Mechanical Estimator

About Dalkia UK

At Dalkia, we're driven by a shared purpose: tackling climate change and building a better, more sustainable future. We bring together talented people who share knowledge, challenge each other and grow together.

Backed by EDF, Britain's biggest generator of low carbon electricity, we're a people-first culture. With 5,000+ employees and £600m+ turnover, we combine the strength of a major group with a great culture, innovative mindset and inclusive values making Dalkia a great place to work and grow your career.

Summary of Role:

As a Mechanically Biased Estimator, you will be responsible for preparing competitive and accurate cost estimates for mechanical building services projects. This includes analysing drawings, specifications, and other documentation to prepare comprehensive tender submissions. You will liaise with suppliers, subcontractors, and internal teams to ensure pricing accuracy, identify cost risks and opportunities, and contribute to the successful delivery of quality tender documentation.

Your expertise will support the company's goals in securing new business and maintaining high standards of compliance and professionalism throughout the estimating process.

Key responsibilities:

1. Tender Preparation

• Review all tender documentation (drawings, specifications, schedules), identifying any missing or additional requirements.
• Thoroughly study all documents to ensure full coverage of the estimate.
• Print and organise necessary documents.
• Attend internal and external meetings as needed; conduct site visits to assess project scope and constraints.
• Maintain accurate filing and records of all tenders.

2. Enquiries

• Coordinate with the bid team to create an enquiry register for subcontractors, suppliers, and specialist mechanical vendors.
• Prepare and distribute enquiry documents, ensuring a minimum of three quotations are received per package where possible.
• Track responses, analyse compliance with project requirements, and maintain detailed records on the enquiry register.
• Evaluate and score subcontractor and supplier quotations following tender submission.

3. Take-Off, Estimation, Risk & Opportunity

• Perform detailed and accurate quantity take-offs from mechanical drawings, schedules, and specifications.
• Measure and price key mechanical services including HVAC, public health, pipework, ventilation, air conditioning, heating, cooling, and associated plant.
• Enter material, labour, plant, equipment, and subcontractor costs into the estimating system.
• Validate all data including material pricing, labour productivity rates, discounts, and cost multipliers.
• Complete cost risk registers and Value Engineering (VE) schedules.
• Ensure correct representation of mechanical and electrical interfaces including BMS controls, power supplies to mechanical plant, and commissioning requirements.
• Identify opportunities for alternative solutions, cost savings, and programme efficiencies.

4. Tender Review

• Participate in review meetings with the Estimating Manager and Directors.
• Lead discussions relating to project cost risks, exclusions, assumptions, and opportunities.
• Update estimates based on decisions from review meetings.
• Prepare authorisation sheets and supporting documentation for governance and settlement reviews.

5. Tender Submission

• Finalise and cross-check tender summaries and authorisation sheets.
• Draft clarifications, assumptions, and exclusion schedules for inclusion within tender submissions.
• Support bid writers with technical and commercial inputs as required.
• Attend post-tender interviews and meetings.
• Maintain tender tracker records and lessons learned documentation.
• Archive unsuccessful or inactive tenders and ensure all documentation is retained in accordance with company procedures and potential contract requirements.

6. Continuous Development

• Stay current with industry regulations, standards, technologies, and best practices in mechanical building services.
• Maintain awareness of emerging technologies, sustainable building solutions, low-carbon heating systems, and energy-efficient HVAC systems.

• Proven experience as a Mechanical Estimator within the building services or construction sector.
• Strong understanding of MEP systems, with a particular focus on mechanical installations and services.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, specifications, and schematics.
• Competency with estimating software and Microsoft Excel; experience using MCA systems is advantageous.
• Familiarity with procurement…