Our client a well established main contractor are currently looking for an Estimator to be involved in the preparation of tenders with values up to £3million within the public sector – new build and refurbishment works.

Main Purpose of the Role:

To produce priced tenders that are accurate, clearly detailed, competitive and returned within deadlines through co-operation with the pre-construction team. Maintain good relationships with prospective clients and professionals and to promote further tender invitations and provide clearly identified price build-ups to the Contract team. Their reputation for quality, professionalism, fairness and success will be kept foremost in their clients’ and competitors’ minds.

Scope of the Role

Tenders

Carefully inspect tender documentation. Analyse exact requirements and identify areas that have implications to their business, i.e. a contractual requirement may be onerous.
Provide a detailed “take-off” and Bill of Quantities (BQ).
Work on traditional Plan and Specification and Design and Build Contracts.
Oversee or complete the quote analysis comparison and make selection for inclusion in priced tender.
Contact appropriate person to arrange site inspection. Visit site and make all necessary record notes and take appropriate photographs. Assimilate information and take account of in tender pricing.
Assess individual rates and prices, amend, create new or insert from material and subcontract quotes.
Using standard prelim forms build-up allowances for each project. Discuss construction sequence of project with Contracts Managers to enable a proposed construction period to be determined. Use to calculate prelim allowance. Consider other construction methods and determine the specific prelim requirements.
Re-assess build-ups taking account of all known conditions and requirements and adjust figures as necessary. Issue to another estimator to have a cursory glance for errors and make corrections if necessary.

Budgets/Cost Plans

The same process applies as tenders albeit the degree of accuracy required will be dependent upon how precise and how much time is given to produce.

Tender Reviews

Prepare tender build-ups and arrange a meeting with the Pre-Construction Manager, Operation team or Director to adjudicate the price prior to tender submission. Explain the project, the basis of pricing and the names of any other competing contractors.
Carry out adjustments to the tender based on the discussions in the meeting and complete tender documentation for submission by the due date.

Handovers

Collate tender information and build-ups, and complete estimator’s written report section of the handover meeting. Arrange convenient meeting date with contracts department within one week of letter of intent, contract of firm notice of intent. Attend meetings, explain project and handover documentation and additional copies as necessary.

Pre-tender meetings

Discuss the client’s requirements for a pre-tender meeting with the Sales/Marketing Department and relevant Director and await an answer as to the proposed format the business will take. Marketing will organise all elements for the presentation and will arrange a prior meeting with all personnel to be involved. Generally, an Estimator will be present and will be expected to present and answer questions on the cost of all works (Surveyors will not be present unless specifically requested).

Post-tender meetings

Meet with the Client team to carry out value engineering exercises if necessary liaising with the relevant internal departments and suppliers and/or sub-contractors as appropriate.

General

Organisation of meetings requires contacting relevant parties, agreeing convenient times, preparing agendas, leading meeting where appropriate and providing minutes and feedback as necessary.
Recording existing site conditions, etc. will require taking photographs and detailing a written account of the surveys for consideration when preparing and adjudicating each tender.
Take responsibility for ensuring tender is delivered to the appropriate place on time.
It is expected that a number of reports will be provided on a monthly basis, i.e. tenders submitted and their outcome, together with various other individual reports as requested.
Help with coaching/mentoring of technical trainees while in the estimating department.
The role will pick up other duties and responsibilities as the company grows and expands.
Any other reasonable management request.

Senior Estimator