Estimator - Introduction
Welcome to your first two weeks with us here at My Build Estimate & Bhangals Construction Consultants.
This document outlines the training plan for our new Estimator, providing a comprehensive overview of the first two
weeks, including essential skills development, key systems familiarisation, and ongoing support.
Key People
Parm Bhangal Karen Bhangal Harrison Baxter Katie Newman
Director Director Estimating Director Operations Director
Kieran Rollings Arun Prabhakaran Joe Reynolds Marcus Baker
Estimating Team Leader Estimator Estimator Estimator
Contacts
Management Contact Number:
+447718933623
Associate Operations Director:
katie@bhangals.co.uk
Associate Estimating Director:
harrison@bhangals.co.uk
IT Support Email:
support@dufeu-it.co.uk
Week 1: Introduction and Foundation Skills
Day 1-2: Orientation and Bluebeam Basics Day 3-8: Bespoke Training Videos and
Independent Practice
Start your day with a team introduction and overview of
the week. This will be followed by a session on our folder Dive deeper into our bespoke training videos, covering
structure, Girai website navigation, and an introduction to specific topics such as measuring items on Bluebeam,
our in-house systems. You will then begin your Bluebeam inputting data into our Excel templates, and
training using Bluebeam University, covering core understanding the context and application of different
functionalities and features we utilise daily. building components. You will be expected to apply the
knowledge gained by mirroring the video process in both
Bluebeam and Excel.
Week 2: Practical Application and
Assessment
Day 9: Project Application Day 10: Feedback and Assessment
Apply your newfound knowledge by creating an estimate Receive personalised feedback from one of our estimators
for a new project. Utilise the training videos, notes, and on your completed project, focusing on areas for
resources to complete the measures and inputs required. improvement. Afterwards, complete an estimating
Don't hesitate to revisit any of the training materials as assessment that will involve a series of questions based on
needed. your training. This will assess your ability to measure,
interpret notes, and produce samples.
Week 3: Continued Application and
Development
Day 11-12: Feedback and Independent Project Completion
Receive feedback on your assessment and address any areas requiring further clarification. Following this, you will
independently complete another full project from start to finish, which will be reviewed and discussed with an estimator to
provide further feedback and guidance.
Tools and Resources
Training Videos
Team Support
Regular Check-ins
You will have access to comprehensive training videos for guidance during independent work. You will be paired with
experienced colleagues for ongoing support and guidance. Regular meetings with your line manager are scheduled for
feedback, assistance, and to address any questions you may have.
Key Systems Overview
Excel Bluebeam
Our bespoke Excel templates are essential for data input Bluebeam is our primary software for measurement,
and calculation. You will receive extensive training on annotation, and collaboration on construction projects.
their structure and functionality. You will learn how to navigate this program and utilise
its advanced features.
Girai BreatheHR
Girai is our in-house website for project management BreatheHR is our employee management system, where
and document sharing. It helps us streamline workflow you will find important documents, policies, and access
and maintain a central hub for all project-related to your own information.
information.
Performance Indicators and Support
Performance Indicators Ongoing Support
Accuracy of measurement taking in Bluebeam Regular team meetings for updates and Q&A
Input of information into Excel Monthly one-on-ones with your line-manager
Understanding of project requirements Colleagues on hand to support with any assistance
Conclusion
This training plan is designed to equip you with the essential knowledge and skills required for success in your role as an Estimator. We are
committed to providing you with the necessary support and guidance throughout your journey. Your success is our priority, and we
encourage you to ask questions, seek assistance, and continue to learn and develop your skills.
International Team Expectations & Procedures
As part of your onboarding, here are a few key expectations designed specifically to support our remote team members working
across time zones. These will help keep communication clear and ensure you feel connected and supported.
Communication & Availability Task Updates & Time Tracking
• You're expected to stay active and communicative on Teams during your core working hours. • Submit timesheets or task updates every Friday by 5:00 PM BST.
• Make sure to overlap at least 4 hours with UK hours (9:00 AM–5:00 PM BST) where possible. • Notify your team leader at least 1 hour before you finish a task.
• Keep your status updated and notify your team if you're stepping away. • Let us know immediately if you're stuck or need clarification.
• When starting a new project, you will need to put the following information into your group
chat via Teams
o Job Number
o Project Date
o Project Service
o What template you are using
o (Example): "I am starting MBE12978, this is due Thursday 8th May, the project is a
Standard Estimate and i will be using the Standard Estimate template".
Conduct & Collaboration
• Always act professionally with colleagues and clients.
• If you are unsure about anything, ask – honesty is always valued.
• Over-communication is better than silence.
• We’d rather you interrupt than feel stuck.
If you run out of work:
• Message your team leader in the group chat.
• If you have no reply in 5 minutes, follow up with a Ctrl + I message.
• Still no reply? Call your team leader or Harrison directly.
• Always escalate instead of waiting silently.
Contractors Remote Working Policy
Our contractor remote work policy outlines guidelines for individuals who work from a location other than our offices. We
want to ensure that both contractors and our company will benefit from these arrangements. This policy applies to all
contractors who engage in remote working.
Policy Elements
Remote working is a permanent or temporary agreement between contractors and managers to work from a non-office
location on a regular basis.
Remote working agreement
Contractors may work remotely on a permanent or temporary basis. Permanent remote work contractors should indicate
their primary working address for company records. Their contract will also outline their responsibilities as remote
contractors, these will be based around:
Their individual circumstances
The nature of their role,
The needs of the business,
The requirement to attend the office on particular days at the request of their manager, in such cases you will be given as
much notice as possible.
Leave Policy
All leave taken by contractors is unpaid, which includes holidays and sickness.
When requesting leave, contractors must provide a minimum notice of 2 weeks.
