Cost Estimator - UK Construction

VirtuHire; South Africa; Remote; ZAR 886,000 - 1,550,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

UK business hours

Job summary

VirtuHire invites an experienced Estimator or Quantity Surveyor to join a UK-focused consultancy on a fully remote basis. You will lead detailed cost estimates, take-offs, and tender submissions while validating AI-generated outputs with professional judgment.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years in construction estimating, strong reading of drawings, and a track record across residential, commercial, or mixed-use projects, with fluent English communications.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years hands-on construction estimating or quantity surveying experience.
• Strong understanding of drawings, specifications, take-offs and pricing methodologies.
• Experience preparing estimates for residential, commercial, or mixed-use construction projects and UK-based contractors.

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed cost estimates and tender pricing submissions.
• Review architectural and construction drawings and specifications.
• Perform quantity take-offs and measure project requirements accurately.
• Assess project scope and identify potential cost risks or omissions.
• Validate and quality-check AI-generated estimates and take-offs.
• Apply professional judgement to identify pricing discrepancies, logic errors, or missing information.
• Liaise directly with contractors, builders, and project stakeholders to clarify project requirements.
• Maintain estimating databases and pricing information.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives within the estimating process.
• Work collaboratively within a fast-paced and evolving environment.

Skills

Estimating

Quantity take-offs

Pricing methods

Remote work

English comms

Job description

Description

About the Company

Our client is a fast-growing UK-based construction estimating and quantity surveying consultancy that provides accurate building cost estimates, tender pricing, and quantity surveying services to builders, architects, developers, and homeowners across the United Kingdom.

Having experienced significant organic growth over the past few years, the business is now investing heavily in technology, automation, and AI-driven processes to enhance efficiency and scalability. They are seeking an experienced Estimator who can combine strong construction estimating expertise with a forward-thinking approach to technology and innovation.

The Opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Estimator or Quantity Surveyor to join a growing construction consultancy during a period of expansion and transformation.

Initially, the role will focus on producing accurate construction estimates, completing take-offs, reviewing drawings, and supporting tender submissions. As the company's AI and automation capabilities continue to evolve, the role will increasingly focus on validating and quality-checking AI-generated outputs, applying professional judgement to ensure accuracy and identify inconsistencies.

This is not a data-entry role and not a purely AI-focused position. The successful candidate must have strong estimating fundamentals and the confidence to independently assess costs, quantities, and project requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed construction cost estimates and tender pricing submissions.
• Review architectural and construction drawings and specifications.
• Perform quantity take-offs and measure project requirements accurately.
• Assess project scope and identify potential cost risks or omissions.
• Validate and quality-check AI-generated estimates and take-offs.
• Apply professional judgement to identify pricing discrepancies, logic errors, or missing information.
• Liaise directly with contractors, builders, and project stakeholders to clarify project requirements.
• Maintain estimating databases and pricing information.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives within the estimating process.
• Work collaboratively within a fast-paced and evolving environment.

Requirements

• Minimum 5 years of hands-on construction estimating or quantity surveying experience.
• Strong understanding of construction drawings, specifications, take-offs, and pricing methodologies.
• Experience preparing estimates for residential, commercial, or mixed-use construction projects.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail and commercial awareness.
• Comfortable communicating with UK-based contractors and construction professionals via phone and email.
• Ability to work independently and manage workload effectively in a remote environment.
• Positive attitude towards technology, AI, and process automation.
• Strong written and verbal English communication skills.

Ideal Background

• Experience within a construction estimating consultancy, SME, or fast-paced construction business.
• Exposure to UK construction projects and estimating practices.
• Experience working in a growing business, agency, consultancy, or entrepreneurial environment.
• Comfortable adapting to changing priorities and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Naturally proactive, accountable, and solutions-focused.

What Success Looks Like

Within the first 90 days, you will be confidently producing accurate estimates while becoming a trusted reviewer of AI-assisted outputs. You will play a key role in ensuring the quality, accuracy, and reliability of project pricing while contributing to the ongoing evolution of the company's estimating processes.

Benefits

• Permanent, full-time remote position.
• Monday to Friday, UK business hours.
• Long-term career growth opportunity.
• Exposure to innovative AI and automation initiatives within the construction industry.
• Opportunity to join a growing business during an exciting expansion phase.

Additional Information

• Permanent, full-time remote position.
• Monday to Friday, UK business hours.
• Long-term career growth opportunity.
• Exposure to innovative AI and automation initiatives within the construction industry.
• Opportunity to join a growing business during an exciting expansion phase.