HVAC Estimator (Part-time)

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced HVAC Estimator to support our Director in preparing accurate and competitive tenders for building projects. This role will help streamline the tendering process by taking ownership of the detailed estimating and quantity takeoff work.

You will be responsible for measuring quantities from construction and mechanical drawings, preparing and reviewing supplier quotations, and developing detailed estimates for submission to builders. While final pricing and commercial decisions will remain with the Director, you will provide the detailed quantities, supplier information, and cost data required to support these decisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Measure quantities from mechanical drawings using takeoff software — equipment counts, refrigerant pipework, ductwork, grilles and diffusers, dampers, and fans.
• Record every measurement in our template with the drawing number, sheet and scale it came from, so anyone can check it later.
• Compare your quantities against the engineer's equipment schedules and explain any difference rather than averaging it out.
• Prepare requests for quotation to our suppliers, and keep track of what was sent, what came back, and what is still outstanding.
• Check supplier quotations against what we have measured, and point out anything missing, doubled up, or that the quote simply does not mention.
• Keep a record of the rates we use and where each one came from.
• Enter quantities and rates into our estimate spreadsheet and check that the totals reconcile.
• Keep a running log of anything on the drawings that is unclear, contradictory or looks wrong, and raise it with the Director instead of guessing.

Skills and Qualifications

• Experience in HVAC or mechanical services estimating or quantity takeoff on building projects — around two years or more.
• Able to read mechanical drawings, equipment schedules and specifications, and to work across a full drawing set rather than stopping at the first sheet.
• Confident with takeoff software. We are not fussy about which — Groundplan, Bluebeam Revu, PlanSwift, On-Screen Takeoff, Cubit or similar all show us the same skill. You will be trained on ours.
• Strong Excel, including formulas and working with structured data.
• Comfortable working in metric units.
• Good written English — able to write a short note explaining a problem clearly enough that it does not need a follow-up call.
• Methodical, and willing to follow our method rather than substituting your own. If you think our method is wrong, tell us — but tell us rather than changing it quietly.
• Willing to raise problems early, including problems with your own work. Mistakes found during a tender are normal. Mistakes hidden until after it is submitted are not.

Preferred, but Not Essential

• VRV / VRF and split-system (DX) refrigeration — system layouts, pipe sizing, refrigerant charge.
• Ventilation systems — apartment exhaust, carpark ventilation, stair pressurisation, smoke spill.
• Experience on Australian projects, or with Australian Standards.
• Any experience with process automation, structured data or AI-assisted tools. We are steadily automating parts of this work, and we would like someone who finds that interesting rather than threatening.