Job description:
About the Role
Tailored to the exhibition, retail fit-out and event production industry (including stand builds, activations, retail projects and temporary structures).
Be part of a team delivering high-impact exhibition and event environments locally and internationally, working on projects that demand precision, creativity and execution at the highest level.
This is a role for someone who enjoys the challenge of turning design into deliverable reality — on time and on budget.
What We Offer
- Market-related salary, negotiable based on experience
- A varied portfolio of projects across local and international clients
- A collaborative, hands-on team that values initiative over hierarchy
- Genuine career growth in a stable, established business
Job Specification: Estimator (Exhibition, Retail & Event Industry)
Role Overview
The role ensures all design, manufacturing, logistics and installation requirements are fully costed to produce competitive yet profitable proposals. The Estimator works closely with the design, project management, procurement, and production teams to interpret client briefs and translate them into detailed budgets and quotations within tight deadlines.
The Estimator is responsible for preparing accurate, competitive and commercially viable cost estimates for exhibition stands, retail environments, event builds, activations, special projects and related production projects. The role bridges design, production, procurement and project management to ensure all quotations reflect true build costs, timelines and margin expectations.
Objective: The Estimator plays a critical role in securing work, protecting profitability and ensuring cost clarity from concept through execution.
Key Responsibilities
Cost Estimation & Quoting
Using the provided quotation programme:-
- Interpret creative briefs, CAD (REVIT) drawings, 3D renders and technical layouts
- Analyse client briefs, floor plans, technical drawings and 3D renders to determine project scope and cost requirements and the BOQ
- Prepare detailed cost estimates for:
- Exhibition stands (modular, custom, hybrid)
- Retail fit-outs, environments and activations
- Event infrastructure (stages, structures, branding, AV integration; décor; themed environments)
- Break down labour, materials, transport, rigging, storage and outsourcing costs
- Apply accurate mark-ups, overhead allocation and margin strategy
- Produce full quotation documentation with scope clarifications and exclusions
- fabrication and materials
- graphics and printing
- furniture and equipment hire
- lighting, electrical and AV
- transport, logistics and storage where applicable
- installation and dismantling labour
- venue services and compliance costs
Tender & Proposal Support
- Assist in preparing tenders and competitive proposals for exhibitions, trade shows, conferences and corporate events.
- Ensure pricing aligns with company margin targets while remaining competitive in the market.
- Identify opportunities for value engineering and cost optimisation without compromising design intent.
Technical Interpretation
- Read and interpret architectural drawings, joinery details and production specs
- Liaise with designers and production teams to resolve ambiguities in scope
- Translate conceptual designs into buildable and costed solutions
Supplier & Procurement Engagement
- Supported by an admin team, source and request pricing from suppliers, fabricators, material service providers, AV providers and logistics partners
- Maintain a current supplier database and portfolio with benchmark pricing
- Evaluate supplier quotes for accuracy, feasibility and competitiveness
Commercial Control
- Ensure estimates align with company margin targets and risk appetite
- Identify cost-saving opportunities and value engineering options
- Flag commercial risks, scope gaps and potential variations early
Internal Collaboration
- Provide detailed BOQ breakdowns and documentation to the project management and production teams once projects are awarded
- Participate in project briefings to ensure clear understanding of scope, timelines and deliverables
- Work closely with:
- Administration (backing quotes, collateral, outsourcing elements)
- Project Managers (execution feasibility and timelines)
- Designers (buildability and material selection)
- Production Managers (labour and workshop costing)
- Attend briefing and handover meetings for clarity on scope and deliverables
Documentation & Systems
- Maintain estimation templates, pricing libraries and cost databases
- Ensure version control of quotes and revisions
- Use estimating programme / spreadsheets / ERP systems accurately and consistently
Required Skills & Competencies
Technical Skills
- Strong understanding of exhibition stand construction, retail fit-out and event builds
- Knowledge of materials: timber, aluminium systems, vinyl, print, lighting, AV integration
- Ability to read CAD (Revit) drawings and technical layouts
- Strong Excel / spreadsheet modelling capability
Commercial Skills
- Strong numerical accuracy, analytical ability and attention to detail
- Understanding of margin structures and project profitability
- Ability to work under tight deadlines and multiple concurrent briefs and tenders
- Excellent attention to detail
- Understanding of exhibition stand construction, materials, and production methods
- Commercial awareness and margin management
- Strong communication and coordination skills
Soft Skills
- Analytical thinker with structured problem-solving ability
- Strong communication skills (internal teams and suppliers)
- Ability to handle pressure during fast-turnaround quoting cycles
- Collaborative mindset with design and production teams
Experience Requirements
- 3–7 year’s experience in estimating within:
- Exhibition stand building and event industry and / or
- Retail fit-out / shopfitting and / or construction estimating
- Proven track record of successful tendering and awarded projects
- Experience working with design-to-build environments preferred
- Knowledge of stand build systems e.g. modular and custom fabrication
- Experience with exhibition venues and event environments
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and costing software
- Ability to read CAD (Revit) drawings and design layouts
Qualifications (Preferred)
- Diploma or degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management or related field
- CAD (Revit) literacy (AutoCAD, Revit)
- Estimating software experience beneficial
Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Accuracy of estimates vs actual project cost
- Quote turnaround time
- Win rate of submitted tenders
- Margin consistency across projects
- Reduction in post-quote variations due to scope gaps
Budget Monitoring
- Assist in tracking project costs versus estimates to support continuous improvement in pricing accuracy
- Highlight potential financial risks or scope changes during project development
Typical Working Environment
- Office-based with regular collaboration with design studios, production workshops and project managers
- Fast-paced environment driven by tight exhibition deadlines and tender submissions
- Occasional site visits to exhibition venues or fabrication facilities
- Occasional travel to Cape Town workshop
- Travel between regions to expand experience
Industry Context Note
This role operates in a fast-paced, flex, fluid, high-variability production environment, where:
- Scope changes are common
- Deadlines are fixed (exhibitions and events dates cannot move)
- Cost accuracy directly impacts profitability
- Collaboration between creative and technical teams is essential
Pay: R20 000,00 - R40 000,00 per month
Application Question(s):
- 1. What is your notice period?
- 2. How many years of experience do you have in estimating within the exhibition, event, retail fit-out, or construction industry?
- 3. Have you worked with custom-built exhibition stands, modular systems, or hybrid exhibition solutions?
- 4. Are you proficient in reading and interpreting CAD or Revit drawings and technical layouts?
- 5. How would you rate your Microsoft Excel and spreadsheet costing skills?
- 6. Do you have experience preparing detailed Bills of Quantities (BOQs) and comprehensive cost estimates?
- 7. Have you previously worked in an environment with tight tender deadlines and multiple quotations running simultaneously?
- 8. Do you have experience sourcing supplier quotations and evaluating pricing from subcontractors and service providers?
- 9. What is your highest qualification?
- 10. Do you have experience using estimating or costing software in addition to Microsoft Excel? If so, what systems/software have you used?
- 11. Have you been responsible for ensuring project estimates meet profitability and margin targets?
- 12. Do you have a valid driver's licence and reliable transport?
- 13. What is your expected monthly salary (CTC) - in ZAR?
Work Location: In person
