Senior Residential Estimator

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Philippines.

📋 Description

• Take ownership of residential estimates from the review of drawings through to the tender and construction handover processes.

• Generate quantity take-offs, material calculations, Bill of Quantities (BOQs), and detailed cost plans based on architectural, structural, and engineering drawings.

• Identify any missing scope, discrepancies in drawings, and potential cost risks.

• Document assumptions, exclusions, and allowances when information is lacking.

• Prepare trade scopes and Request for Quotations (RFQs).

• Gather pricing from subcontractors and suppliers, ensuring quotes are compared on a like-for-like basis and negotiate as necessary.

• Verify trade pricing against quantities, historical rates, and current market pricing.

• Manage tender pricing, including margins, contingencies, preliminaries, variations, and opportunities for value engineering.

• Transform approved estimates into purchase orders and trade packages.

• Assist with subcontract agreements, progress claims, and cost reporting.

• Maintain estimating records, including drawing revisions, pricing data, rate books, and traceability from the estimate to the final project cost.

• Raise Requests for Information (RFIs) or assumptions instead of making guesses when documentation is incomplete.

• Collaborate directly with an Australian custom-home builder and gradually take ownership of the estimating and pre-construction functions.

⛳️ Requirements

• Approximately 5+ years of experience in construction estimating, with a strong focus on recent Australian residential construction.

• Demonstrated ability to independently estimate from architectural and structural drawing sets.

• Strong practical understanding of residential construction, including quantities, materials, waste allowances, labor, and trade scopes.

• Experience with subcontractor/supplier RFQs, quote evaluations, negotiations, and trade letting.

• Commercial acumen, including knowledge of margins, preliminaries, contingencies, allowances, and implications of missing scope costs.

• Familiarity with purchase orders, variations, and contract/cost administration.

• Proficient in Excel.

• Hands-on experience with estimating/take-off software such as Bluebeam, CostX, PlanSwift, Cubit, Buildxact, Wunderbuild, or similar tools.

• Strong communication skills in English and confidence in engaging directly with Australian construction personnel, subcontractors, and suppliers.

• Ability to work independently from home, follow up on outstanding items, and maintain accurate documentation.

• Experience with Australian custom homes, NSW residential construction, BASIX, BAL, and DA/CDC/CC documentation, or Wunderbuild is highly valued.

• Candidates who are shortlisted must complete a practical residential estimating exercise.

🏝️ Benefits

• 100% remote work.

• Comprehensive work-from-home equipment provided.

• Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) coverage from Day 1.

• 20 days of paid leave per year — 15 annual days plus 5 sick days, accruing from Day 1.

• 13th-month pay.

• Government-mandated benefits.

• Annual salary and performance reviews.

• Monday to Friday work schedule during Australian day shifts.

• Permanent full-time employment.

• Ongoing training and opportunities for professional development.

• Long-term potential to take greater ownership of the estimating and pre-construction functions.