Estimator

Job content

At McCarthy Stone we pride ourselves on having a clear understanding of the needs of our customers and the fact that they all have different requirements from retirement living.

Our communities help our customers to maintain their independence through retirement whilst providing peace of mind and assistance which is on hand if required.

Our commitment to excellence starts at the planning stages of our developments. Every consideration is built in and reviewed to ensure the highest possible level of comfort, detail and convenience.

We have an opportunity for an exceptional individual to join our Group technical team as an Estimator.

Primary Job Purpose

To provide a professional Estimating service

• Support the delivery of key business performance targets and of Commercial team Service Level Agreements to Regions, to meet wider company business objectives.
• Produce high quality, accurate estimates for Commercial teams.
• Support the Company culture and values and the delivery of high levels of business performance and customer satisfaction
  
  

Key Responsibilities

To deliver Estimating expertise to the Division:

• Provide cost planning support and input at the feasibility stage of the McCarthy & Stone’s Fusion process
• Provide Bidcon estimates for Planning (Green File) and Land Acquisition stage (Pink File) and all key milestones as required.
• Maintain and be responsible for the management of local cost libraries alongside the regional Commercial lead to enable the monthly update of rates as required. Ensure all costs are kept up to date to include revised construction methods and Group Framework Agreements as well as regional tender returns. Be responsible for the inclusion of Group framework deal rates and compliance within scheme costs libraries and rates
• Prepare a proposal for abnormal costs to be reviewed by the Chief Estimator.
• Be responsible for the file management of estimates by region and site to ensure a clear and auditable record is kept for all estimate calculations.
• Liaise with the subcontract and supplier workforce to ensure the most cost-effective rate (especially regarding abnormal items) is calculated for any specific item.
• Prepare a Contingency proposal for the development to consider what bespoke contingencies may be required for review by the Chief Estimator.
• Provide value engineering advice at key Fusion stages to other departments and teams to assist departments with margin improvement and cost control.
• Provide advice, guidance and problem-solving support to others on any subject matter linked to the role.
• Maintain a high level of knowledge about changes in rates of work carried out by various trades for materials supplied and plant and preliminary items and keep the standard library up to date.
  
  

Education And Qualifications

• Minimum of HNC in related discipline.
• CSCS Card required
• Minimum of GCSE English and Mathematics Grade A - C
  
  

Knowledge & Experience

• Demonstrable practical experience in the industry with solid cost planning / estimating / surveying experience.
• A good knowledge of taking-off quantities from drawings and preparing bills of quantities using standard quantity surveying techniques and terminology broadly following the rules of the standard method of measurement current at the time.
• A good knowledge of using computerised systems to enable an estimate to be entered onto a computer and to update relevant information.
• An intimate knowledge of the company estimator or ICS system would be an advantage.
• A knowledge of post contract quantity surveying duties would be an advantage.
  
  

Skills, Competencies And Personal Attributes

• Clear and concise verbal and written communication skills
• Must be proficient in using the Microsoft Office suite including Excel, Word and Outlook.
• Works to a high level of accuracy and detail
• Able to organise and prioritise own workload.
• Able to work closely in line with agreed standards and processes
• Strong problem-solving capability