Hiring full-time estimators for UK Mechanical and Electrical (M&E) contractors is a costly challenge. From soaring recruitment expenses to onboarding hurdles and risks of poor hires, the process drains resources. At REMC, we offer a smarter solution: outsourced estimating services tailored to your needs. Discover why hiring in-house estimators is so expensive and how REMC’s expert takeoffs, M&E tender submissions, commercial guidance, and strategic marketing streamline your bidding process.

The High Cost of Hiring Estimators in the UK

Recruiting a full-time estimator in the UK is expensive. The average cost-per-hire is around £3,000, covering job adverts, candidate screening, and HR time. For specialised roles like estimators, costs can climb, with recruitment agency fees often hitting 20-30% of the starting salary—potentially £10,000-£15,000 for a £50,000 role. Add National Insurance (15% from April 2025), pension contributions (3% minimum), and equipment costs (e.g., £4,800 for office setup), and the first-year cost for an estimator on a £50,000 salary can exceed £65,000.

These “hard costs” are only part of the picture. “Soft costs,” like lost productivity during recruitment, can double the expense, as managers divert time to interview candidates. For M&E contractors, delays in hiring estimators can lead to missed tender deadlines, costing potential project wins.

Onboarding Challenges: Time and Productivity Drain

Onboarding a new estimator is another hurdle. Training them to deliver accurate takeoffs and tender submissions takes 1-2 months, with full productivity often delayed by 6-12 months for complex M&E projects. Onboarding costs, including training and equipment, average £3,600 per employee, plus managerial time spent mentoring.

Poor onboarding worsens the problem. Research shows 43% of new hires leave within 90 days due to inadequate onboarding or poor cultural fit, forcing a restart of the costly recruitment cycle. For M&E contractors, an underperforming estimator risks inaccurate bids, leading to project losses or reputational damage.

The Risks of Poor Recruitment

Hiring the wrong estimator is a costly mistake. A poor hire in a mid-level role can cost over £132,000 in lost productivity, rehiring expenses, and team disruption. Inefficient recruitment—such as vague job adverts or skipping skills assessments—leads to misaligned hires lacking expertise for M&E takeoffs and tenders. This is especially damaging for small contractors, where a bad hire can derail bidding schedules and budgets.

The UK’s competitive talent market makes finding skilled estimators harder. In 2022, 77% of businesses reported difficulties attracting experienced candidates, up from 49% the previous year. Estimator roles, requiring niche skills, can remain vacant for 48 days or more, impacting project pipelines.

REMC’s Solution: Outsourced Estimating Done Right

REMC offers a cost-effective, flexible alternative, saving 30-40% compared to hiring a full-time estimator. Our expert British team delivers:

•  Precise Takeoffs: Accurate quantity surveying for competitive M&E bids.

•  Full M&E Tender Submissions: Comprehensive bids to boost win rates.

•  Commercial Guidance: Financial and contractual support for ongoing projects.

•  Strategic Marketing: Custom Websites, Tender Letters and more to enhance your brand.

Unlike full-time hires, REMC’s services are on-demand, with in-built tender costs that make us essentially free if you win. Our attractive rates eliminate recruitment, onboarding, and software costs. Aligned with our slogan, “Growth. Without the Overhead,” REMC helps contractors scale efficiently, focusing on managing their projects and business.

Why Choose REMC?

Hiring full-time estimators in the UK is fraught with financial and operational challenges. From recruitment costs to onboarding delays and poor hires, the risks are steep. REMC’s outsourced solutions—expert takeoffs, tender submissions, commercial guidance, and marketing—cut costs and complexity. Ready to save 20-30% and simplify tendering?

Contact REMC today to schedule a call and get a quote for your next M&E project. Let us handle the estimating, so you can focus on building success.