employee Assistance Programme

Family-friendly policies

Job summary

Gilbert & Goode, part of Ocean Housing Group, seeks a Senior Estimator to provide accurate, efficient, and commercially focused estimating across development and contracting pipelines. You will lead the estimating function, produce cost plans, and prepare competitive tenders while collaborating with Land, Technical, Sales and Build teams.

You will manage risks, quantify opportunities, and negotiate with suppliers, delivering clear cost reports and contributing to profitable schemes.

Qualifications

Significant estimator experience in housebuilding or construction.
Strong knowledge of general contracting and cost planning.
Proven ability to deliver profitable outcomes and manage financial performance.
Experience using estimating software and Microsoft Office.
Excellent organisational, time management and analytical skills.
Strong communication, negotiation and stakeholder engagement.
Ability to manage risk and present clear recommendations to senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Lead the estimating function, ensuring viability appraisals are accurate and up to date.
Produce cost plans from land opportunities through board-approved budgets.
Prepare competitive tenders and develop tender strategies.
Identify, analyse and manage risks and opportunities within projects.
Seek and negotiate competitive quotations from the supply chain.
Work with Technical teams to achieve cost-effective design solutions.
Produce reports, cost workbooks and tender documentation.
Chair and contribute to tender meetings and decision-making.
Maintain and develop live build cost data library.
Monitor industry trends and provide cost intelligence.

Skills

Estimating experience

Cost planning

Profitability & finance

Estimating software

Microsoft Office

Time management

Communication & negotiation

Risk management

Education

HNC (Level 5) in Building Construction

Degree (Level 6) in Construction

CIOB membership

Experience in affordable housing / new build / contracting

Knowledge of Esti-mate software

Tools

Estimating software

Job description

We are seeking a talented Senior Estimator to provide an accurate, efficient and commercially focused estimating service across our development and contracting pipelines. Reporting to the Commercial Operations Director, you’ll play a critical role in ensuring our schemes remain competitive, viable and profitable.

You’ll work collaboratively across Land, Technical, Sales and Build teams, influencing decisions from initial land appraisals through to detailed tenders and delivery.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead the estimating function, ensuring all viability appraisals are accurate and up to date
Produce cost plans from initial land opportunities through to board-approved budgets
Prepare competitive tenders and develop tender strategies
Identify, analyse and manage risks and opportunities within projects
Seek and negotiate competitive quotations from the supply chain
Work closely with Technical teams to achieve cost-effective design solutions
Produce clear reports, cost workbooks and tender documentation
Chair and contribute to tender meetings and decision-making processes
Maintain and develop the company’s live build cost data library
Monitor industry trends and provide cost intelligence to the business

About You

Essential qualifications and experience:

Significant experience as an estimator within the housebuilding or construction sector
Strong knowledge of general contracting and cost planning
Proven ability to deliver profitable outcomes and manage financial performance
Experience using estimating software and Microsoft Office packages
Excellent organisational, time management and analytical skills
Strong communication, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills
Ability to manage risk and present clear recommendations to senior stakeholders

Qualifications

HNC (or Level 5 equivalent) in Building Construction or equivalent
Degree (Level 6) in Construction or related discipline
CIOB membership
Experience in affordable housing, new build or contracting
Knowledge of local supply chains and Esti-mate software

Why Join Gilbert & Goode?

Bring your skills to a company with a strong regional reputation and a values‑led purpose.

We build more than homes — we create places where life unfolds.

At Gilbert & Goode, we are committed to “building inspiring homes and creating lasting memories", placing customers at the heart of everything we do.

We proudly hold the In‑house 2026 Platinum Award for Customer Satisfaction, reflecting the trust our customers place in us and the exceptional buying experience we deliver.

A leading regional housebuilder with purpose.

Since 1972, Gilbert & Goode has grown into one of the South West’s most respected new homes developers, creating inspiring neighbourhoods across Cornwall and Devon.

Your work has real social value.

As part of Ocean Housing Group, our profits are gift‑aided back to support the delivery of affordable housing. This means your contribution directly helps provide homes for local people and strengthens the communities we serve.

We believe the most successful developments are shaped by the people who live in them. Community voices influence our designs, ensuring our homes and neighbourhoods genuinely meet local needs.

Alongside this sense of purpose, you’ll join a supportive, collaborative, and forward‑thinking team, based at our St Austell headquarters with strong local roots and a deep commitment to the region.

We offer a flexible and supportive working environment, plus an excellent benefits package: