ESTIMATOR / QUANTITY SURVEYOR

ESTIMATOR / QUANTITY SURVEYOR

Fancy a great job without the big-city bulls**t?

Do you know your way around a set of plans, have a good head for numbers, and get a weird amount of satisfaction from putting together a price that actually stacks up?

Have you got PROVEN estimating experience in NZ Civil Construction?

Do you value a flexible, family-focused workplace where your contribution is noticed?

Would you like to work with a close-knit team where people work hard, have a laugh and take pride in delivering quality work?

Would you enjoy pricing a wide variety of civil projects, where no two days — or tenders — are the same?

And most importantly, do you want to work somewhere that values you, pays you well, gives you room to grow and has a bloody good time along the way?

Trade the big-city grind for the Whanganui good life

Sick of Auckland or Wellington traffic, enormous mortgages and family life being squeezed in around work? Heck, can you even GET a mortgage?

This role is based in Whanganui, where the commute is measured in minutes, not hours.

Imagine being able to afford a lifestyle property with space for the kids, dogs, a shed and a garden. Finish work and actually be home. River, beach, mountain, bush, fishing, hunting and cycling are all close by. You can build a serious career without sacrificing your life to do it. It's all here waiting for you in Whanganui.

For the right person, we'll contribute up to $3,000 towards relocation.

About Grounded Company Grounded Company HQ Ltd is an award-winning, Māori-owned civil construction company based in Whanganui. We deliver civil infrastructure, drainage, three waters, earthworks, subdivisions, concrete, roading, vehicle crossings, retaining walls, playgrounds and lifestyle developments across Whanganui, Rangitīkei, Manawatū and surrounding regions. We're an established Tier 2 contractor delivering work for regional and district councils across the area and major Tier 1 organisations. We've grown rapidly, our projects are getting bigger and more complex, and we're investing in systems, tender capability and the right people to take us to the next level. Our culture is practical, hardworking and people-focused. We value whanaungatanga, manaakitanga, mahi tahi and kotahitanga. We do excellent work, keep learning, have fun and make sure our people get home safely to their families.

Now we need someone who can help us sharpen our commercial systems and win the right work.

Why this role is worth a look

• Up to $130,000 base salary, depending on experience. *Performance bonus up to $10,000. *Relocation assistance up to $3,000. *Professional development and genuine room to grow. *A f**ken fun, supportive, slightly nutty, down-to-earth team. *Team events, social stuff and a workplace where hard work and humour coexist. *A great career without giving up the Kiwi lifestyle.

Your role will include

• Preparing accurate estimates and quantity take-offs from plans and specifications.
• Pricing labour, plant, materials, subcontractors, traffic management, permits and overheads.
• Getting supplier/subcontractor pricing and spotting scope gaps, risks and potential variations.
• Preparing tender submissions, methodologies, clarifications and exclusions.
• Working with our project team so estimates reflect how the job will actually be built.
• Supporting procurement, cost control and post-job reviews.
• Improving Grounded's estimating systems, rates, templates and tender processes.

What we're looking for

• A good head for numbers, analysis and problem-solving.
• Ability to read and interpret civil plans, specifications and tender documents.
• Commercial awareness — you can spot both risk and opportunity.
• Proactive, organised and able to juggle multiple estimates without losing accuracy.
• Civil construction, drainage, earthworks, roading, three waters, QS or estimating experience is highly regarded.
• Practical knowledge of how civil projects are actually built is a big advantage.
• Most importantly, you'll fit a family-owned, Māori-owned business where accountability, teamwork and respect matter.

This isn't a role where you'll disappear into a corporate estimating department as employee #482. You'll work directly with the owners and have real input into what we tender, how we price risk, how we improve our systems and where Grounded goes next.

We're building our capability to take on larger and more complex work, and this role will be a big part of that. As we grow, there's genuine potential for this position to grow with you.

To apply send an email to carol@groundedhq.co.nz with a brief outline of why you want to come and work for us and your favourite thing on toast. NOTE- you must have proven New Zealand Civil estimating experience to apply for this position.

Applications close: 30/10/2026 Email: carol@groundedhq.co.nz

Whanganui role Relocation package available Auckland and Wellington applicants encouraged