Quantity Surveyor | Cost Estimator

Role Overview

We are seeking a commercially astute and detail-focused Quantity Surveyor | Cost Estimator to oversee cost planning, estimation, tendering, budgeting, and commercial controls throughout construction projects. The ideal candidate will offer in-depth expertise in construction costs, contract management, measurement, procurement, and financial analysis to produce precise cost estimates and safeguard project profitability.

Key Responsibilities

• Generate comprehensive cost estimates, budgets, and plans for construction and engineering ventures.
• Evaluate architectural, structural, and M&E drawings, specifications, BOQs, and tender paperwork.
• Conduct quantity take-offs and measurements covering materials, labor, equipment, and construction tasks.
• Establish precise pricing for materials, subcontractor work, labor, plant, preliminaries, and related expenses.
• Analyze past cost data, supplier quotes, market rates, and project specifics to deliver competitive estimates.
• Prepare bills of quantities, rate schedules, pricing lists, and tender documentation.
• Identify scope gaps, exclusions, assumptions, and commercial risks in tender requirements.
• Collaborate with architects, engineers, contractors, suppliers, and teams to clarify technical and commercial needs.
• Collect and assess quotations from subcontractors, suppliers, and specialists.
• Compare bids, create commercial bid evaluations, and support tender submission, negotiation, and clarifications.
• Create project budgets and implement cost control mechanisms from initiation through completion.
• Track expenditure against budgets, commitments, forecasts, and actual costs.
• Produce regular cost reports, financial forecasts, cash-flow projections, and variance assessments.
• Spot cost overruns, identify savings opportunities, commercial risks, and value engineering possibilities.
• Support teams in designing cost-effective options without sacrificing quality or performance.
• Manage interim valuations, progress claims, payment applications, and certifications.
• Review and verify subcontractor and supplier claims with appropriate documentation.
• Process and evaluate variations, change orders, scope extensions, and extra works.
• Assess financial impacts from design amendments, delays, price changes, and variations.
• Support contract administration and ensure compliance with commercial terms.
• Examine contract terms including pricing methods, retention, liquidated damages, warranties, and payments.
• Maintain precise records of costs, contracts, variations, claims, invoices, and commercial correspondence.
• Assist with final accounts, project close-out, reconciliation, and settlements.
• Monitor market trends affecting construction material, labor, equipment, and subcontractor pricing.
• Provide leadership with commercial insights and recommendations on costs, risks, procurement, and profitability.

Candidate Qualifications

• Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Building, or related discipline.
• Proven experience in roles such as Quantity Surveyor, Cost Estimator, or Cost Engineer in construction-commercial settings.
• Thorough knowledge of construction estimating, quantity measurement, cost planning, and commercial management techniques.
• Experience preparing BOQs, cost estimates, tender documents, and pricing schedules.
• Solid understanding of construction materials, labor rates, subcontractor pricing, and construction methodologies.
• Proficient in quantity take-offs from architectural, structural, and M&E drawings.
• Good grasp of contract administration, procurement processes, handling variations, claims, and final accounts.
• Familiarity with contract standards such as FIDIC, JCT, NEC, or equivalents is highly valued.
• Comprehensive understanding of budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, and cost control principles.
• Experience evaluating quotations from suppliers and subcontractors.
• Excellent numerical, analytical, and commercial aptitude with keen attention to detail.
• Ability to detect cost discrepancies, risks, omissions, and anticipate commercial issues.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and specialized cost-estimation or quantity-surveying software.
• Knowledge of AutoCAD, BIM, Bluebeam, CostX, Buildsoft, Candy, or similar tools is an advantage.
• Strong capability in interpreting construction drawings, specifications, contracts, and technical documents.
• Outstanding negotiation and communication skills for effective collaboration.
• Ability to work collaboratively with contractors, suppliers, engineers, architects, and project managers.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to handle multiple projects, estimates, tenders, and commercial deadlines.
• Professional certifications such as RICS, AIQS, or equivalents are favorable.
• Experience in commercial, residential, infrastructure, industrial, M&E, or large-scale projects is beneficial.

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive salary package with comprehensive benefits as per company policy.
• Opportunity to engage in major construction and engineering projects.
• Exposure to all phases of estimating, tendering, procurement, contracts, and cost management.
• Professional development through training in quantity surveying, commercial management, and contract administration.
• Work alongside contractors, consultants, suppliers, engineers, and project management teams.
• Access to advanced estimating, BIM, cost management, and project management technology.
• Participation in high-value tenders and complex construction ventures.
• Support for acquiring and maintaining professional memberships and certifications.
• Pathways for growth into Senior Quantity Surveyor, Commercial Manager, Cost Manager, Contracts Manager, or Commercial Director positions.