The posting
Position: Estimator
Number of hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)
Schedule: New Zealand Daylight Time
Job Overview:
The Estimator is responsible for analyzing and quantifying building plans to prepare accurate and timely quotations that support both new and repeat business opportunities. This role involves completing detailed take-offs and pricing for timber frame and truss packages, along with associated building materials, using MiTek software, Excel spreadsheets, and Smartsheet for workflow and job tracking.
The position ensures all quotations are technically accurate, commercially viable, and delivered within required deadlines while maintaining high standards of customer service and professionalism. The Estimator also plays a key role in protecting the company’s reputation by acting in the best interests of the business and delivering excellent service to clients.
Tasks required:
Quantifying, Estimating and Quotation Preparation
- Analyse architectural and structural plans to determine project requirements.
- Quantify all required plans accurately.
- Complete frame and truss take-offs using MiTek software where required.
- Prepare detailed costings using company Excel estimating spreadsheets.
- Ensure correct pricing, margins, and trade rates are applied to all quotations.
- Load project information into the estimating system.
- Maintain pricing and trade rates within the system.
- Produce the final quotation documentation for presentation by the sales team.
- Ensure complete and accurate estimations are carried out.
- Meet all scheduled deadlines for quotations.
- Consistently uphold all company processes, documentation standards, and audit controls.
- Undertake fencing and decking quotations where required.
External Supplier Coordination
- Arrange prenail and truss quotations from outside suppliers when required.
- Incorporate supplier pricing into the final quotation, ensuring accuracy and margin protection.
Customer and Sales Support
- Discuss with customers or internal staff any issues that may need to be addressed when quoting.
- Assist the sales team with quote clarifications and revisions where required.
- Identify potential plan or specification issues during the estimating process.
- Maintain accurate records of plans, quotations, and documentation.
- Ensure the quoting system and job files are kept up to date.
- Maintain organised documentation to support future reference and auditing.
Communication and Team Coordination
- Providing plans, paperwork, and quotation information when requested by Account Managers, Trade Management, or Senior Management.
- Ensuring documentation supports smooth handover to sales and production teams where required.
- Assisting with general estimating and project information requests.
- Carrying out any other duties as required by management that support the overall business operation.
- Maintain effective communication with the estimating and wider business team, including:
Technical and Design Responsibility
- The Estimator is responsible for interpreting plans and preparing quotations based on the information provided.
- Where plans require engineering design, specific structural details, or fall outside the scope of NZS 3604, these items must be identified and referred to the appropriate designer, engineer, or supplier for confirmation prior to final quotation.
- The Estimator is not responsible for structural design unless specifically authorised to do so and must ensure all assumptions are clearly documented within the quotation or project notes.
Quote Handover and Documentation
- All successful quotations must be clearly documented to allow efficient transition into design, scheduling, and production.
- Ensure that all relevant plans, specifications, assumptions, scope inclusions, and exclusions are clearly recorded within the quotation or project notes.
- Any items requiring clarification, engineering review, or further design must be clearly identified prior to handover.
Customer Service and Professional Conduct
- Maintain a positive and professional attitude towards customers and tasks.
- Work as a value-add resource for the company.
- Action enquiries and requests within agreed timeframes.
- Deliver excellent customer service while acting in the best interests of the company.
- Maintain professional relationships with customers, suppliers, and internal staff.
Self-Management and Continuous Improvement
- Work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines.
- Proactively seek opportunities to improve processes and systems.
- Escalate issues or problems in a timely manner.
- Maintain open communication with management and relevant team members.
Health, Safety and Compliance
- Understand and adhere to all compliance requirements that govern the company’s activities.
- Comply with all Health and Safety guidelines and procedures.
- Work in a safe manner and follow all safety procedures.
- Report hazards, incidents, and work-related injuries promptly in accordance with company policy.
- Participate in the Health and Safety hazard awareness process.
- Maintain knowledge of relevant legislation including the Fair Trading Act and Consumer Guarantees Act.
- Comply with company policies and procedures.
Additional Responsibilities
- Provide advice on alternative options where appropriate.
- Handle telephone and customer enquiries in a polite and professional manner, ensuring requests are dealt with promptly.
Workflow and Systems Management
- Manage estimating workflow and job tracking through Smartsheet.
Requirements:
- 3 to 5 years industry related experience.
- Experience in estimating or quantifying building materials.
- Experience within the construction, timber or building supply industry is preferred.
- Strong understanding of residential construction methods.
- Solid working knowledge of NZS 3604 and its application to residential timber framing.
- Ability to read, interpret and analyse architectural and structural plans,specifications and notes.
- Experience using MiTek software for frame and truss take offs.
- Competency using Excel for costing and pricing analysis.
- Experience using Smartsheet or similar workflow management systems.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
- Ability to manage deadlines and prioritise workload.
- Create and maintain professional working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
