Quantity Surveyor / Estimator

Quantity Surveyor / Estimator - Base Construction NZ
Concrete's 5,000 years old. Our systems don't have to be.

Base Construction has been pouring Canterbury's foundations since 2011 — residential and commercial slabs, civil concrete structures, precast manufacture and install, and in-situ. We're a family-owned, close-knit Christchurch team that delivers high-quality work safely, on time and on budget.

We're also on a mission: to become the South Island's one-stop concrete shop — and to drag a famously old-school industry into the modern era with smarter tech, tighter systems and better people.

With a valued member of our team moving on, we're looking for an experienced Quantity Surveyor / Estimator to join us and play a key role in the next stage of Base's growth.

## The role

A broad commercial role across the full project lifecycle — estimating and tendering through to delivery, monthly claims, variations, forecasting and final accounts. Reporting to the Office Manager, you'll work alongside our Project and Construction Managers, splitting your time between the office and site so you always know what's actually happening on the ground.

## What you'll do

• Prepare and process end-of-month progress claims, invoicing and project reconciliations
• Get on site to measure, value and verify completed works
• Price, track and manage variations and change orders
• Monitor costs, commitments, revenue and margins, and maintain accurate cost-to-complete forecasts
• Review drawings and specs and complete detailed take-offs across concrete, reinforcing, formwork and labour
• Prepare estimates and pricing for new work; obtain subbie/supplier pricing and run tender analysis
• Prepare and submit tenders — costs, programmes and methodologies — alongside the GM, and manage clarifications and client follow-up
• Review subcontractor agreements, scopes and packages
• Maintain quotes register and build the historical cost, labour and productivity data that makes future pricing sharper
• Provide commercial reporting to management, assist with commercial claims or disputes, and manage close-out and final accounts

## The bit that makes this role different

We're investing hard in how we run, and we want you helping lead it — trialling AI take-off and estimating tools, tightening our processes, and helping build the way a modern concrete business should work. If you've ever muttered "there's got to be a better way to do this," this is your sandbox. You'll have the opportunity to help shape our commercial function and build smarter ways of working as we grow.

## What you'll bring

• Proven QS experience in the NZ construction industry (concrete, foundations, structural or civil is a strong advantage)
• Sound knowledge of NZ construction contracts and standards, including NZS 3910
• Confidence with progress claims, variations, subcontractor packages and final accounts
• Strong estimating and take-off ability, plus cost reporting, forecasting and cost-to-complete
• Good commercial judgement — you spot the risks and the opportunities
• Sharp attention to detail and the ability to juggle multiple live jobs and tenders to deadline
• Confident communication and negotiation — with clients, subbies and your own team
• Competence with estimating/project software and Excel (Xero an advantage)
• A Diploma/Certificate in Quantity Surveying or equivalent practical experience
• Full NZ driver licence and the right to work in NZ

We're looking for someone who takes ownership of their role, communicates well and follows things through — while working collaboratively with the wider team.

## Why Base?

• Varied work across residential, commercial, structural and civil concrete
• A broad QS role across the full commercial lifecycle, office and site
• Direct access to the people making decisions
• Real scope to grow the role (and lead our tech and systems) as the business grows
• A supportive, down-to-earth crew and a company going places
• Competitive remuneration package based on experience

If you're a QS who likes concrete and likes making things run smarter, we'd love to hear from you. Apply with your CV and a few lines about yourself — bonus points if you tell us the best process you've ever fixed.

Base Construction — Smarter Concrete