Estimator

About JJ Rhatigan & Company

JJ Rhatigan is a leading main contractor with over 70 years’ experience delivering high-quality, sustainable construction projects across Ireland and the UK.

As a family-founded business, we have built a reputation for excellence in health & safety, quality of finish and overall project delivery. Our portfolio spans residential, commercial, education, healthcare and mixed-use developments, combining technical expertise with a collaborative and integrity-led approach.

Our UK business continues to grow, supported by a strong pipeline of work and long-standing client relationships.

The Role

We are looking for a skilled Estimator (Mid–Senior level) to join our UK pre-construction team.

You will play a critical role in preparing competitive tenders and cost plans for projects typically ranging from £20m to £100m+, working across residential, commercial, education, and mixed-use sectors.

You will analyse tender documents, prepare cost plans, measurements on-screen, manage subcontract pricing, and contribute to developing comprehensive and commercially strong proposals submissions. The role provides exposure to major UK schemes and offers the chance to grow within a expanding pre-construction team.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Review tender documents and confirm completeness of information received.
• Prepare take-offs, quantities and cost plans using CostX (training provided if required)
• Break down tender packages and identify suitable subcontractors/suppliers.
• Identify and flag gaps in subcontract pricing and plug appropriately
• Issue enquiries, assess returns and undertake detailed subcontract comparisons.
• Coordinate closely with design, planning and project teams to assess preliminaries, logistics and programme implications.
• Identify and communicate risks, opportunities, assumptions, exclusions and design gaps.
• Support the development of cost plans, tender summaries and commercial submissions.
• Generate value-engineering options and alternative specifications.
• Attend tender launch, mid-bid and settlement meetings.
• Prepare written clarifications and respond to post-submission queries.
• Complete handover packs for successful bids and support mobilisation where required.

Skills & Experience Required

• Experience as an Estimator within a main contractor environment (UK or Irish market)
• Strong understanding of construction methods, procurement routes and tendering processes
• Ability to read and interpret drawings, specifications, and contractual information
• Proficient in take-offs, measurement and bill production (CostX or similar)
• Skilled in analysing subcontract quotations and identifying scope gaps and risks
• Strong commercial awareness and analytical thinking
• Comfortable working with evolving design information and forming reasoned assumptions
• Excellent numeracy and attention to detail
• Highly organised, able to prioritise multiple tenders and deadlines
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively across teams

What JJ Rhatigan Can Offer You

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Clear progression pathway and ongoing training, CPD and development opportunities
• Opportunities to work on major, high-profile UK projects
• A collaborative, forward-thinking work environment

If you’re an ambitious Estimator eager to take on larger, more challenging tenders and contribute to a successful UK pre-construction team, we’d love to hear from you.

JJ Rhatigan & Company is an equal opportunities employer.