Head of Cost Estimation – Prefab Construction (Civil / Civil & MEP)

Modulus Housing; Chennai District; On-site; INR 2,000,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction company is seeking a Head of Cost Estimation to lead their estimation function for prefab construction. This strategic role involves building scalable cost systems, ensuring accurate bids, and mentoring a high-performance team. Candidates should have 8-12 years of experience in cost estimation with strong skills in analytical thinking and stakeholder management. The position is crucial for driving competitive advantages and scaling operations in a rapidly growing sector.

Qualifications

• 8–12+ years of experience in cost estimation with strong exposure to Civil works.
• Significant exposure to prefab/modular construction.
• Proven track record of leading estimation teams.

Responsibilities

• Own and drive the complete estimation function across all projects.
• Define costing strategies that balance competitiveness and accuracy.
• Lead pre- and post‑tender evaluations to improve bid success rates.

Skills

Cost estimation

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Automation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or related field

Tools

CostX

Bluebeam

Excel

Google Sheets

Job description

Head of Cost Estimation – Prefab Construction (Civil / Civil & MEP)

Location: IITM RP, Taramani, Chennai

Role Overview

Are you ready to lead and redefine the future of construction costing? We are building the “IKEA for steel construction,” and we’re looking for a Head of Estimation to architect and own our entire cost intelligence function.

This is not just an estimation role—it is a strategic leadership position responsible for building scalable costing systems, driving competitive advantage, and ensuring we consistently win projects through precision, speed, and insight.

You will lead the end-to-end estimation ecosystem across Civil and MEP for prefab construction, develop automated and data‑driven costing frameworks, and build a high‑performance team aligned with our mission to industrialize construction.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Cost Leadership

• Own and drive the complete estimation function across all projects and tenders.
• Define costing strategies that balance competitiveness, accuracy, and profitability.
• Establish estimation as a core strategic advantage for the organization.
• Oversee preparation, validation, and finalization of detailed cost estimates for Civil and MEP systems.
• Ensure all estimates are accurate, compliant, and aligned with project specifications.
• Lead pre- and post‑tender evaluations to improve bid success rates.
• Build and maintain a centralized, dynamic cost database across materials, labor, and systems.
• Institutionalize structured rate analysis frameworks across all components.
• Leverage historical data to continuously improve estimation accuracy and benchmarking.

Stakeholder & Business Alignment

• Partner with leadership to support strategic bidding decisions and pricing strategies.
• Collaborate with design, engineering, procurement, and execution teams to ensure data accuracy.
• Engage with clients to clarify scope, optimize costs, and deliver value‑engineered solutions.

Team Leadership & Capability Building

• Build, lead, and mentor a high‑performance estimation team.
• Set benchmarks for quality, speed, and ownership within the team.
• Develop internal capabilities in automation, analytics, and advanced estimation practices.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, Construction Management, or related field.

Experience

• 8–12+ years of experience in cost estimation with strong exposure to Civil works (MEP experience is an added advantage).
• Significant exposure to prefab/modular construction.
• Proven track record of leading estimation teams and delivering winning bids.

Technical Expertise

• Advanced proficiency in estimation tools (CostX, Bluebeam, etc.) and Excel/Google Sheets.
• Strong experience in building cost databases and automation workflows.

Leadership & Mindset

• High ownership and “company‑first” mindset.
• Strong analytical thinking with attention to detail and speed.
• Ability to operate in high‑pressure environments with clarity and decisiveness.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.

Why This Role Matters

You will be the brain behind every number we quote—directly impacting our ability to win projects, scale operations, and build a category‑defining company.

This is a role for someone who doesn’t just estimate costs—but builds systems, teams, and strategies that scale.