Materials Estimator (Takeoffs & Specifications)

Location: Home-based (UK) with occasional travel as required to Cottingham (East Yorkshire), Ashton-under-Lyne (Greater Manchester) and Newbold Verdon (Leicestershire).

About Howarth & Our Buildpack Division

With over 180 years of heritage, Howarth Timber & Building Supplies is one of the UK’s largest and most trusted independent merchants. While our branch network supports regional trades every day, our specialised Buildpack Division operates at a national scale, acting as a critical supply-chain partner to the UK’s leading volume housebuilders.

Rather than just selling individual materials, our Buildpack team delivers comprehensive, plot-specific "first-fix and second-fix packages" nationwide. Leveraging Howarth’s immense timber expertise and manufacturing capability, we transform complex architectural blueprints into precision-managed material packs — from structural timber carcasses, engineered joists, and trusses, to internal door sets, skirtings, and ironmongery — delivered directly to site exactly when developers need them.

The Role

We are seeking a detail-oriented Materials Estimator/Takeoff Specialist to join our fast-growing Buildpack team.

In this role, you won't just be pricing ad-hoc trade quotes. You will be analysing large-scale housing developments, performing meticulous digital material takeoffs from structural plans, and specifying complete first and second-fix packages for hundreds of plots at a time. This is a fast-paced, back-office commercial role where your technical accuracy directly impacts nationwide construction schedules and Howarth's contract margins.

Key responsibilities

Material Take-Offs & Scheduling

• Produce accurate material take-offs from architectural drawings, door schedules and project specifications.
• Create and maintain detailed plot-by-plot schedules covering doors, linings, ironmongery, mouldings, stair parts, sheet materials, fixings and associated products.
• Organise schedules by phase, plot, elevation, house type and delivery drop to support site programmes.
• Keep take-offs and schedules accurately version-controlled, with clear assumptions and exclusions.

Product Specification & Compliance

• Interpret customer specifications and select products that meet approved ranges, standards and project requirements, including fire, acoustic, finish and certification needs.
• Recommend suitable product alternatives when required, ensuring approvals are recorded and communicated.
• Maintain accurate specification and substitution records to minimise errors and issues on site.

Customer & Internal Technical Support

• Provide technical support on joinery products, schedules and plot pack contents.
• Work with housebuilder commercial, site, design and procurement teams to clarify information and resolve drawing or specification queries.
• Give sales, procurement, warehouse and transport teams clear schedules and delivery requirements to support accurate, on-time fulfilment.

Order Coordination & Handover

• Turn completed schedules into clear requirements for pricing, purchasing and picking.
• Work closely with procurement to confirm product availability, lead times and suitable alternatives.
• Prepare clear operational handover packs, including plot references, delivery sequences and special handling instructions.

Continuous Improvement

• Spot recurring specification issues, information gaps and process inefficiencies, and help put them right.
• Help develop templates, standard schedules and working practices that improve speed, accuracy and consistency.
• Monitor key measures such as take-off turnaround, query resolution, schedule accuracy and specification-related credits or returns.

What you’ll need

• Proven Experience: Background as an Estimator, Takeoff Specialist, or Assistant QS—ideally within a builders merchant, timber importer, joinery manufacturer, or contractor environment.
• Technical Blueprint Literacy: Exceptional ability to read, interpret, and accurately scale blueprints, section drawings, and manufacturing details.
• Timber & Joinery Knowledge: A solid understanding of first and second-fix materials, with particular strength in structural timber, engineered wood systems, or internal joinery packages.
• Software Skills: Proficiency with digital takeoff software (e.g., Bluebeam, PlanSwift, Adobe Pro) and advanced Microsoft Excel.
• Commercial Mindset: High attention to detail with an understanding of trade sales, margins, and the commercial importance of accuracy in multi-plot contract pricing. Experience of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• A full UK driving licence.
• Availability to work full-time, Monday to Friday inclusive.

What we offer

As a family-owned business, we want our colleagues to feel valued and supported. Our benefits include:

• Competitive salary, dependent on experience.
• 31 days’ holiday, including bank holidays.
• The option to buy up to five additional days’ annual leave or sell up to three days each year.
• Colleague referral bonus scheme: receive a £500 bonus when someone you refer for an HGV Driver role successfully completes their probationary period. Terms and conditions apply.
• Length-of-service awards.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Contributory pension scheme.
• Company sick pay.
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay.
• Employee Assistance Programme, including a 24/7 helpline, remote GP appointments and counselling, legal, debt and life-management support.
• Benefits Hub offering discounts on gift cards, travel, cinema tickets and more.
• Generous colleague discount at our merchant branches.
• Excellent training and development opportunities.

Application deadline: 30th October 2026

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee discount
• Enhanced maternity leave
• Enhanced paternity leave
• Free parking
• Paid volunteer time
• Sick pay
• Store discount
• Work from home

Application question(s):

• Are you available to work full-time, Monday to Friday inclusive?
• Although home based - this role will require occasional travel to Cottingham (East Yorkshire), Ashton under Lyne (Greater Manchester), and/or Newbold Verdon (Leicestershire). Please confirm that you are able and willing to undertake this occasional travel.

Experience:

• proven experience as an Estimator or similar: 2 years (required)
• ability to read & interpret blueprints & drawings: 2 years (required)
• timber & joinery knowledge: 2 years (required)
• digital takeoff software: 2 years (required)

Work Location: Remote