Job Description
The Estimator / Quantity Surveyor is responsible for the end-to-end estimating and quantity surveying process across commercial and residential flooring and associated interior trades. This role directly supports the business in winning work profitably by delivering precise take-offs, robust cost plans, and well-qualified tenders.
Accurate cost estimation is vital to the success of any construction project. When estimating is not done correctly, it can lead to delays, budget overruns, disputes, and unsatisfactory project outcomes. This role exists to ensure that no stone is left unturned—that risks are identified early, assumptions are clearly qualified, and pricing reflects both scope and reality.
The successful candidate will be detail-driven, methodical, commercially minded, and aligned with the company’s values, understanding that their work represents the company long before construction begins.
Job Title
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Estimator/Quantity Surveyor
Work Schedule
- Day Shift
Job Qualifications/Requirements
- Proven experience as an Estimator / Quantity Surveyor.
- Experience in commercial construction flooring is preferred but not essential.
- Strong ability to read and interpret drawings, plans, and specifications.
- Proficient in digital take-offs, material quantities, and tender preparation.
- Experience with estimating software such as Measure Square (preferred), Stack, or similar tools.
- High attention to detail with a methodical approach to work.
- Open communicator with strong collaboration skills.
- Organised, reliable, and capable of managing multiple deadlines.
Job Responsibilities
- Understanding Project Requirements:
• One of the most critical responsibilities of the Estimator / Quantity Surveyor is gaining a thorough understanding of each project’s requirements as they relate to the company’s scope, risk profile, and commercial objectives.
• This includes: – Reviewing tender documentation to understand overall project scope – Collaborating with architects, designers, project managers, suppliers, and clients – Understanding budget constraints, construction methodology, and programme timelines – Identifying design intent, performance requirements, and specification standards.
• This foundational understanding ensures that all subsequent estimating and take-off work is accurate, relevant, and aligned with project expectations. - Reviewing Project Scope, Plans, and Specifications:
• The Estimator must be highly proficient in reading, interpreting, and analysing architectural and construction documentation, including: – Architectural drawings – Design drawings – Floor plans and reflected ceiling plans – Finishes schedules – Elevation and detail drawings – Specifications and technical documents.
• Responsibilities include: – Conducting comprehensive scope reviews – Identifying flooring and interior trade boundaries – Confirming dimensions, scales, and levels – Recognising constructability challenges and access constraints – Identifying missing, conflicting, or ambiguous information.
• This detailed analysis is essential to ensure accurate pricing and risk identification. - Analysing Material and Labour Requirements:
• Following the scope review, the Estimator analyses all material and labour requirements relevant to the project, including: – Interpreting finishes schedules and specifications – Understanding how materials integrate across different areas and levels – Accounting for wastage, pattern repeats, directionality, and sequencing – Assessing substrate conditions and preparation requirements – Considering installation methodologies and productivity rates.
• At the completion of the take-off, accurate material quantities are calculated to cover all areas, variables, and interfaces. - Tracing and Digitising Plans:
• Once the project documentation has been reviewed and filtered, the Estimator undertakes the digital take-off process.
• This includes: – Downloading and organising the full architectural package – Extracting relevant drawings such as: – Floor plans – Room finish plans – Material schedules – Stair and transition details – Elevation details related to flooring and wall finishes.
• Using industry-leading take-off software (preferably Measure Square), the Estimator will: – Digitally trace all floor plans – Assign materials to rooms in accordance with schedules – Accurately define room boundaries, transitions, stairs, and vertical elements.
• This is a precise and methodical task, requiring patience, focus, and a strong technical understanding of flooring systems. - Preparing Accurate Material Take-Offs:
• Upon completion of the digital tracing, the Estimator prepares comprehensive material take-off reports, which form the backbone of the pricing and tender submission.
• These reports include: – Net and gross area calculations – Linear measurements for skirtings, wall vinyl, stair nosings, and trims – Transition strips, reducers, and finishing
details – Clear breakdowns by level, area, and material type.
• The accuracy of these take-offs directly impacts project profitability and delivery success. - Pricing, Tender Preparation, and Qualifications:
• The Estimator is responsible for: – Applying accurate rates for materials, labour, subcontractors, and preliminaries – Obtaining and evaluating supplier and subcontractor pricing – Preparing detailed tender summaries – Identifying and documenting exclusions, assumptions, and clarifications – Ensuring all tenders are commercially sound and aligned with company objectives
• Where documentation is incomplete or unclear, the Estimator prepares RFIs (Requests for Information) and clearly qualifies all unresolved items within the tender. - Collaboration and Communication:
• Throughout the estimating process, the Estimator maintains clear and professional communication with: – Internal team members – Clients – Main contractors – Consultants and suppliers
• This collaboration ensures that concerns are addressed early, risks are managed, and expectations are aligned. - Going Above and Beyond:
• Plans are not always complete or fully coordinated. The Estimator is expected to: – Identify gaps, conflicts, and ambiguities – Prepare RFIs where required – Apply practical experience to anticipate construction issues – Ensure all risks are properly qualified.
• This diligence protects the company and reinforces trust with clients and partners.
Good luck and God Bless!