Estimator

Hours: 7:30am - 4:30pm, Monday to Friday
Location: Reading

Our client is seeking a detail-oriented and commercially aware Estimator to assist their sales team in delivering complex sales quotes effectively and efficiently. You will play a key role in calculating accurate project costings, ensuring bids are competitive, profitable, and achievable within time and budget constraints.

Key Responsibilities

• Accurately calculate and prepare project costings to support the sales team in securing and delivering successful projects.
• Budgeting, building, and checking schedules of rates, and approximating build costs.
• Attend pre-budget meetings and site visits to establish accurate cost estimates.
• Coordinate with the sales team to ensure upcoming projects are scheduled in advance for optimal costing practices.
• Identify and report any risks that may affect projected costs or time estimates.
• Verify take-offs to ensure accuracy.
• Oversee the smooth handover from bid stage to project execution, liaising with internal teams and stakeholders.
• Manage and maintain all relevant documentation, including quotes, presentations, and data, in line with GDPR and corporate governance standards.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree (or equivalent experience) in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Estimating, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years'' progressive experience in estimating or cost management within construction, with demonstrable results.
• Strong knowledge of construction methods, technologies, and materials (glass, steel, aluminium, powder coatings).
• Experience working on commercial building projects.

• Full UK Driving Licence (clean preferred).

Skills & Competencies

• Ability to meet project objectives within agreed constraints.
• Proficiency in preparing bid presentations (PowerPoint).
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent record-keeping, organisational, and time management abilities.
• Exceptional communication and negotiation skills.
• High commercial awareness and meticulous attention to detail.
• Flexible approach to managing changing priorities.

Benefits:

• Holiday - 24 days
• Private medical - After probation
• Passionate about involvement in good causes
• Discretionary quarterly bonus (up to 10% of salary p/a)
• Lunch provided to all staff when in the office
• Parking
• Generous pension - employer pay employee contributions
• Option to opt in for a lease car
• Annual entitlement to buy/sell holiday (up to 3 days) every Jan only
• Employee assistance program