Estimator

Cook Brothers Construction; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Cook Brothers Construction is seeking an experienced Estimator to join our national Pre-Construction team across NZ. You’ll prepare competitive tenders, measure quantities, develop budgets, and support regional delivery from Queenstown to Auckland.

In this role you’ll liaise with clients, trade partners, and design teams, review subcontractor quotations, and ensure tender activities follow our processes. A Diploma/Degree in a relevant field and 5+ years’ estimating experience are required.

Qualifications

• 5+ years’ estimating experience on tier 2 commercial construction projects.
• National Diploma or Degree in a relevant field (required)
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to build credibility and rapport
• Proven budget and cost control capability
• Experience in commercial risk management and reporting
• Ability to read and interpret drawings and specifications
• Tendering and negotiation skills
• High level of integrity and professional standards
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and able to read Microsoft Project
• Strong teamwork skills and ability to contribute to a close-knit team
• Knowledge of the Construction Contracts Act and Local Government Act (preferred)
• Commitment to Zero Harm and safe work practices

Responsibilities

• Prepare accurate, competitive, and commercially sustainable tenders
• Measure quantities and develop detailed project budgets
• Liaise with clients, trade partners, and design teams during pre-construction
• Review subcontractor and supplier quotations and make informed selections
• Ensure all tender activities follow agreed processes and systems
• Accurately measure direct works trades using CostX
• Administer tender documentation through Procore
• Write clear, descriptive, and accurate tender submission letters
• Work closely with operational teams on tender programmes and buildability
• Share knowledge with the Estimating team and wider business
• Uphold Zero Harm principles and promote a positive health & safety culture

Skills

Estimating experience

Communication skills

Budget & cost control

Risk management

Drawings & specs reading

Tendering & negotiation

MS Word/Excel/Outlook

MS Project

Teamwork

Zero Harm / safety

Education

National Diploma or Degree in a relevant field

Tools

CostX

Procore

Microsoft Project

Job description

About the Role: Estimator, Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, or Queenstown.

As an Estimator, you’ll play a key part in our national Pre-Construction team, preparing and pricing competitive, comprehensive, and commercially sustainable tenders. You’ll work across a wide variety of commercial construction projects, measuring quantities, developing budgets, and supporting our regions to secure high-quality, innovative work.

This role partners closely with clients, trade partners, design teams, and internal operational teams. You’ll be a trusted advisor during the pre-construction phase, helping shape buildability, value engineering, and project success from day one.

This position can be based in Queenstown, Otago, Canterbury, Auckland, depending on your preference.

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare accurate, competitive, and commercially sustainable tenders
• Measure quantities and develop detailed project budgets
• Liaise with clients, trade partners, and design teams during pre-construction
• Review subcontractor and supplier quotations and make informed selections
• Ensure all tender activities follow agreed processes and systems
• Accurately measure direct works trades using CostX
• Administer tender documentation through Procore
• Write clear, descriptive, and accurate tender submission letters
• Work closely with operational teams on tender programmes and buildability
• Share knowledge with the Estimating team and wider business
• Uphold Zero Harm principles and promote a positive health & safety culture

Skills and Experience:

• 5+ years’ estimating experience on tier 2 commercial construction projects
• National Diploma or Degree in a relevant field (required)
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to build credibility and rapport
• Proven budget and cost control capability
• Experience in commercial risk management and reporting
• Ability to read and interpret drawings and specifications
• Tendering and negotiation skills
• High level of integrity and professional standards
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and able to read Microsoft Project
• Strong teamwork skills and ability to contribute to a close-knit team
• Knowledge of the Construction Contracts Act and Local Government Act (preferred)
• Commitment to Zero Harm and safe work practices

What we offer:

• Competitive remuneration package
• Opportunities to work on exciting, complex, and award-winning projects
• Career development and professional growth supported by a high-performing team
• A positive, collaborative workplace culture
• Work/life balance and the lifestyle benefits of living in great loctions
• Health and wellbeing support, including access to EAP services
• Social events, team activities, and a genuinely supportive environment
• Exposure to landmark commercial developments across New Zealand
• A company that values innovation, continuous improvement, and excellence

About Us

At Cook Brothers Construction, we back our teams to take ownership, make smart calls, and deliver with pride. Our strength lies in our people and their drive to continually raise the bar. This has led to a legacy of 20 years of dedication and teamwork. We value hard work, celebrate achievements, and take pride in the results we create and the connections we form.

From our Dunedin roots to growth across Auckland, Canterbury, Southern Lakes, Wānaka, and Otago, we’ve built a reputation as one of New Zealand’s leading construction firms.

Our foundations are clear: innovation, quality, sustainability, client satisfaction, health, safety and wellbeing.

If you’re looking to contribute to a company that values trust, collaboration, and growth, Cook Brothers is the place to be.

Why Join Us?

This is a great opportunity if you’re looking for a role where you can apply your technical expertise, grow your career, and be part of a team that genuinely values what you bring.

You’ll be working on meaningful, high-profile projects in one of the most stunning parts of the country, surrounded by people who want you to succeed and who take pride in delivering exceptional work.

Health, safety and wellbeing come first, so a pre-employment medical, including drug and alcohol testing is required.