Construction Estimator

Location: Philippines – Remote
Employment Type: Full-Time
Industry: Construction / Building
Schedule: Monday to Friday l 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM l Melbourne Time, AEDT

About the Role

The client is seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Construction Estimator to join our team remotely. This role is responsible for preparing accurate and comprehensive cost estimates and material take-offs for a range of residential and commercial construction projects.

The ideal candidate will have solid hands-on experience in construction estimating and take-offs, with the ability to confidently interpret and understand different types of architectural, structural, and construction plans.

Our projects range from relatively straightforward builds through to more complex construction work. Therefore, we are looking for someone who can go beyond simply measuring quantities and can read plans critically, identify the scope of work, understand construction requirements, and produce reliable estimates based on the information provided.

This is an excellent opportunity for an estimator who enjoys working across varied projects and is comfortable dealing with different plan sets, project specifications, materials, and levels of complexity.

Key Responsibilities

Estimating & Costing

• Prepare accurate and detailed cost estimates for residential and commercial construction projects.
• Review project drawings, plans, specifications, and other relevant documentation to determine project scope.
• Develop estimates based on labour, materials, quantities, subcontractor requirements, and other project costs.
• Ensure estimates are comprehensive and reflect the full scope of works.
• Identify potential cost variations, exclusions, assumptions, and items requiring clarification.
• Review estimates for accuracy and completeness before submission.
• Assist with pricing projects at different stages, from preliminary estimates through to more detailed and final pricing.

Quantity Take-Offs

• Perform detailed material and quantity take-offs from architectural, structural, engineering, and construction plans.
• Accurately measure and calculate quantities for relevant materials and construction components.
• Interpret plans, elevations, sections, details, schedules, and specifications.
• Cross-check information between different drawings and documents to ensure quantities and scope are accurate.
• Identify discrepancies, omissions, or inconsistencies within plans that may affect the estimate.
• Maintain organised take-off documentation and supporting calculations.

Plan Reading & Project Analysis

• Read and interpret a variety of construction plans and drawings with confidence.
• Understand how different drawings and documents relate to one another.
• Assess both simple and complex construction plans and determine the requirements involved.
• Develop a clear understanding of the project's scope before commencing the estimate.
• Identify construction elements that may require additional investigation or clarification.
• Work through unfamiliar or more complex plan sets methodically and accurately.

Project & Team Support

• Collaborate with project managers, builders, contractors, and other team members as required.
• Provide clear explanations and supporting information for estimates and take-offs.
• Communicate any uncertainties, assumptions, or potential issues identified during the estimating process.
• Update estimates when project plans, specifications, or scope requirements change.
• Maintain accurate records of estimates, take-offs, pricing information, and project documentation.
• Assist with improving estimating processes, templates, and systems where appropriate.

Requirements

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven experience working as a Construction Estimator, Quantity Surveyor, Estimator, or similar construction-focused role.
• Demonstrated experience completing construction estimates and quantity/material take-offs.
• Experience estimating for residential and commercial construction projects.
• Strong ability to read and interpret a variety of construction drawings and plans.
• Ability to understand both simple and complex construction plans.
• Strong understanding of construction processes, materials, and terminology.
• Excellent attention to detail and numerical accuracy.
• Ability to identify missing information, inconsistencies, and potential issues within plans.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple estimates or projects.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• High level of accuracy, organisation, and time management.

Preferred Experience

• Experience working with Australian construction projects or Australian building standards and practices.
• Familiarity with Australian construction terminology, materials, and estimating practices.
• Experience working with construction estimating or take-off software.
• Experience interpreting architectural, structural, engineering, and specification documents.
• Experience pricing labour, materials, subcontractors, and other project-related costs.
• Experience working remotely with Australian-based construction teams or clients.

Technical Skills

The successful candidate should be comfortable working with:

• Construction plans and drawings
• Architectural drawings
• Structural drawings
• Engineering plans
• Floor plans, elevations, sections, and details
• Material schedules and specifications
• Quantity take-off and estimating spreadsheets
• Microsoft Excel / Google Sheets
• Construction estimating and take-off software

Experience with specific estimating or take-off platforms is highly regarded, although the ability to learn new systems quickly is equally important.

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for someone who is accurate, methodical, and confident when working with construction plans.

The successful candidate should be able to look at a set of drawings and develop a clear understanding of what is required, rather than relying solely on basic measurements. You should be comfortable working through detailed or unfamiliar plans, asking the right questions when information is unclear, and ensuring that all relevant elements are considered before finalising an estimate.

You will need to demonstrate:

• Strong attention to detail – small errors in quantities or scope can have a significant impact on project costs.
• Confidence in plan reading – able to interpret different types of drawings and understand how they fit together.
• Analytical thinking – able to break down complex projects into manageable components.
• Construction knowledge – understands materials, methods, labour requirements, and project sequencing.
• Accuracy and consistency – produces dependable estimates and take-offs.
• Initiative – able to identify missing information or potential issues rather than simply proceeding with assumptions.
• Adaptability – comfortable estimating both straightforward and complex projects.
• Reliability – able to meet deadlines and manage priorities in a remote working environment.

Typical Responsibilities at a Glance

The Construction Estimator will be responsible for:

1. Reviewing project plans and documentation.
2. Understanding the complete project scope.
3. Completing detailed quantity and material take-offs.
4. Calculating labour and material requirements.
5. Preparing accurate project cost estimates.
6. Reviewing plans for discrepancies, omissions, and potential variations.
7. Identifying assumptions and exclusions.
8. Coordinating with relevant team members for clarification where required.
9. Updating estimates as project requirements change.
10. Ensuring all estimates are accurate, organised, and completed within required timeframes.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will have several years of practical construction estimating experience and a strong understanding of how construction projects are planned and priced.

You don't necessarily need to have worked exclusively on large or highly complex projects. However, you must be comfortable moving between simple residential builds and more detailed or complex commercial projects, and have the ability to interpret different types of plans without becoming overwhelmed by their complexity.

Most importantly, you should be someone who takes pride in producing accurate, thorough, and commercially sound estimates.