Job Description – Estimation Fit-Out Engineer
1. Job Purpose
The Estimation Fit-Out Engineer is responsible for preparing accurate and competitive cost estimates, BOQs, quotations, and tender submissions for interior fit-out projects. The role involves reviewing drawings and specifications, conducting quantity take-offs, obtaining and evaluating supplier/subcontractor quotations, analyzing project costs, and ensuring that all commercial submissions are accurate, competitive, and aligned with project requirements.
2. Key Responsibilities
A. Tender & Drawing Review
- Review tender documents, architectural drawings, specifications, BOQs, and project requirements.
- Identify the scope of work, exclusions, assumptions, and potential commercial risks.
- Review architectural, interior design, MEP, structural, and coordination drawings as required.
- Raise technical and commercial queries and obtain clarification from clients/consultants.
- Ensure all tender requirements are fully considered before submission.
B. Quantity Take-Off & BOQ
- Prepare detailed quantity take-offs from drawings and specifications.
- Develop and verify BOQs for fit-out works.
- Measure quantities for civil, architectural, and interior fit-out works.
- Prepare quantities for partitions, ceilings, flooring, wall finishes, joinery, doors, painting, glass works, and other fit-out elements.
- Coordinate quantities with MEP and other associated trades where applicable.
- Ensure accuracy and consistency between drawings, BOQs, and estimates.
C. Cost Estimation
- Prepare detailed cost estimates based on project scope, specifications, quantities, and current market rates.
- Calculate material, manpower, equipment, subcontractor, logistics, and other project-related costs.
- Analyze labor productivity and material consumption.
- Develop unit rates and build-up rates for various fit-out activities.
- Incorporate wastage, overheads, contingency, and required profit margins in accordance with company guidelines.
- Identify cost-saving and value-engineering opportunities.
D. Supplier & Subcontractor Management
- Prepare RFQs and obtain quotations from suppliers and subcontractors.
- Evaluate and compare supplier/subcontractor quotations technically and commercially.
- Negotiate rates and commercial terms where required.
- Verify quotations against project specifications and scope.
- Maintain an updated database of supplier, subcontractor, material, and labor rates.
E. Tender Submission
- Prepare commercial proposals and tender pricing in accordance with company procedures.
- Compile complete estimation files, including BOQs, rate analysis, quotations, assumptions, exclusions, and supporting documents.
- Ensure tender submissions are commercially competitive while maintaining acceptable margins.
- Review final pricing with the Estimation Manager before submission.
- Ensure tenders are submitted accurately and within the required deadlines.
F. Post-Tender Activities
- Assist in responding to client/consultant commercial queries and clarifications.
- Review tender revisions, addenda, and variation requirements.
- Revise estimates based on changes in drawings, specifications, or scope.
- Support the commercial and project teams during negotiations and handover.
- Provide a proper estimation handover to the project/commercial team after award.
G. Coordination
- Coordinate closely with Design, Engineering, Procurement, Projects, Production, and Commercial teams.
- Work with architects, designers, consultants, suppliers, and subcontractors when required.
- Participate in tender review and project handover meetings.
- Ensure technical and commercial information is properly communicated to relevant departments.
3. Key Fit-Out Scope
The Estimation Fit-Out Engineer should have good knowledge of estimating the following works:
- Interior fit-out and refurbishment
- Drywall and partition systems
- Suspended and decorative ceilings
- Flooring and wall finishes
- Painting and decorative finishes
- Joinery and custom furniture
- Doors and ironmongery
- Glass and glazing works
- Aluminum works
- Metal and architectural works
- Kitchen and pantry fit-out
- Washroom finishes and accessories
- FF&E, where applicable
- MEP-related fit-out interfaces
- Temporary works and site requirements
- Mobilization, logistics, and installation costs
4. Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree or Diploma in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
- Relevant professional certification in Quantity Surveying or Cost Estimation is an advantage.
5. Experience
- 3–7 years of relevant experience in estimation and quantity surveying for interior fit-out projects.
- UAE/GCC experience is preferred.
- Strong experience in preparing BOQs, quantity take-offs, rate analysis, and commercial tender submissions.
- Experience with commercial, residential, hospitality, retail, office, or similar fit-out projects is preferred.
6. Technical Skills
- Excellent knowledge of fit-out construction methods and materials.
- Strong knowledge of construction drawings and specifications.
- Proficient in AutoCAD for drawing review and quantity take-off.
- Strong MS Excel skills, including formulas, costing, rate analysis, and pricing.
- Familiarity with estimation/QS software is an advantage.
- Ability to analyze supplier and subcontractor quotations.
- Strong understanding of material and labor cost calculations.
- Good knowledge of UAE construction practices and market rates.
7. Behavioral & Core Competencies
- Strong numerical and analytical skills.
- High attention to detail and accuracy.
- Strong commercial awareness.
- Excellent time-management and organizational skills.
- Ability to work under tight tender deadlines.
- Strong negotiation and communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple tenders simultaneously.
- Proactive approach to identifying cost risks and opportunities.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- High level of integrity and confidentiality.
8. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Estimation Accuracy – Accuracy of quantities, rates, and final project cost.
- Tender Submission Timeliness – Percentage of tenders submitted within deadlines.
- Tender Conversion Rate – Success rate of submitted tenders.
- Cost Competitiveness – Ability to achieve competitive pricing while protecting required margins.
- Quotation & BOQ Quality – Accuracy, completeness, and compliance of estimation submissions.
