- Salary 12$AUD per hour (Negotiable up to 20AUD per hour)
- Work Experience 1-3 years
- Remote Job
Job Description
This is a remote position.
Working hours: 8AM-2PM Melbourne Time
Part time 30hrs to start possible to go Fulltime
VA Rate : $12AUD per hour (*Negotiable up to *20AUD per hour)
Company background: AU Construction
General tasks: preparing electrical drawings, reviewing project plans, performing quantity take-offs, estimating labour and material costs, and preparing accurate quotations for electrical projects.
JOB DETAILS
We are seeking an experienced HVAC Controls Estimator to join our team and provide high-quality estimating support for Australian HVAC and electrical projects.
This is primarily an estimating-focused role, with a smaller drafting component (approximately 10%). The successful candidate will be responsible for reviewing plans and specifications, interpreting HVAC control requirements, completing detailed quantity take-offs, preparing labour and material estimates, obtaining supplier pricing, and preparing accurate tenders and quotations.
The ideal candidate has strong experience in HVAC controls estimating, understands electrical and mechanical systems, can confidently interpret Australian construction documentation, and has sufficient AutoCAD capability to make minor drawing revisions and technical updates when required.
Key Responsibilities
- Review architectural, mechanical, HVAC, electrical plans, specifications, scope of works and tender documentation.
- Interpret HVAC control requirements and identify required control components, equipment and materials.
- Perform detailed quantity take-offs from drawings and specifications.
- Estimate quantities and costs for HVAC controls and associated electrical works,
- Prepare Bills of Quantities (BOQs), material take-offs and cost estimates.
- Calculate labour requirements and installation costs.
- Obtain, review and compare supplier and subcontractor quotations.
- Maintain accurate supplier pricing and estimating databases.
- Prepare detailed and competitive tender submissions and quotations.
- Apply appropriate mark-ups, margins, overheads and allowances.
- Review project scope and identify exclusions, assumptions, discrepancies and potential cost risks.
- Identify scope gaps and prepare Requests for Information (RFIs) where clarification is required.
- Assist with pricing variations, change orders and additional works.
- Review tender outcomes and assist with cost comparisons against actual project costs.
- Support project teams with budget updates, pricing reviews and commercial analysis.
- Ensure estimates are accurate, commercially competitive and aligned with project requirements.
CAD & Drafting Support – 10%
- Review and interpret electrical and HVAC control drawings.
- Make minor revisions and updates to existing AutoCAD drawings.
- Update control layouts, wiring diagrams, schematics and equipment locations as required.
- Incorporate engineering, site and client revisions into existing drawings.
- Assist with basic as-built drawing updates.
- Mark up drawings to support estimating and project coordination.
- Maintain accurate drawing registers and documentation.
Note: This is not a full-time electrical design or drafting position. Advanced electrical design capability is not required; the primary focus is estimating.
Technical & Plan Review
The candidate should be able to understand how HVAC equipment, electrical systems and control systems interact and translate this information into accurate quantities and project costs.
The successful candidate will be comfortable working across:
- HVAC and mechanical plans
- Electrical plans
- Architectural drawings
- Project specifications
Australian Experience
- Experience working with Australian construction projects is strongly preferred, particularly within HVAC, mechanical services, electrical contracting or building services.
- Candidates with knowledge of applicable Australian Standards / AS-NZS requirements, Australian tendering practices, construction documentation and terminology will be highly regarded.
HVAC Controls Experience
The successful candidate should have practical knowledge of HVAC controls, including exposure to areas such as:
- Building Management Systems (BMS)
- Building Automation Systems (BAS)
- Sensors
- Actuators
- Valves
- Dampers
- VFDs/VSDs
- Relays and contactors
- HVAC equipment interfaces
- Control points and sequences
- Mechanical/electrical equipment coordination
- Experience with specific HVAC controls platforms or manufacturers will be advantageous.
Software
- Microsoft Excel – Advanced
- Bluebeam Revu or equivalent PDF take-off software
Advantageous
Experience with Australian estimating and construction software is highly desirable.
- AutoCAD
- CostX
- Groundplanr
- Simpro
- Procore
- Aconex
- Other estimating/take-off platforms
- Quantity Take-offs
- BOQ Preparation
- Cost Analysisr
- Electrical & Mechanical Plan Reading
- Australian Construction Documentation
- AutoCAD
- Advanced Excel
- Scope & Specification Review
- Numerical Accuracy
- Attention to Detail
- Problem Solving
- Time Management
Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate is an estimator first, with strong HVAC controls knowledge and enough CAD capability to support minor drafting requirements. We are particularly interested in candidates who have experience working with Australian HVAC, mechanical services, electrical or building services contractors and who can independently take a tender from plans and specifications through to a complete, commercially sound estimate. A candidate does not need to be an advanced electrical drafter or electrical designer. The priority is strong estimating capability, HVAC controls knowledge, technical plan interpretation and commercial accuracy.
Success in This Role
Success will be measured by the candidate's ability to:
- Produce accurate and detailed estimates.
- Consistently identify all required HVAC control components and associated electrical works
- Minimise estimating errors and scope omissions
- Deliver tenders within required deadlines
- Identify potential cost risks before submission.
- Produce clear and well-organised BOQs and supporting documentation.
- Understand Australian project requirements and terminology.
- Provide reliable CAD support without requiring extensive drafting supervision.
- Communicate technical and commercial information clearly with the Australian project team.