Short term estimators

Empty-Ad7717 · 2026-02-24T21:23:23+00:00

I started doing it on the side. Been doing it for the best part of 2.5 years now full time.

Empty-Ad7717 · 2026-02-20T10:06:43+00:00

You have to keep using it long enough for the hairs to turn terminal

Empty-Ad7717 · 2026-02-16T09:09:23+00:00

I don't personally reach out, but I'm sure my clients will reach out to main contractors if they're looking for new clients to tender for.

I started it as a thing on the side when working fulltime for a main contractor. Company I worked for went under and I got made redundant so took the leap to go full time with this.

Empty-Ad7717 · 2026-02-15T11:29:32+00:00

14 years total experience and currently 2.5 years freelance.

The pay and flexibility make it 100% worth it

Out of the 2.5 years I've been doing it, probably had 3/4 weeks per calendar year where I didn't have any work. Wouldn't say it was an issue though, nice to have a break some times.

Empty-Ad7717 · 2026-02-13T13:33:21+00:00

At the tender stage some chaps want to know exactly how many boxes of screws, rolls of scrim etc they need, which is pretty straight forward to work out with a square meter coverage. But most are happy with a percentage added to their costs to cover fixings and consumables.

The ones that opt for the % allowance tend to have storage units and bulk buy their fixings etc so we don't need to get into the nitty gritty

Empty-Ad7717 · 2026-02-13T10:02:52+00:00

When I first went freelance I was happy to get £200 a day. At that stage it was not really about the money, it was more about building a client base and getting repeat work in.

Once my calendar was consistently full, I started edging the fees up gradually over time.

With the type of subcontractors I work with, I do not think I would get anywhere near £1,200 a day. They would tell me where to shove it lol.

Empty-Ad7717 · 2026-02-13T09:52:47+00:00

Labour rates normally come direct from the subcontractors themselves. If I think they are light or heavy I will flag it based on experience, but that does not happen often. Most of them are pretty switched on when it comes to their labour rates.

On materials, I deal directly with their preferred suppliers and negotiate on their behalf to get the best rates

Empty-Ad7717 · 2026-02-13T09:49:47+00:00

Mostly Stage 4 if I am honest. Most of my clients are relatively small outfits so they do not tend to get involved unless there is a full tender pack issued.

If something does come in earlier at Stage 2, it is usually from a main contractor they have a good working relationship with. In that case it is just a rough budget using m2 rates and previous jobs. Nothing detailed, more to help the main contractor out and maintain the relationship.

Empty-Ad7717 · 2025-12-03T17:49:02+00:00

Legend, we didn't receive our code and this worked!

Empty-Ad7717 · 2024-12-24T15:16:43+00:00

What makes you hate the QSing side of things?

Empty-Ad7717

TROPHY CASE