Main purpose of role: As part of our continued expansion, we are seeking a commercially astute Estimator / Surveyor whose primary purpose is to attend site to scope, measure, cost and quote works across small, medium and large refurbishment and repairs projects — removing this workload from Site Managers, who currently lose significant time to quoting. The postholder surveys and measures works on site, prices them against National Housing Federation Schedule of Rates version 8 or our internal schedule of rates and benchmarked London rates, and issues clear, timely quotations, before handing a fully priced scope of works to the Site Manager for delivery. The role combines this front-end estimating with a working quantity surveying function — preparing Bills of Quantities and cost plans, valuing variations, supporting interim valuations and final accounts, and tracking cost and profitability. In doing so it improves pricing consistency and value for money, gives the business clear visibility of project margins, and frees Site Managers to focus on delivering projects, ensuring materials are on site, and enforcing health and safety.
1. Estimating & Quoting
- Scope and measure works from site visits, drawings and specifications across voids, repairs, refurbishment, retrofit, FM and specialist projects.
- Prepare accurate estimates and priced quotations using NHF Schedule of Rates version 8 and benchmarked London rates, or internal SOR’s including labour, materials, preliminaries, overheads and profit.
- Produce outline budgets, cost plans and feasibility estimates to support bids, business cases and client approvals.
- Prepare clear, client-facing quotations and cost breakdowns, and issue them within agreed timescales.
- Hand a fully priced, measured scope of works to the Site Manager for planning and delivery, and remain the point of contact for any scope or pricing queries.
2. Measurement & Bills of Quantities
- Undertake measurement and take-offs from drawings and site to prepare Bills of Quantities, schedules of works and pricing documents.
- Build and maintain Schedule of Rates pricing libraries, rate build-ups and cost / benchmarking databases.
3. Quantity Surveying & Commercial Management
- Provide pre- and post-contract quantity surveying support, including pricing schedules, tender documentation, bid analysis and evaluation.
- Assess subcontractor quotations and payment applications for commercial compliance and value for money.
- Price and value variations, support interim valuations and payment applications, and assist with final accounts, maintaining a clear and auditable commercial trail.
- Track project costs, variations and margins, and produce cost reports highlighting budget position, risk and profitability.
4. Procurement Support
- Support materials and subcontractor procurement – pricing, comparison and ordering – working with operations and the buyer to secure value for money.
5. Stakeholder Liaison & Commercial Advice
- Provide clear, timely commercial advice to operational teams, project leads, clients and council stakeholders.
- Present cost and commercial information clearly to non-technical audiences.
6. Compliance, Records & Continuous Improvement
- Maintain accurate commercial records, cost trackers and completion cost files.
- Contribute to the development of estimating and commercial processes, templates and benchmarking data.
Ensure compliance with health & safety obligations, contract conditions and company policies.
Skills, Experience & Qualifications
Essential
- Proven experience estimating and pricing works in property maintenance, void refurbishment, repairs, retrofit or construction.
- Strong ability to scope and measure works and prepare accurate estimates using NHF version 8 Schedule of Rates (or similar) and benchmarked London rates.
- Demonstrable ability to prepare Bills of Quantities, schedules of works and pricing documents.
- Working knowledge of quantity surveying functions – measurement, valuations, variations, cost control and reporting.
- Strong numeracy, analytical skills and attention to detail, with the ability to interpret drawings, specifications and pricing data.
- Confident user of Excel, estimating / measurement software and cost-reporting templates, with good document-control discipline.
- Sound commercial judgement and negotiation skills, with a focus on value for money.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills.
- Relevant qualification in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction, Estimating or a related field – or equivalent demonstrable experience.
Desirable
- Working towards or holding MRICS, MCIOB or ACostE membership (or willingness to work towards chartership).
- Knowledge of JCT and/or NEC contract administration, including variations, valuations and final accounts.
- Experience in social housing, local authority or arms-length delivery environments.
- Experience across retrofit, damp & mould / disrepair, FM or capital works programmes.
Training or certification in health and safety (e.g. IOSH, SMSTS, SSSTS).
Pay: £45,000.00-£55,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
