Senior Estimator – Pre-Construction & Tenders

Involve Recruitment Ltd.; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Involve Recruitment Ltd. in Cardiff is seeking an experienced Estimator to support pre-construction and tendering activities on medium to large-scale construction projects.

You will prepare accurate tenders, cost plans and pricing schedules, coordinating with design, commercial and supply chain teams. The role involves reviewing information, identifying risks and opportunities, and contributing to tender strategy, ensuring buildability and compliant submissions.

Qualifications

• Relevant estimating or pre-construction experience within a main contracting environment.
• Experience preparing tenders for medium to large-scale construction projects.
• Strong analytical estimating, cost planning and commercial awareness.
• Ability to interpret drawings, specifications, programmes and contractual information.
• Understanding of construction methodology, sequencing, procurement, resource planning and risk management.
• Experience in refurbishment, fit-out, façade cladding remediation and complex occupied-building projects.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing deadlines.
• Effective communication, negotiation, and relationship-building with clients, consultants and supply chain.
• Confidence in maintaining tender documentation, cost information and estimating reports

Responsibilities

• Prepare and coordinate accurate, competitive and compliant tenders in line with client requirements and tender documentation.
• Review tender information, identify risks and opportunities, and contribute to tender strategy.
• Produce detailed estimates, cost plans, bills of quantities and pricing schedules.
• Manage subcontractor, supplier and consultant enquiries, evaluating quotations and preparing tender comparisons.
• Review construction methodology, programmes, logistics and resource requirements, identifying value-engineering opportunities.
• Work with design, commercial, operational and SHEQ teams to ensure tenders reflect buildability, procurement and programme.
• Attend site visits, tender interviews and client/consultant meetings as required.
• Maintain accurate tender records, cost data, benchmark rates and market intelligence.
• Manage estimating workload and deadlines, contributing to tender reviews, approvals and reporting.
• Support structured handovers to operational and commercial teams following contract award.
• Where appropriate, support Trainee and Graduate Estimators and contribute to continuous improvement.

Skills

Estimating

Cost planning

Tendering

Commercial awareness

Interpret drawings/specs/programmes

Buildability & risk

Negotiation & communication

Education

Main contracting experience

Tools

Cost data & estimating reports

Job description

Involve Recruitment Ltd. in Cardiff is seeking an experienced Estimator to support pre-construction and tendering activities on medium to large-scale construction projects.

You will prepare accurate tenders, cost plans and pricing schedules, coordinating with design, commercial and supply chain teams. The role involves reviewing information, identifying risks and opportunities, and contributing to tender strategy, ensuring buildability and compliant submissions.