Senior Estimator
| Posting date: | 12 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £40,000.00 to £46,000.00 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 11 February 2026 |
| Location: | Salford, Greater Manchester |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Story Decorating Group |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: |
Summary
Job Summary:
As a Senior Estimator, you will be responsible for managing the preparation and submission of competitive tenders, ensuring accuracy and timely delivery. Reporting to the Estimating Manager, you will play a key role in winning new business and ensuring smooth communication of successful tenders to the delivery team.
You will also be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with clients, ensuring their needs are understood and met throughout the tendering process. This role will also involve mentoring junior Estimators and supporting business growth through effective estimation practices.
Please note that the role will require you to work regularly from our head office in Carlisle.
Key Responsibilities
Tender Preparation: Accurately prepare tenders from Schedule of works, Bill of Quantities and completing quality take offs and measurements from drawings (labour, Plant & materials) and ensure they are completed within set timescales. Update the quotation log and follow up to secure contracts.
Bid Management: Collaboratively work as a team to take ownership of all allocated tenders from the Estimating Manager and Leadership Team, ensuring a collective goal of converting tender values into live jobs.
Client Communication: Acquire all necessary information from clients, including drawings and any task variations. Keep clients informed and updated throughout the tendering process.
Site Visits: Attend sites during the tendering stage to gather information, meet potential clients, and review project requirements.
Collaboration: Liaise with internal teams, such as signing off projects, commercial, and contract management, ensuring smooth flow of information and adherence to project requirements.
Contract Information: Ensure all necessary details for won tenders are accurately documented by creating new job folders. Share this information with Quantity Surveyors (QS) and Contract Managers to facilitate an efficient handover. Organize and lead internal handover/pre-start meetings with all relevant contracts and commercial team members, ensuring meeting minutes are recorded and all action items are completed. Although the Commercial team/QS is responsible for variation pricing, the estimator will provide support when needed.
Tender Status Updates: Communicate the status of ongoing tenders to the Estimating Manager on a weekly basis.
Team Meetings: Attend and actively participate in team meetings, presenting won tenders, updates on key performance indicators (KPIs), and highlights on work in progress.
Procurement: may involve some procurement tasks.
Business Development: Promote best practices in customer service, identify new business opportunities, and contribute to the growth of the company.
Skills and Knowledge
Estimating Expertise: Extensive painting or similar trade industry experience is valued more highly than formal qualifications, though an Ordinary or Higher Certificate in Building, CIOB, or a similar credential is desirable.
Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present tenders clearly and confidently.
Customer Care: Demonstrated ability to maintain excellent client relationships and provide high levels of customer service.
Information Technology: Proficient in estimating software and Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel).
Professional Telephone Manner: Confident and professional phone communication skills.
Business Development: Experience in identifying business opportunities to support company growth.
What We Offer
Competitive salary and benefits (DOE)
25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
Pension (3% employer, 5% employee)
Opportunities for career progression within a growing company.
Supportive team environment
The chance to be part of a respected organisation with a strong track record in the industry.
As a Senior Estimator, you will be responsible for managing the preparation and submission of competitive tenders, ensuring accuracy and timely delivery. Reporting to the Estimating Manager, you will play a key role in winning new business and ensuring smooth communication of successful tenders to the delivery team.
You will also be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with clients, ensuring their needs are understood and met throughout the tendering process. This role will also involve mentoring junior Estimators and supporting business growth through effective estimation practices.
Please note that the role will require you to work regularly from our head office in Carlisle.
Key Responsibilities
Tender Preparation: Accurately prepare tenders from Schedule of works, Bill of Quantities and completing quality take offs and measurements from drawings (labour, Plant & materials) and ensure they are completed within set timescales. Update the quotation log and follow up to secure contracts.
Bid Management: Collaboratively work as a team to take ownership of all allocated tenders from the Estimating Manager and Leadership Team, ensuring a collective goal of converting tender values into live jobs.
Client Communication: Acquire all necessary information from clients, including drawings and any task variations. Keep clients informed and updated throughout the tendering process.
Site Visits: Attend sites during the tendering stage to gather information, meet potential clients, and review project requirements.
Collaboration: Liaise with internal teams, such as signing off projects, commercial, and contract management, ensuring smooth flow of information and adherence to project requirements.
Contract Information: Ensure all necessary details for won tenders are accurately documented by creating new job folders. Share this information with Quantity Surveyors (QS) and Contract Managers to facilitate an efficient handover. Organize and lead internal handover/pre-start meetings with all relevant contracts and commercial team members, ensuring meeting minutes are recorded and all action items are completed. Although the Commercial team/QS is responsible for variation pricing, the estimator will provide support when needed.
Tender Status Updates: Communicate the status of ongoing tenders to the Estimating Manager on a weekly basis.
Team Meetings: Attend and actively participate in team meetings, presenting won tenders, updates on key performance indicators (KPIs), and highlights on work in progress.
Procurement: may involve some procurement tasks.
Business Development: Promote best practices in customer service, identify new business opportunities, and contribute to the growth of the company.
Skills and Knowledge
Estimating Expertise: Extensive painting or similar trade industry experience is valued more highly than formal qualifications, though an Ordinary or Higher Certificate in Building, CIOB, or a similar credential is desirable.
Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present tenders clearly and confidently.
Customer Care: Demonstrated ability to maintain excellent client relationships and provide high levels of customer service.
Information Technology: Proficient in estimating software and Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel).
Professional Telephone Manner: Confident and professional phone communication skills.
Business Development: Experience in identifying business opportunities to support company growth.
What We Offer
Competitive salary and benefits (DOE)
25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
Pension (3% employer, 5% employee)
Opportunities for career progression within a growing company.
Supportive team environment
The chance to be part of a respected organisation with a strong track record in the industry.