Estimator

Plowman Craven; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading surveying company seeks an Estimator to prepare competitive cost estimates for geospatial projects. This role offers the opportunity to work directly with Bid Managers and experienced professionals while developing skills in commercial and technical areas. Ideal candidates will have a background in estimating or surveying, possess strong analytical skills, and be proficient with Excel. The position supports career progression in a collaborative environment that embraces diversity and inclusion.

Benefits

25 Days Annual Leave

Performance-related bonus

Salary sacrifice pension scheme

Travel loans for London roles

Access to fleet vehicles

Life assurance

Enhanced family-friendly benefits

Qualifications

• Experience in estimating, surveying, or commercial support.
• Understanding of geospatial survey techniques including topographical surveys and laser scanning.
• Strong numerical skills with attention to detail.
• Analytical mindset and comfort with technical information.

Responsibilities

• Prepare cost estimates for geospatial survey and digital information projects.
• Develop pricing using methodologies and validated assumptions.
• Review tender documents for commercial considerations.
• Maintain estimating databases and track tender outcomes.

Skills

Estimating

Surveying

Project coordination

Analytical skills

Excel proficiency

Job description

Ref: VA220 London Office - Southwark Bridge Road Full timePermanentHybrid

UK based | Infrastructure and Built Environment

Anyone can build a spreadsheet. Good survey quotes come from understanding survey methods, site reality and data workflows.

At Plowman Craven, Estimators are not hidden behind templates. They sit close to bids, the delivery teams and real projects, learning how geospatial and digital construction services are won properly in competitive infrastructure and built environment markets.

If you’re early in your commercial career and want to build real estimating capability, this role is designed for that.

Why this role is different:

This is not an admin-heavy pricing role. You will work directly with experienced Bid Managers, Survey Managers and digital specialists to understand scope, challenge assumptions and build estimates that reflect reality, not guesswork.

You’ll be exposed to complex geospatial survey and digital information projects, including laser scanning, utilities mapping and BIM-related services, and supported to develop strong commercial judgement alongside technical understanding.

More about the role:

As an Estimator, you will support the preparation of accurate, competitive and commercially aligned cost estimates for bids across infrastructure and the built environment.

Working under the guidance of the Bid Manager, you’ll help turn scope and technical input into clear, well-structured pricing, while developing your understanding of tendering, risk, margin and delivery capability.

This is a role for someone who has direct experience in the geospatial space and wants to learn properly and progress, not stand still.

What will you be doing?

• Preparing cost estimates for geospatial survey and digital information projects, including topographical surveys, laser scanning, utilities mapping and BIM modelling
• Developing pricing using standard methodologies, historical data and validated resource assumptions
• Ensuring estimates reflect labour, equipment, travel and subcontractor costs accurately
• Reviewing tender documents to understand scope, constraints and commercial considerations
• Supporting the preparation of pricing schedules, clarifications and tender documentation
• Contributing to internal bid reviews, highlighting cost drivers, assumptions and risks
• Working with project managers, survey managers and digital leads to validate delivery approaches
• Coordinating input from subcontractors and suppliers where required
• Maintaining estimating databases, rate libraries and cost models
• Tracking tender outcomes and feedback to support learning and continuous improvement
• Building commercial awareness, including risk identification and margin protection

What we’re looking for

This role suits someone with foundations already built in geospatial services or engineering who wants to move deeper into commercial and estimating work. Maybe you have been a Surveyor for many years and want to use that experience, or maybe you have worked in another capacity with equally impressive experience and want to get into sales to put that experience to good use!

You’re a good fit if you have:

• Experience in estimating, surveying, project coordination or commercial support
• An understanding of geospatial survey techniques such as topographical surveys, laser scanning or Byrm-related services
• Strong numerical skills and high attention to detail
• An analytical mindset and confidence working with technical information
• Good organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks
• Clear communication skills and a collaborative approach
• Confidence using Excel and structured data templates
• A willingness to learn and develop commercial and technical knowledge
• A proactive attitude and pride in getting things right
• You’ll also be open to occasional travel for meetings, training or site visits.

What you get at Plowman Craven:

• A genuine entry point into commercial and estimating career progression
• Exposure to real bids, real projects and experienced professionals
• Support and guidance from Bid Managers who care about developing capability
• A collaborative environment where technical understanding and commercial thinking go hand in hand

Plowman Craven is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

Plowman Craven is a great place to work and offers a range of competitive family friendly benefits including:

• 25 Days Annual Leave - increasing to 30 days plus bank holidays
• Performance related bonus
• Salary sacrifice pension contribution scheme
• Travel loans & travel cards (Zone 1+2) for London-based roles
• Access to fleet vehicles
• Life assuranceEnhanced family friendly benefits
• Social activities organised throughout the year
BX?
• Harpenden & London offices
• Employee owned company held in a Trust for the benefit of employees

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Benefits of working at Plowman Craven

Plowman Craven is a great place to work, where we always attract, develop and retain high calibreormais individuals. From competitive salaries to pensions and career development, let us show you some of the benefits in working for one of the premier surveying companies in the UK.