Construction Estimator
Location: Marsh Green, Edenbridge, Kent
Salary: £45,000–£60,000 per annum, depending on experience
Working pattern: Full-time, permanent, with the potential for a four-day week
Hybrid working: Normally two office-based days each week
About W A Thompson
W A Thompson is an established residential construction company delivering projects across Kent, Surrey and Sussex. Our work ranges from new-build homes, extensions and major refurbishments to complex works on listed and heritage properties.
This is an exciting and pivotal time of growth for the business. We are looking for an experienced Construction Estimator who can take ownership of our estimating function, increase our tendering capacity and help us secure the right projects at sustainable margins.
The successful candidate will work closely with the Directors, Cost Manager, Project Managers and site teams. This is primarily an estimating role, with support provided to our Cost Manager and wider commercial function as required.
The Role
The Directors generally manage initial enquiries and meet prospective clients.
Following this initial stage, the Estimator will attend a site visit, review the available project information and take responsibility for preparing the budget or tender submission.
We are looking for someone experienced, commercially aware and able to hit the ground running.
Key Responsibilities
- Attend site visits before commencing the estimating process.
- Prepare early-stage budgets, cost plans, detailed estimates and tender submissions.
- Review architectural and structural drawings, specifications, schedules and tender documentation.
- Carry out accurate quantity take-offs and build up labour, plant, material and subcontract costs.
- Prepare and issue enquiries to subcontractors and suppliers.
- Review quotations and produce clear tender comparisons.
- Identify scope gaps, risks, opportunities, assumptions and exclusions.
- Assist with value engineering and alternative construction solutions.
- Liaise with clients, consultants, subcontractors, suppliers and internal project teams during the tender process.
- Ensure submissions are accurate, clear and completed by the required deadline.
- Provide a detailed commercial handover to the Cost Manager and project delivery team when work is secured.
- Support the Cost Manager with procurement, cost analysis and other commercial tasks when required.
- Maintain and develop internal cost data, estimating templates and supplier and subcontractor information.
- Contribute to tender reviews and the wider growth and commercial performance of the business.
About You
The successful candidate will have:
- At least five years of relevant construction estimating experience.
- Strong experience within domestic, high-end residential or main contracting construction.
- Experience pricing a range of projects, including new builds, extensions, refurbishments and ideally some heritage properties.
- The ability to measure works and build up costs accurately and independently.
- A strong understanding of construction methods, sequencing and subcontract packages.
- Proficiency in estimating software, and / or Microsoft Excel.
- Good knowledge of subcontractor and supplier markets.
- Strong commercial awareness and excellent attention to detail.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills are critical.
- The confidence to communicate effectively with office colleagues, site teams, clients, consultants and the supply chain.
- The ability to manage several tenders and competing deadlines.
- A practical, organised and collaborative approach.
- A willingness to support colleagues and work as part of a close-knit team.
- A full, clean UK driving licence, as site visits will be required.
Working Arrangements
We offer a flexible hybrid working environment, generally including two days each week at our Edenbridge office. The remaining time can be worked flexibly between home, office and site, depending on the requirements of the role.
A four-day working week may be considered for the right candidate. The advertised salary of £50,000–£60,000 is based on a five-day working week and would be adjusted pro rata for a four-day arrangement.
The role requires flexibility during particularly busy tender periods and around submission deadlines. Any four-day arrangement would therefore need to allow some flexibility over working days when reasonably required to meet a tender deadline.
What We Offer
- Salary of £50,000–£60,000 per annum, depending on experience, based on a five-day working week.
- Potential four-day week, with salary calculated pro rata.
- Flexible hybrid working.
- 22 days annual leave plus bank holidays, pro rata for a four-day working pattern.
- Company pension.
- Opportunities to develop within a fast-growing company.
- A varied role with genuine influence on business performance and growth.
- A friendly, collaborative working environment.
- An experienced team working closely across estimating, commercial management and project delivery.
- A highly flexible and accommodating employer, while recognising the need to meet project and tender deadlines.
How to Apply
Please submit your CV together with a brief covering note outlining:
- Your relevant estimating experience.
- The types and values of projects you have priced.
- Your experience of domestic construction.
- The estimating software you currently use.
- Your notice period and preferred working pattern.
Pay: £45,000.00-£60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Application question(s):
- Have you 5 years or more in a Construction Estimator role or similar?
- Which estimating, measurement or digital take-off software packages have you used, and how would you describe your level of Excel proficiency?
- Please briefly describe the types and values of construction projects you have estimated.
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Cowden TN8 5RA
