Mechanical Estimator
South West (Full-Time, On Site)
£45,000 – £55,000 DOE + Benefits
Start: ASAP
Industry: Industrial & Building Services Pipework
We’re offering a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Mechanical Estimator to join our team during an exciting period of growth. Working within a multi disciplined commercial team, you’ll support a Senior Estimator and play a key role at the front end of the business.
This is a hands on, commercially focused position where accuracy, clarity and margin protection are essential.
The Role
You will take responsibility for preparing accurate, commercially sound estimates from initial enquiry through to tender submission and handover. Pricing must reflect real world fabrication capability and site delivery conditions not assumptions.
Key Responsibilities
- Estimating & Costing
- Complete mechanical estimates for projects and workshop fabrication works
- Carry out detailed take-offs from mechanical drawings and specifications (essential)
- Build labour and material cost plans using estimating software
- Develop full cost breakdowns including labour, materials, plant, subcontractors, logistics, overheads and margin
- Review tender documentation to identify risks, exclusions and assumptions
- Maintain cost benchmarks and estimating templates
Collaboration
- Work closely with workshop and delivery teams to ensure estimates align with capacity and methodology
- Engage suppliers and subcontractors to secure competitive quotations
- Support tender clarifications, negotiations and value engineering
- Contribute to structured project handovers
Commercial Control
- Protect margins through disciplined pricing
- Ensure all submissions are accurate, defendable and returned on time
- Maintain visibility of pipeline workload and forecasting
Essential Requirements
- Proven experience completing take-offs from mechanical drawings (non-negotiable)
- Background in mechanical engineering, pipework, fabrication or construction
- Strong understanding of GA drawings, fabrication details and specifications
- Experience building labour and material cost plans using estimating software
- Commercial awareness and strong margin control discipline
- Organised, methodical and confident working independently
Desirable
- Experience with workshop/offsite fabrication estimating
- Knowledge of carbon steel, stainless steel or building services pipework
- Involvement in post-tender negotiations or value engineering
What Success Looks Like
- Minimal variance between estimated and actual costs
- Target margins achieved
- Clear scope, exclusions and assumptions documented
- Professional, structured tenders submitted on time
- Strong alignment between estimating and delivery teams
If you’re a detail focused Mechanical Estimator looking to join a growing business where accuracy and commercial discipline truly matter, we’d love to hear from you.