Electrical Estimator

Northampton, Northamptonshire
1st Step
1st Step Solutions are supporting a M&E Contractor who have an opportunity for an Electrical Estimator on a permanent basis based in Northampton.

Job Overview:
The Electrical Estimator is responsible for the preparation of accurate and commercially competitive cost estimates and tender submissions for residential and mixed-use developments within the Division. The role supports the successful acquisition of projects by providing robust cost planning, technical assessment, and commercial input throughout the pre-construction process.

Key Responsibilities

• Review tender enquiries, drawings, specifications, employer’s requirements, and contract documentation.
• Prepare detailed electrical estimates and cost plans for residential and mixed-use developments.
• Complete accurate take-offs for electrical installations including power, lighting, fire alarms, containment, security systems, EV charging infrastructure, renewable technologies, and associated builders’ works.
• Develop labour and resource calculations to support tender pricing.
• Obtain, analyse, and evaluate quotations from suppliers and specialist subcontractors.
• Identify value engineering opportunities and alternative design solutions.
• Assess project risks and opportunities and incorporate these into tender submissions.
• Produce comprehensive tender adjudication documentation and pricing summaries.

• Participate in tender review meetings and bid strategy discussions.
• Liaise with clients, consultants, housing developers, architects, and design teams to clarify technical and commercial requirements.
• Support negotiations and post-tender discussions with customers.
• Work collaboratively with design, commercial, and operational teams to ensure successful project handover.
• Assist in developing budgets during early contractor involvement (ECI) and design-and-build procurement stages.

• Maintain awareness of current market rates, supply chain conditions, and labour availability.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of estimating databases, benchmark information, and standard pricing models.
• Review completed projects to compare estimated and actual costs and identify lessons learned.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives within the Living Division.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience
Essential

• Proven experience as an Electrical Estimator within the building services industry
• Strong understanding of electrical installations associated with residential developments, including apartments, student accommodation, affordable housing, and build-to-rent schemes.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, specifications, and contract documents.
• Experience pricing projects from first principles and analysing supplier and subcontractor quotations.
• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of project profitability.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Excellent organisational, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tenders and deadlines simultaneously.

Desirable

• Experience within large-scale residential developments.
• HNC/HND or Degree in Electrical Engineering, Building Services Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Experience using estimating software such as Trimble, Estimation, Ensign, Amtech, or similar.
• Knowledge of design-and-build procurement routes.
• Understanding of renewable technologies, EV charging infrastructure, and modern methods of construction (MMC).

On Offer:

• Competitive salary
• 25 days annual leave (increasing to 30 days with service), plus bank holidays
• Company car scheme
• Private healthcare and life insurance
• Pension scheme with 5.5% employer contribution
• Enhanced maternity and adoption pay: 13 weeks full pay followed by 26 weeks SMP
• Enhanced paternity pay: 2 weeks full pay, available consecutively or flexibly
• Employee-owned business structure
• Flexible holiday scheme