Estimator (Social Housing)

Job Description Job Reference: RAE170425Job Title: Estimator (Social Housing)Rate: £Negotiable DOE + excellent benefits packageLocation: Magherafelt, Northern Ireland Estimator Are you looking for an Estimator role? Interested in working for a leading Social Housing and Property Services Contractor? VANRATH are recruiting an Estimator to work for a well respected Contractor, based in Magherafelt, Northern Ireland. Remuneration: £Negotiable DOE + excellent benefits packagePackage Includes: Employee Perks & DiscountsLife AssuranceIndustry leading health & wellbeing programmeHealthcare Cash PlanLong service awardsGreat opportunities for learning & development Client: Our client is a well-respected Property Services Contractor that have been operating for approximately 50 years. They specialise in property alterations and modifications, damage restoration and maintenance projects. They work with Social and Private Housing clients, Property Management Companies, Care Homes, Schools, Councils and Commercial Buildings. Overview of Role: The Estimator will take the lead on estimating, playing a key role in supporting the commercial and operational teams by preparing accurate cost estimates for both tenders and live projects. Assist in developing competitive bids, ensuring pricing accuracy, and analysing project costs to support financial control. Working closely with suppliers, subcontractors, and internal stakeholders, the Estimator will contribute to the company's success by identifying cost-saving opportunities, mitigating risks, and maintaining robust cost data. This role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work within tight deadlines to ensure the successful delivery of bids and ongoing project profitability. Key Responsibilities: Bid Estimation Responsibilities:Tender Preparation: Assist in the preparation of tender submissions, ensuring accurate cost estimates and compliance with bid requirementsQuantity Take-offs: Perform material and labour quantity take-offs from drawings, specifications, and site visitsPricing & Cost Analysis: Develop cost estimates by gathering data on materials, labour, equipment, and subcontractorsSupplier & Subcontractor Enquiries: Obtain and analyse quotations from suppliers and subcontractors for competitive pricingRisk Assessment: Identify and assess potential project risks and incorporate contingency allowances where necessaryBid Documentation: Assist in compiling bid submissions, including pricing summaries, methodology statements, and commercial documentationValue Engineering: Identify cost-saving opportunities and alternative solutions to improve bid competitiveness. Live Project Estimating Responsibilities:Cost Control: Preparation and monitoring of project costs against initial estimates and budgets, identifying variances and potential cost-saving measuresRe-measurements & Variations: Conduct re-measurements and assist in the preparation of variations and change ordersSubcontractor & Supplier Costing: Assist in reviewing and negotiating subcontractor and supplier costs for ongoing projectsProgress Evaluations: Support project managers in tracking work progress and assessing cost implicationsData Management: Maintain an up-to-date database of historical costs, rates, and benchmarking data for future estimatesReporting & Forecasting: Assist in preparing cost reports, forecasting final project costs, and identifying commercial risksBuild and maintain strong client and supply chain relationships General Duties:Collaboration: Work closely with commercial, procurement, and operations teams to ensure cost accuracy and project profitabilityIndustry Research: Keep up to date with market trends, material costs, and industry best practicesProcess Improvement: Support the development and improvement of estimating processes and toolsCompliance: Ensure all estimating activities align with company policies, contract requirements, and regulatory standards. The Ideal Person: Essential Criteria:Relevant qualification in Construction, Quantity Surveying, Estimating, or a related disciplineProven experience leading estimating and pricing functions in construction, facilities management, or a related industry3+ years' experience in a similar roleEstimating and Tender bid preparation experienceCommercially and operationally aware on delivery of worksStrong commercial attitude and excellent communication skillsKnowledge and understanding of sub-contractor managementExperience operating within a fast-paced construction industry Desirable Criteria:Experience of NEC suite of contractsExperience of Public sector and housing contracts Skills / Competencies:Excellent communication skills with the ability to manage client relationshipsAbility to work on own initiative and as part of a teamAbility to work well under pressure and to strict deadlinesEnthusiastic and result driven with excellent attention to detailStrong planning and organisation skills with good problem-solving skillsIT literate with a sound knowledge of Microsoft Office packages