Quantity Surveyor / Estimator

Estimator / Quantity Surveyor - Large Projects

Location: Blackpool, Lancashire

Salary: £58,000 - £65,000 + Company Car + Christmas Bonus

Job Type: Permanent

About the Company

Our client is a family-run building contractor based in Blackpool, delivering building, refurbishment and improvement works across Lancashire and the wider North West.

The business works extensively with local authorities, housing associations and public sector clients, delivering projects across sectors including housing, education, care facilities and public buildings.

Due to continued growth within its Large Projects Team, the business is looking to appoint an experienced Estimator / Quantity Surveyor to take responsibility for estimating and the commercial management of allocated projects from initial tender through to final account.

The Role

This is a key commercial position combining estimating and quantity surveying responsibilities.

You will prepare accurate and competitive tenders before taking responsibility for the commercial management of successful projects, working closely with Project Managers, Site Teams and Accounts to maintain accurate cost information, control commercial performance and protect project margins.

You will also provide guidance and practical support to an Apprentice Quantity Surveyor, with the role initially having a strong hands-on QS element.

Key Responsibilities

Estimating & Tendering

Review drawings, specifications, schedules of work and tender requirements

Attend site visits and identify missing information, access issues, existing conditions and pricing risks

Produce accurate take-offs and detailed itemised estimates

Price labour, materials, plant, subcontract, waste and preliminaries

Obtain and compare supplier and subcontractor quotations

Review scope, exclusions, availability, lead times and price validity

Record assumptions, provisional allowances and commercial risks

Identify potential savings and alternative proposals

Ensure overheads and profit are clearly identified for management review

Manage tender deadlines, revisions and pricing returns

Check calculations and ensure tender submissions are accurate

Obtain management approval before submitting tenders

Provide a comprehensive handover to the delivery team following successful tenders

Quantity Surveying & Commercial Management

Prepare and review interim valuations and applications for payment

Measure completed works and utilise site progress information

Track certification and provide accurate information to Accounts

Identify, measure and price variations

Maintain change registers and supporting commercial records

Ensure required contractual notifications are issued within the appropriate timescales

Escalate disputed or unapproved works

Support subcontract procurement and review scopes and quotations

Prepare subcontractor valuations and payment recommendations

Prepare project cost reports, committed costs, forecasts and WIP information

Monitor project performance against budget

Identify and report risks to margin and recovery at an early stage

Prepare and negotiate client and subcontract final accounts

Monitor retention and outstanding commercial items

Escalate disputes and settlement decisions to management

Apprentice Development

An important part of the role will be supporting the development of an Apprentice Quantity Surveyor.

You will:

Allocate suitable QS tasks

Explain processes and required approaches

Review work before issue

Provide practical coaching in measurement, valuations, variations and cost reporting

Increase responsibility as the apprentice develops

Agree priorities with management to ensure project and tender deadlines remain achievable

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will ideally have:

Proven experience working in an Estimator / Quantity Surveyor capacity within building or refurbishment

Strong experience across take-offs, cost build-ups, valuations, variations and final accounts

Sound construction knowledge

Ability to interpret drawings, specifications and contractual requirements

Strong commercial awareness and understanding of project cost control

Confident use of Microsoft Excel

Experience maintaining accurate digital project records and audit trails

Strong calculation and analytical skills

Excellent communication and negotiation skills

Ability to manage multiple competing deadlines

Experience working closely with site and project management teams

Ability to support and develop junior commercial staff

Ability to travel to project sites across the operating area

Relevant construction qualification or equivalent practical experience would be advantageous

Desirable Experience

Experience of:

Projects in the region of £50,000 - £1.5 million

Public sector tenders

Occupied-building refurbishment

Estimating or take-off software

Supplier negotiation and buying

Building and refurbishment projects

What's on Offer

£58,000 - £65,000 per annum

Company car

Christmas bonus

Permanent position

Blackpool-based office

Projects across Lancashire and the wider North West

Large Projects Team

Combination of estimating and quantity surveying

Opportunity to work on public sector and refurbishment projects

Responsibility for supporting an Apprentice QS

Long-term career opportunity with an established contractor

Apply

If you're interested in this opportunity, then please get in touch today with our Commercial Specialist, Mark Harris.

Building Careers UK specialises in Construction and Property recruitment and serves as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and an employment business for the supply of temporary workers.

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We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences and identities. Our recruitment process is designed to ensure equal opportunities for all candidates.

Please Note: Due to the high volume of applicants, only those shortlisted will be contacted.

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