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.
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