The steps to take are as follows:
• Notify your line manager via email with the details of your leave request.
• Submit the request via BreatheHR for formal approval.
Important Considerations:
• Contractors must ensure leave does not coincide with critical project
deadlines or peak business periods, unless previously agreed upon with
the line manager.
• In the case of emergencies or unforeseen circumstances, contractors
should notify their line manager as soon as possible. While the 2 weeks
notice is generally required, we understand there may be situations that
require more immediate leave.
• All leave requests are subject to approval based on business needs.
Contractors will be informed if any requested leave cannot be
accommodated.
• Contractors are expected to resume work promptly following approved
leave unless otherwise discussed with their line manager.
Remote working that works
While working remotely, you must be available and working during your normal hours of work, as set out in your contract.
We ask you to be mindful that you are not overworking - "downtime" from work is essential. To help maintain your
wellbeing, please make sure that you take adequate rest breaks:
Take half an hour for lunch each day.
Even if you are busy, it is essential that you find the time to take a break of at least 20 minutes during each working day
that lasts more than six hours.
Ensure the time period between stopping work one day and beginning the next is not less than 11 hours.
Making use of tools such as shared calendars and out-of-office messaging can help colleagues to be aware of your
availability on these days. It is your responsibility to notify us if you are not going to be available or at your desk.
Ensuring Performance and Compliance
1 Choose a quiet and distraction-free 2 Have an internet connection that's
working space. adequate for their job.
3 Dedicate their full attention to their 4 Adhere to break and attendance
job duties during working hours. schedules agreed upon with their
manager.
Team members and managers should determine long-term and short-term goals. They should frequently meet (either
online or in-person when possible) to discuss progress and results.
Time Tracking and Reporting
Contractors may be required to submit timesheets or progress reports, as outlined in their agreement, to ensure
transparency and accountability.
Compliance with Policies
Our remote contractors must follow our company's policies in the same way as their office-based colleagues. All company
policies are contained in the employee handbook and the office etiquette rules.
Remuneration, Benefits, and Performance
Remuneration and benefits
Remuneration is determined by job role. Any company benefits applicable are not altered by a remote working agreement.
Deliverables
Contractors must meet agreed deliverables as per the timelines specified in their contract. These deliverables will be
assessed based on the quality of work, deadlines, and adherence to project specifications.
Performance Reviews
The company may conduct periodic performance reviews to ensure that work is progressing as expected. This may involve
meetings with managers, reviewing progress reports, or evaluating project outcomes.
Adherence to Company Policies
Although contractors are not employees, they are required to comply with certain company policies, especially those related
to:
Data protection
Confidentiality
Intellectual property rights
Code of conduct
Code of Conduct
Contractors must maintain professional behaviour in all interactions with company contractors, clients, and stakeholders.
Any misconduct may result in the termination of the contract.
Equipment and Technical Support
Remote contractors will be required to use their own equipment however if we do provide our remote contractors with
equipment that is essential to their job duties, like laptops, headsets and mobile phones (when applicable.) We will install
VPN and company-required software when contractors receive their equipment. We will not provide secondary equipment
(e.g. printers and screens.).
Equipment that we provide is company property. You must take care of any equipment we provide you with,and notify your
line manager/the IT department of any faults with the equipment. If you need any equipment, you should notify your line
manager. Specifically, contractors must:
Keep their equipment password protected.
Store equipment in a safe and clean space when not in use.
Follow all data encryption, protection standards and settings.
Refrain from downloading suspicious, unauthorised or illegal software.
Contractors must keep it safe and avoid any misuse. Contractors may have to take up insurance to cover the cost of
company equipment.
Personal Equipment
Contractors who use their personal devices for work must ensure that the devices are secure, up to date with anti-virus
software, and compliant with company security protocols.
Technical Support
Contractors are expected to resolve minor technical issues themselves, but the company may provide remote IT support for
major issues involving company-provided software or hardware.
Health, Safety, and Data Protection
Health and safety
You should liaise with your line manager to ensure that your remote working set-up is appropriate and that you are working
in a safe manner. However, you must also take responsibility for your own health and safety and that of anyone else who is
affected by your work (for example others in your household when you are working from home).
You must notify your line manager if:
you feel any discomfort due to working remotely (such as back pain); or
you believe that there are any work-related health and safety hazards;
any work-related accidents occur in your home.
Your line manager will escalate the matter to the appropriate person in the business to look into what action can be taken.
Data Protection
Contractors who are working remotely are responsible for keeping information associated with our company secure at all
times. Specifically, remote workers are under a duty to:
practise good computer security, including using a unique password for your work laptop and any other devices you use
for work,
keep all hard copies of work-related documentation secure, including keeping documents locked away at all times
except when in use; and
ensure that work-related information is safeguarded when working in public spaces, for example by:
positioning your laptop so that others cannot see the screen,
not leaving your laptop unattended; and
not having confidential/business-sensitive conversations in public spaces.
In addition, the laptop and other equipment provided by us must be used for work-related purposes only and must not be
used by any other member of your household or third party at any time or for any purpose.
Resolution Mechanism and Agreement
Execution
Resolution Mechanism
Any disputes arising from the remote working arrangement must first be addressed through mutual discussion. If
unresolved, disputes will be settled according to the dispute resolution mechanism outlined in the contractor's agreement,
typically via arbitration or through appropriate legal channels under Indian law.
Employee Activity and Working Hours Monitoring
To ensure productivity and compliance with company expectations, we actively monitor employee working hours and
activity. If we identify that the required working hours are not being met, we will address this with the individual in a formal
meeting. Additionally, we track passive time, which refers to periods where there is no input detected on the computer. If
excessive passive time becomes a concern, we will review the situation and discuss it accordingly. Our goal is to maintain
transparency and support employees in meeting their work commitments efficiently.
