Meet Issy.
Junior Estimator.
Issy joined Hi-Tech coordinating mechanical and electrical works. Eighteen months later, an opportunity to move into estimating gave her a new career direction built around surveying, problem-solving, commercial awareness and project delivery.
“I have learnt never to assume what may come next in an industry that is always changing—and not to doubt myself.”
Finding a new direction within the industry
Issy began her Hi-Tech career as a Mechanical and Electrical Coordinator, supporting the planning and delivery of reactive and project works.
Her role involved scheduling engineers, preparing teams for upcoming work, maintaining customer communication and helping ensure the right resources were available at the right time.
After around eighteen months, discussions about her development opened up several possible career routes. One of those was estimating—a role that allowed her to combine the operational experience she had already gained with a new set of technical and commercial skills.
From coordinating today’s work to shaping tomorrow’s projects
Issy’s progression shows how operational knowledge can become the foundation for a successful career in estimating.
M&E Coordinator
Issy developed an understanding of reactive works, engineer availability, customer communication, scheduling and the practical pressures involved in delivering maintenance across live sites.
Career Progression
Supported by experienced colleagues and managers, Issy explored several development routes before taking the opportunity to move into the estimating team.
Junior Estimator
Issy now surveys sites, develops costs, explores procurement options, discusses delivery timeframes and helps turn customer requirements into practical, deliverable proposals.
“I enjoy the freedom to shape my schedule, the variety that each day brings and being surrounded by skilled, supportive people.”
Building estimates that work in the real world
Issy’s current role still draws on many of the skills she developed in service coordination, but the focus has moved from managing existing reactive work to preparing future and follow-on works.
She reviews the requirement, considers the labour and materials needed, explores procurement options and discusses realistic timescales with engineers and operational managers.
Site surveys have become an important part of her development. Seeing properties first-hand helps her understand the condition, access, risks and operational constraints behind each quotation.
- Surveying customer sites and gathering accurate information
- Developing costs and clear scopes of work
- Exploring suitable materials and procurement options
- Working with engineers to understand practical delivery requirements
- Producing realistic programmes and customer proposals
More than putting a price against a job
Effective estimating requires technical curiosity, communication, planning and the confidence to ask the right questions.
Technical understanding
Working alongside experienced engineers helps Issy understand how systems operate, what may be causing a problem and which solution is most appropriate.
Commercial thinking
Estimating requires consideration of labour, materials, procurement, risk, sequencing and realistic delivery times—not simply the headline cost.
Project ownership
Issy has begun following projects beyond quotation, supporting scheduling, customer meetings, documentation, problem-solving and final-account activities.
Taking Hayling Island Library from price to completion
Issy’s first larger project involved upgrading the lighting throughout Hayling Island Library.
She was responsible for pricing the work and remained involved throughout the full project lifecycle, supporting procurement, scheduling, problem-solving, customer meetings and final-account activities.
She also produced the required follow-on documentation, giving her experience of how a successful estimate must translate into organised, controlled and commercially sound delivery.
The project presented challenges, but the final outcome was positive and gave Issy a valuable first look at the type of responsibility her estimating career could grow into.
Challenging assumptions about where a career can lead
Issy’s experience has taught her that careers rarely follow a perfectly predictable route. Industries change, opportunities appear and people can develop into roles they may not initially have considered.
She is also proud to represent women developing careers in construction, engineering and estimating—areas where access and representation have historically been more limited.
“Do not assume what may come next, and do not doubt what you are capable of achieving.”
Your next opportunity may be closer than you think
Issy’s story shows how one role can become the foundation for something completely different. Join a business where development is encouraged, experience is shared and people are supported to explore where their strengths could take them.