Job Description

Job Title: Estimator (Commercial & High-End Residential)

Location: Central London

Day Rate: £350 - £400 per day (DOE)

Contract Type: Freelance / Contract (Strictly Outside IR35)

The Role:

We are seeking an experienced, detail-oriented Estimator to join a premier fit-out and specialist construction contractor in Central London. This role is focused on securing high-specification projects across both the commercial and luxury residential sectors.

We are looking for a professional with a stable career history (decent stints/longevity in previous roles) and a proven portfolio of accurate, competitive, and profitable tenders.

About the Projects:

You will be pricing prestigious schemes that demand a deep understanding of premium craftsmanship, high-end architectural finishes, and structural alterations. Projects typically involve:

High-end commercial office fit-outs and landmark hospitality/leisure spaces.

Luxury residential refurbishments and structural alterations.

Specialist architectural carpentry and bespoke joinery packages.

Full design & build tenders acting as the Principal Contractor.

Key Responsibilities:

First-Principles Estimating: Produce highly accurate, detailed cost estimates and budget breakdowns from tender drawings, specifications, and scope of works.

Subcontractor & Supplier Enquiries: Issue clear tender packages to the supply chain (with a heavy focus on joinery, M&E, and high-end finishes), analyze returns, and negotiate competitive rates.

Take-offs & Bill of Quantities (BQ): Carry out precise take-offs and build comprehensive BQs.

Risk & Opportunity Analysis: Identify potential project risks, value engineering opportunities, and margin-enhancement strategies during the bid process.

Tender Handovers: Present finalized bids to senior management for sign-off and lead comprehensive commercial handovers to the project delivery and surveying teams upon winning.

Required Skills & Experience:

Proven Portfolio: A strong, referenceable track record of successfully pricing and winning projects across both the commercial and residential sectors (ranging from £500k to £5m+).

Career Stability: Demonstrable longevity and solid commitment in your recent career history (we are looking for someone with decent stints who integrates deeply into a team, rather than jumping between brief, ad-hoc gigs).

Specialist Knowledge: Deep technical understanding of high-end fit-out, refurbishment, and architectural joinery/carpentry pricing.

Software Proficiency: Strong skills in industry-standard estimating software (e.g., ConEst, CauseWay, Bluebeam) and advanced Excel.

What We Offer:

Rate: £350 - £400 per day (Depending on Experience).

IR35 Status: Assessed and confirmed as Outside IR35.

Location: Central London office-based with site visits as required.

Continuity: A highly stable, long-term contract opportunity backed by a robust project pipeline.

How to Apply:

If you have a portfolio of great estimation work and the career stability to back it up, we want to hear from you. Please submit your CV along with a brief summary of your most notable project wins in the commercial/residential sectors.

Randstad CPE values diversity and promotes equality. No terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate against any of the protected characteristics that fall under the Equality Act 2010. We encourage and welcome applications from all sections of society and are more than happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and/or additional arrangements as required to support your application.

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.

For the purposes of the Conduct Regulations 2003, when advertising permanent vacancies we are acting as an Employment Agency, and when advertising temporary/contract vacancies we are acting as an Employment Business