Senior Estimator - Housebuilding

untypical; Bedford; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus Scheme

26 days holiday with additional bank (

Holiday Buy Scheme

Company Pension Scheme

Life Assurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Tilia Homes and Hopkins Homes are combining under the untypical banner to deliver affordable homes across the UK. We are recruiting a full-time Estimator to join the Commercial team and prepare budgets, estimates and cashflows from pre-land to handover.

You will support Land and Planning with accurate cost projections and opportunities. Key duties include maintaining cost allowances, producing financial appraisals, taking off quantities, and analysing quotations.

Qualifications

• Experience with a computerised estimating/measurement system such as Bluebeam or equivalent.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Office packages.
• Ability to read and translate quotations with attention to conditions or qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Prepare whole residential development budgets, estimates and cashflows from pre-land purchase to final budget.
• Deliver detailed financial appraisals for new land bids and cost/risk analysis for new sites.
• Take off quantities, obtain quotations, analyse results and produce finalisation documents.
• Incorporate tender documentation requirements from drawings and employer’s requirements.
• Regularly update build cost budgets and appraisals at milestones (planning submissions, start on site).
• Develop relationships with external consultants and specialists and stay aware of market costs.
• Visit sites to assess constraints affecting pricing strategy and value engineer where needed.

Skills

Bluebeam

Excel

Tender documentation

Cost estimation

Cost analysis

Reading drawings

Construction techniques

Communication

Deadline management

Housing QS background

Tools

Bluebeam

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Bringing together two trusted housebuilding brands, Tilia Homes and Hopkins Homes, untypical aims to make a positive difference to the UK housebuilding market and help to provide greater access to homes which are affordable for buyers.

Guided by an innovative approach and a commitment to excellence, untypical focuses on creating sustainable, inclusive communities, delivering homes across the UK that people want to live in and are good for the planet.

Our people are at the heart of what we do and in order for us to succeed in becoming the UK’s most customer-centric housebuilder, we are looking for talented and ambitious individuals to join our team.

Our benefits package includes:

• Bonus Scheme
• 26 days holiday with additional bank holidays
• Holiday Buy Scheme
• Company Pension Scheme
• Life Assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme

We are looking to recruit a full time Estimator. The aim of the post is to work as part of our Commercial team and be responsible for preparing whole residential development budgets, estimates and cashflows from pre-land purchase to final budget estimate, prior to the handover to the Quantity Surveying and Buying teams. It will provide accurate estimates to the Land and Planning department to assist in secure Land/Business opportunities as well as to maximise the cost effectiveness of developments.

• Maintain the database of standard cost allowances, and work closely with the commercial department to ensure cost assumptions are current
• Deliver detailed financial appraisals for new land bids and undertake cost and risk analysis for new sites
• Responsible for taking off quantities, procuring competitive quotations, analysing the results and producing finalisation documents
• Consider drawings and the employer’s requirements to understand the requirements of the tender documentation
• Once land is purchased ensure that the build cost budget is updated at regular intervals e.g. quarterly to ensure the appraisal remains robust and in line with build cost inflation. Also ensure the budget is updated at key milestones such as planning submission and for start on site budget.
• Consider sub-contract quotes and attendances to incorporate into estimates
• Visit site to establish site constraints etc, that may affect pricing strategy
• Developing strong relationships with external consultants and other specialists
• Develop and maintain market awareness on materials and sub-contractor prices
• Be technically competent with a very good understanding of the building process
• Analyse and critique all information provided to the Department for cost effectiveness
• Explore and present innovative construction techniques to reduce cost
• Value engineer specifications and materials to enhance cost effectiveness

We’re looking for the following skills and experience:

• Experience with a computerised estimating/measurement system e.g. Bluebeam or equivalent
• Microsoft office packages, in particular Microsoft Excel.
• Examples of reading and translating quotations, resolving any conditions or qualifications contained therein
• To be able to read and understand tender documentation (correspondence, drawings, specifications, etc) either in a paper or electronic version, including action as required
• Proven history of recording and documenting tender costs, outputs and associated information arising from the preparation of the tenderA detailed knowledge of construction techniques and building regulations.
• The ability to challenge consultants design where appropriate and offer more cost-effective solutions to aid development viability.
• Good organisational skills together with the ability to prioritise work and work to strict deadlines
• Individuals with a housing Quantity Surveying background will also be considered
• Confident communication at all levels and with 3rd parties both verbally and in written form

Tilia Homes and Hopkins Homes are ambitious, customer focused housebuilders that put people and the planet at the heart of everything we do. We're dedicated to delivering the best possible standards in design, build quality, and service for our customers.

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive and diverse employer of choice. From new starters and those looking to embrace a new challenge, to those who know the industry like the back of their hand, we take pride in building careers, not just communities.