Estimator

About Us

For over 40 years, Living Gems has been creating award-winning lifestyle resorts across Australia. Now, with the launch of Living Gems 2.0, we're stepping boldly into our next chapter.

We're building a brand-new team to shape the future of our business — a rare chance to be in at the beginning again, but with the backing and stability of a company that's been trusted for decades. With both residential and commercial projects underway, and many more in the pipeline, this is an opportunity you won't often see.

Thinking About a Change?

Trade the commute for the coast — and bring your estimating expertise to Australia's sunny Gold Coast.

If you've ever thought about making a move across the Tasman, this might be the perfect reason. Living Gems — one of Australia's most established developers of luxury lifestyle resorts for active over-50s — is looking for an experienced Estimator / Cost Planner to join our team and help shape the future of our next-generation projects.

The Role

We're looking for an experienced Estimator / Cost Planner to join our team and play a key role in bringing our next generation of projects to life. This role is unique because it spans both residential and commercial developments, giving you variety, challenge, and influence.

You'll be preparing and reviewing cost plans, working closely with our site teams and suppliers, negotiating pricing and helping us shape the future of our estimating systems. It's a role for someone who enjoys being hands-on, collaborative, and part of a supportive team where everyone rolls up their sleeves together.

A Day in the Life...

Your day might start with a team catch-up to run through priorities before diving into preparing a detailed cost plan or budget estimate. Mid-morning, you could be on a call with a supplier, negotiating pricing or reviewing rates to make sure we're getting the best value. After lunch, you might sit down with a junior estimator to review their work and share insights, before meeting with the design or site team to discuss variations and keep projects on track. By the end of the day, you'll have had a mix of focused estimating work, problem-solving, and teamwork — the kind of variety that makes the role both challenging and rewarding.

What You'll Be Doing

• Preparing & reviewing detailed costings, take-offs, and cost plans
• Developing budgets across all project stages: concept, design, and construction
• Negotiating pricing and maintaining strong supplier relationships
• Tracking variations and supporting financial performance
• Collaborating with site managers, consultants, and internal teams
• Mentoring junior estimators and contributing to system improvements

What You'll Bring

• 10+ years' residential estimating experience (production background highly regarded)
• 8+ years' commercial estimating and cost planning experience
• Strong knowledge of construction processes & pricing structures
• Proficiency with Databuild (CUBIT highly regarded)
• A collaborative, down-to-earth style with excellent communication skills
• A proactive mindset — detail-focused, solutions-driven, and eager to share knowledge

Why You'll Love It Here

• Be part of the Living Gems 2.0 journey – shaping the future of a respected 40+ year-old company
• A role with real variety – spanning both residential and commercial estimating
• A collaborative, supportive team culture where everyone's contribution matters
• An exciting pipeline of projects with long-term stability
• Career growth and the chance to help set up systems and standards from the ground up

Why Now is the Perfect Time to Join

Living Gems is at a turning point — with Living Gems 2.0 we're relaunching a trusted 40+ year-old brand with a fresh, forward-looking vision. Joining us now means you'll be part of building something new from the ground up, while enjoying the stability of a company with decades of experience behind it. It's the best of both worlds: the excitement, influence, and opportunity of being there at the beginning — without the risks of a start-up.

This is more than just an estimating role — it's a chance to be part of a legacy business reimagined for the future. If you want your work to make a real impact, we'd love to hear from you.

Ready to be part of something exciting?

If this role sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you Please send your resume and cover letter directly to Nicola. We'll be interviewing as soon as applications arrive — so don't wait, apply now and take the opportunity to join Living Gems 2.0 at the very beginning of our journey.