Ex-Trades Estimator

ESTIMATOR – SMALL WORKS ESTIMATOR

HUCKNALL

IMMEDIATE START AVAILABLE

Job Title: Estimator – Small Works
Location: Hucknall, Nottinghamshire
Salary: £35,000 + £4,000 Car Allowance
Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent

About the Company

I am happy to be working with a long-established family repairs and refurbishment specialist with a strong reputation for delivering projects across the Social Housing, Hospitality and Education sectors.

Role Overview

My client are seeking an experienced and commercially astute Small Works Estimator to join their commercial team. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with trades background who is competent in the use of all Microsoft Office programmes and is looking at getting off of the tools and get into the office. Previous experience on the use of Schedule of Rates would be highly advantageous with this role. You will play a key role in winning work and setting projects up for success from day one.

Key Responsibilities

Estimate Preparation:

Produce accurate and detailed cost estimates for a wide range of small works and reactive maintenance projects.
Interpret drawings, specifications, and scope documents to prepare quotations and pricing schedules.On-Site Assessment & Pricing:

Attend client sites (e.g., tenanted housing, licensed premises, schools) to assess works, diagnose issues, and gather information.
Provide quotations directly from site where appropriate, ensuring quick and effective turnaround for urgent or reactive works.Tendering & Bid Submission:

Prepare and submit competitive tenders for repairs, refurbishments, and minor construction works.
Ensure all tenders are submitted accurately and within deadlines.Client Liaison:

Work closely with clients, housing associations, facilities managers, and school representatives to understand project requirements.
Build and maintain positive client relationships throughout the estimating and post-tender phases.Subcontractor & Supplier Coordination:

Source and obtain competitive quotes from subcontractors and suppliers.
Evaluate quotes to ensure value for money and alignment with project specifications.Take-Offs and Measurement:

Carry out material and labour take-offs from drawings and site notes to inform accurate costings.Value Engineering & Cost Efficiency:

Identify potential savings or alternative materials/methods to reduce costs while maintaining quality and compliance.Handover to Delivery Teams:

Support smooth project handovers by clearly communicating key details of the estimate to the operations and delivery teams.Database & Records Maintenance:

Maintain a library of rates, supplier pricing, and historical estimates to support future quoting.Compliance Awareness:

Ensure all estimates take into account relevant regulations, including building regulations, health & safety requirements, and safeguarding policies relevant to working in sensitive environments (e.g., schools or tenanted properties).Multiple Project Management:

Manage multiple ongoing tenders simultaneously, balancing urgent reactive works with planned small works projects.

Requirements

Former Trade Experience
Must have a background as a qualified tradesperson (e.g., carpentry, Multi‑trade), with practical on-site skills and a clear understanding of repair and maintenance processes.
Full UK Driving Licence
Clean, valid, and preferably manual – as the role is mobile and requires travel between sites
Enhanced DBS Check (clean or clearable)
Ability to pass and maintain an enhanced DBS check, essential for unsupervised access to social housing, occupied premises, schools, and pubs.
On-Site Diagnosis & Quoting
Strong ability to visit properties, accurately assess issues, take measurements, diagnose problems, and price repairs or small works immediately or within tight deadlines.
Schedule of Rates (SoR) Experience (preferred)
Familiar with working to standardised rate schedules, interpreting SoR documents, and applying them to job quoting.
Social Housing & Education Sector Experience
Proven experience in social housing repairs and/or maintenance work within schools, colleges, or similar sectors, indicating awareness of compliance and tenancy considerations.
Computer Literacy & Reporting
Confident using PDA/tablet, estimating software, spreadsheets, and internal systems to record visits, quotes, and update databases.
Organisational & Time Management Skills
Capable of scheduling and carrying out multiple assessments and quotes daily, while ensuring accuracy and meeting deadlines.
Attention to Detail & Commercial Awareness
Ability to spot hidden issues during visits, highlight assumptions or exclusions, and ensure estimates properly reflect scope and risks