Lead Estimator

Roles and responsibilities

Quantity Surveying Responsibilities

• Cost Estimation: Prepare detailed cost estimates for construction projects, including labor, materials, equipment, and overheads. These estimates are used to guide budgeting and project planning.
• Bill of Quantities (BOQ): Prepare and maintain Bills of Quantities, which are detailed documents outlining all the materials and work needed for a project, along with their quantities.
• Contract Administration: Assist in the preparation of tender documents, contracts, and procurement strategies. Manage variations and ensure contract terms are followed.
• Cost Control: Monitor project costs throughout the construction process, ensuring they align with the budget. Identify and address cost overruns, and recommend solutions to keep the project within financial constraints.
• Procurement Management: Source and select suppliers and subcontractors, negotiate contracts, and manage the procurement of materials, services, and labor for the project.
• Risk Management: Identify financial risks associated with projects and develop strategies to mitigate these risks. This includes advising on cost-effective solutions for the project.

Estimating Responsibilities

• Detailed Estimates: Provide accurate and detailed cost estimates for the scope of work, including labor, materials, and resources required for construction or renovation projects.
• Material and Labor Quantity Calculations: Calculate quantities of materials, labor, and other resources required for the completion of a project.
• Tendering Process: Prepare tenders for construction projects, ensuring that estimates are competitive, accurate, and aligned with the client's requirements.
• Cost Breakdown: Break down project costs into categories like direct costs, indirect costs, fixed costs, and variable costs for better financial management.
• Value Engineering: Analyze cost estimates to recommend value-engineering solutions that improve project efficiency without sacrificing quality.

Project Management Support

• Monitoring Progress: Track the progress of construction projects, ensuring that costs align with the estimated budget and timelines. Report discrepancies and recommend corrective actions.
• Change Management: Assess and provide cost implications for changes to the scope of work, and manage client approvals and variations to the contract.
• Collaborating with Stakeholders: Work closely with architects, engineers, contractors, and project managers to ensure that the project is financially viable and that all requirements are met.

Reporting and Documentation

• Cost Reporting: Provide regular financial reports to clients, stakeholders, and project managers, detailing cost variations, projected final costs, and other financial data.
• Project Documentation: Maintain comprehensive records of costs, contracts, bills of quantities, and other relevant project documents for future reference or audits.
• Final Accounts: At the completion of a project, prepare final accounts and ensure all payments are made and received, ensuring the final cost is aligned with the estimate.

Desired candidate profile

• Technical Knowledge in Construction

  • Strong understanding of construction processes, materials, and methods. Knowledge of building regulations, standards, and health and safety guidelines.

• Estimating and Costing Skills

  • Ability to produce accurate cost estimates, evaluate the cost of materials, labor, and overheads, and provide realistic and competitive pricing for construction projects.

• Attention to Detail

  • High level of accuracy when preparing bills of quantities, estimates, and project documentation. The ability to identify discrepancies in costs and quantities.

• Negotiation Skills

  • Strong negotiation skills to secure competitive pricing with contractors, suppliers, and subcontractors, while ensuring that quality and project standards are maintained.

• Analytical Skills

  • Ability to analyze project data, identify cost trends, and assess financial risks to provide accurate financial forecasting and reporting.

• Project Management

  • Knowledge of project management principles, including scheduling, budgeting, and resource allocation. Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• Communication Skills

  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, to effectively interact with clients, contractors, subcontractors, and project stakeholders.

• IT Proficiency

  • Competence in using construction management software, estimation tools, and spreadsheets for tracking costs, quantities, and project progress.

• Problem-Solving

  • Ability to identify issues related to cost overruns, inefficiencies, or material shortages and recommend solutions to resolve them.