Senior Estimator – Demolition & Structures
Location
London (office-based with site travel as required)
About the Company
- A well-established construction specialist with annual turnover in excess of £150 million, operating across the UK.
- Broad capability: demolition & dismantling; groundworks & civils; reinforced concrete frames; piling; basements; steel structures; remediation; retail & petroleum projects.
- Notable recent demolition / dismantling projects include major landmark buildings such as Wembley Stadium, New Scotland Yard, and Alexandra Palace.
- Strong commitment to environmental standards, best practice in waste management, noise/vibration/dust mitigation, and sustainability.
Division
Demolition Division – working closely with Structures, Civils & Groundworks teams.
Role Purpose
To manage and deliver accurate, competitive cost estimates from early-stage opportunity through to tender submission, for both small and large projects, particularly in demolition plus structural elements (concrete, steel frame, piling, RC) and drainage. To ensure bids are well-risked, profitable and aligned with company strategy, quality, safety and sustainability standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the estimating process for multiple demolition & structural projects simultaneously, from opportunity identification through to tender submission.
- Prepare detailed cost estimates for concrete works (in situ and precast), reinforced concrete (RC) frames, steel frame structures, piling (various types: driven, continuous, sheet, etc.), drainage, substructure works, and related demolition / dismantling packages.
- Review tender documents / specifications, drawings, ground investigation / geotechnical reports, and site constraints; identify risks and unknowns and build in appropriate allowances.
- Liaise with engineers, groundworks/civils teams, demolition managers and temporary works specialists to develop integrated and buildable design and access-solutions.
- Engage with subcontractors and suppliers to obtain competitive quotations, evaluate them, and manage supply chain costs.
- Produce tender pricing schedules, BOQs, risk registers, cost plans, and comparison analyses.
- Develop value engineering proposals to improve competitiveness without compromising risk, safety or compliance.
- Ensure estimating aligns with company’s health, safety, environmental and sustainability policies.
- Track historic estimating vs actual costs (“bid vs actual”) to support continuous improvement of estimating processes, assumptions, unit rates and margins.
- Mentor or provide guidance to more junior estimators / quantity surveyors as required.
Desired Experience & Skills
- Significant proven experience (senior level) estimating in the demolition / structural / concrete / steel frame / piling sectors.
- Strong technical understanding of reinforced concrete, steel frame construction, piling methods, drainage and substructure works.
- Experience estimating projects that involve both demolition / dismantling and new build / structure works.
- Good understanding of temporary works, access issues, party wall issues, site constraints, and implications for cost and safety.
- Proficiency in reading and interpreting drawings, specifications, geotechnical reports, and other technical documents.
- Strong commercial acumen: ability to assess risk, understand margins, cost drivers, and present competitive yet profitable bids.
- Excellent negotiation skills with subcontractors and suppliers.
- Strong organisational skills: able to manage multiple bids/projects, prioritise, and deliver to tight deadlines.
- Good interpersonal skills: able to work with technical, commercial, site teams, and support functions.
- Proficiency in relevant estimating / cost-planning software and Microsoft Office; specialist estimating tools a plus.
- Evidence of continuous learning / keeping up with industry best practice (materials, methods, sustainability etc.).
Qualifications / Other Requirements
- Relevant qualifications in estimating, quantity surveying, construction management or similar.
- Membership of a professional body (e.g. RICS, CIOB, ICES) desirable.
- Full UK driving licence.
- Willingness to travel to sites / client meetings across the UK when required.
Package
- Salary: circa £120,000 (DOE)
- Bonus potential and comprehensive benefits package.
What They’ll Get
- A senior role with clear responsibility and visibility within the Demolition & Structures arm.
- The opportunity to work on high-profile, technically challenging projects (landmark buildings, constrained city sites).
- Influence over estimating strategy and how risk, cost and sustainability are balanced in bids.
- A collaborative culture with strong in-house technical capability across demolition, civils and structures.
- Long-term career growth opportunities within a highly respected contractor.
Reporting & Stakeholders
- Reports to: Head of Estimating / Commercial Director (or equivalent).
- Key internal stakeholders: Demolition Managers, Civils & Groundworks leads; Structures / Steel / RC teams; Temporary Works; Health & Safety; Sustainability; Procurement / Supply Chain.
- External stakeholders: Subcontractors, suppliers, clients, consultants / engineers.
Candidate Profile
My client is specifically seeking an experienced Senior Estimator from a leading competitor in demolition and structural works, who can demonstrate a strong track record of winning complex, high-value bids and managing multiple tenders simultaneously.