Hire an offshore estimating assistant for your Australian construction business
An offshore estimating assistant supports your estimators with takeoffs, supplier pricing, tender preparation, and bid administration — handling the volume work behind every tender. Through Lite-Force, they're employed properly via an EOR structure with payroll, compliance, and HR support included. Most hires are live within 2–4 weeks.
Day in the life
A day in the life of an offshore estimating assistant.
Typical responsibilities:
- Quantity takeoffs — from drawings and BIM models in Bluebeam, PlanSwift, On-Center
- Subcontractor RFQ management — distributing tender packages and chasing returns
- Supplier pricing — sourcing material and labour rates against tender requirements
- Tender document preparation — assembling submission packages with the estimator
- Bid log and rates database maintenance — keeping pricing libraries current
- Tender clarifications — drafting and lodging clarification requests with the client
- Procurement schedules — preparing long-lead items lists and supplier programmes
- Post-tender admin — debrief notes, won/lost analysis, file archiving
Why offshore
Why estimating support works well offshore.
Estimating support is structured volume work.
Takeoffs, RFQs, and bid prep follow defined patterns. Once your offshore assistant knows your trades, subcontractor base, and estimator's preferences, they execute consistently across tenders.
Estimating tech is cloud-based.
Bluebeam Revu Cloud, PlanSwift, On-Center, Buildxact, CostX, BuildSmart, BuildPlanner — all cloud-accessible. Your offshore assistant works in the same files as your estimator.
Timezone overlap supports tender deadlines.
Philippines hours align with Australian business hours. RFQs go out, supplier responses come in, and bid clarifications happen during your trading week.
More tenders won.
Estimators win deals by submitting more (and better) tenders. Offshore support multiplies tender capacity — your estimators chase opportunities, your assistant runs the volume work.
Cost comparison
What does an estimating assistant cost — local vs offshore?
Indicative comparison based on typical Australian salary ranges for this role.
Local Australian hire
Lite-Force offshore
Indicative comparison based on typical Australian salary ranges for mid-senior estimating assistant roles supporting tenders on commercial projects (sources: PayScale, SEEK Estimator Melbourne, Hays FY25/26 Construction Guide, Talent.com). Cadet figures excluded. Lite-Force pricing confirmed on a per-role basis during your discovery call.
What's included
What you get with a Lite-Force estimating assistant.
Included in the service
- Full sourcing, screening, and shortlisting
- EOR employment contract structured for local compliance
- Monthly payroll and statutory contributions
- Leave tracking and management
- HR support and regular check-ins
- Replacement commitment within initial period
Typical candidate profile
- 3–7 years estimating, quantity surveying, or construction-cost support experience
- Strong English (written — RFQs, clarifications, tender documentation)
- Hands-on with takeoff software (Bluebeam, PlanSwift, On-Center, Buildxact, CostX)
- Familiar with Australian construction documentation and tender processes
- Filipino or Southeast Asian — timezone-aligned with Australia
Getting started
Three steps to your offshore estimating assistant.
Book a discovery call
Tell us about your project type mix, tender volume, software stack, and team structure.
We source and shortlist
You review candidates with relevant project type experience, interview your favourites.
They start
Employment, payroll, and onboarding handled. You manage the work.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
Do they understand Australian construction context?
Most experienced offshore estimating assistants have worked for Australian or UK builders — they understand standard documentation, NCC references, AS standards, and Australian subcontract conventions. We screen for AU-specific experience.
What takeoff software are they trained on?
Common: Bluebeam Revu, PlanSwift, On-Center, Buildxact, CostX, Vico Office, Cubit. Specific software requirements confirmed during scoping.
Can they read BIM models and 3D documentation?
Many experienced assistants can — BIM 360, Navisworks, Revit viewers are common. For deep BIM coordination, screen specifically for BIM-focused experience.
How do they handle commercial decisions in tenders?
Commercial decisions (mark-up, contingency, win strategy) remain with your senior estimator. Assistants handle the volume work — takeoffs, RFQs, comparisons — feeding into the estimator's commercial judgement.
What if the hire doesn't work out?
Replacement commitment within the initial engagement period. If technical depth or fit isn't right, we source again at no additional placement cost. Details confirmed in your service agreement.
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