Senior Estimator in Luton, Bedfordshire

Senior Construction Estimator

Up to £90,000 depending on experience + car allowance | Luton, Bedfordshire | Full-time, office-based

Salary and benefits

• Salary up to £90,000, dependent on experience
• Car allowance
• 33 days’ annual leave inclusive of bank holidays
• Contributory pension and non-contributory life cover
• On-site parking and all necessary PPE provided
• Continued professional development through the Group Lifelong Learning Programme

The role

A family-owned main contractor in Luton is recruiting a Senior Construction Estimator to join its pre-construction team and lead cost estimation for new build and refurbishment projects. You’ll price projects from £1 million to £15 million across the commercial, education, industrial, heritage and leisure sectors.

The company has been trading for over 150 years, with an established regional workload across Bedfordshire, the Home Counties, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire, Oxfordshire and North London. It offers long-term stability and a varied mix of projects.

Reporting to the Directors, you’ll align tender objectives, prepare cost plans and deliver accurate, competitive tender submissions. You’ll manage subcontractor enquiries and support junior colleagues in estimating, surveying and pre-construction.

What you’ll be doing

• Prepare detailed cost estimates and cost plans for new build and refurbishment projects valued from £1 million to £15 million across commercial, education, industrial, heritage and leisure sectors
• Manage pre-qualification, quality and pre-bid submissions
• Work with the bid team to prepare competitive tender submissions
• Complete cost analysis and check estimates for accuracy
• Obtain and compare quotations from suppliers and subcontractors, build good working relationships and negotiate terms
• Identify and assess project risks and develop practical mitigation strategies
• Maintain organised, accurate records of estimates, supplier and subcontractor quotations, and tender submissions

• Identify cost savings and value engineering opportunities throughout the tender process
• Work with the Directors, Managing Estimator and wider bid team to align tender objectives
• Support junior members of the estimating, surveying and pre-construction team

What we’re looking for

• In-depth knowledge of construction processes, methods, materials and best practice
• Experience of pricing projects, including single and two-stage tenders and negotiated opportunities
• Proficiency in estimating software and Microsoft Office
• Clear written and verbal communication, with the confidence to explain estimates to colleagues, clients and subcontractors
• Experience of producing competitive tenders that have converted into secured work
• Taking-off experience to produce accurate quantities for construction estimates

Qualifications and requirements

You’ll need experience as an Estimator or Senior Estimator pricing new build and refurbishment projects for a main contractor.

• A degree or equivalent qualification in construction management, quantity surveying or a related subject is preferred, but not essential
• CSCS card holder or eligible to obtain one
• Full, clean UK driving licence

Security vetting and right to work

Some projects are delivered in regulated and security-sensitive environments. Applicants must have the full right to work in the UK, have been continuously resident in the UK for at least five years and be willing to complete DBS, BPSS or other client-led security checks where required.

Hours and location

This is a full-time, office-based role in Luton, Bedfordshire. Standard working hours are 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday.

How to apply

To apply for this Senior Construction Estimator role in Luton, please send your current CV. We’re interested in hearing from Estimators and Senior Estimators with main contractor experience in tendering, cost planning and subcontractor procurement who can commute to the office.

The business is an Equal Opportunities Employer and a member of the Equality Register, ‘Committed 2 Equality’.