Joinery / Cabinet Making Estimator (003 -00463)

​​Looking for Philippines-based candidates

Job Role: Joinery Estimator

Compensation range: $1,600 AUD - $2,000 AUD / Monthly

Engagement type: Independent Contractor Agreement

Work Schedule: This role is expected to align with the AU business hours (approx. 9 AM - 5 PM, Monday to Friday) for collaboration, but as a contractor, you’ll have flexibility in how you manage your time.

Who We Are: At Hunt St, we help Australian companies hire top remote talent in the Philippines. For this role, you will be engaged directly by the client as an independent contractor. We are not an outsourcing agency. All of our roles are 100% remote so you'll be able to work from home.

Who The Client Is: The client is a Melbourne-based custom joinery business focused on residential projects, including kitchens, wardrobes, and whole-house joinery. The business is owner-led and hands-on, with a strong emphasis on attention to detail — from clear documentation and accurate pricing through to quality workmanship on site.

As a growing operation, the founder places high value on trust, accountability, and building strong working relationships with designers, builders, and subcontractors. The business is being built deliberately, with the aim of delivering well-scoped, high quality projects and creating a professional, respectful environment for everyone involved.

Role Overview: The Joinery Estimator is responsible for preparing accurate and commercially viable estimates for custom residential joinery projects including kitchens, wardrobes, vanities, laundries, and whole-house fit-outs.

This role requires prior estimating experience specifically within Australian cabinetmaking or joinery businesses. Candidates must already understand residential joinery construction methods, hardware systems, manufacturing processes, and material take-offs with minimal training required.

The successful candidate will be able to interpret architectural and interior drawings, identify scope gaps and cost risks, and confidently prepare detailed estimates that support profitable project delivery.

Key Responsibilities:

Estimating & Pricing

• Review architectural drawings and specifications for custom joinery projects
• Prepare accurate and well-scoped cost estimates covering materials, labor, finishes, hardware, and installation
• Conduct detailed quantity take-offs from drawings and documentation
• Identify cost risks, value-engineering opportunities, and margin improvements
• Prepare and submit quotes and pricing documentation within required timeframes

Supplier Coordination & Purchasing

• Source and compare supplier and subcontractor pricing
• Prepare and manage purchase orders for materials, hardware, and outsourced components based on approved estimates, ensuring correct quantities, pricing, and lead times

Pre-Production & Drafting Handover

• Liaise with designers, drafting, and suppliers to validate scope, pricing, and pre-production requirements
• Prepare and complete a structured handover to the drafting function, including confirmed scope, finishes, hardware selections, and any estimating assumptions required for accurate shop drawings

Variations & Commercial Control

• Prepare and price variations and scope changes accurately and promptly, ensuring margin consistency and clear documentation for client approval
• Ensure estimates align with company standards, budgets, and commercial objectives

Continuous Improvement

• Maintain and update estimating databases, pricing schedules, and cost libraries
• Support post-job cost reviews by comparing estimated versus actual material and labour costs, identifying recurring variances and improvement opportunities

• Proven experience as a Joinery Estimator within an Australian cabinetmaking or joinery business
• Strong understanding of residential custom joinery including kitchens, wardrobes, vanities, laundries, TV units, and architectural joinery
• Demonstrated experience preparing detailed quantity take-offs and pricing from architectural, interior design, and shop drawings
• Practical knowledge of:
• cabinet construction methods
• board materials and yields
• hardware systems
• finishes
• manufacturing workflows
• installation requirements
• Familiarity with Australian suppliers, hardware brands, and joinery materials
• Ability to identify missing information, scope gaps, buildability issues, and cost risks before production
• Strong understanding of labour allowances and production-based estimating
• High attention to detail and strong numerical accuracy
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Strong communication skills when coordinating with drafting, production, suppliers, and management

The successful candidate will be someone who can:

• Review a set of plans and quickly understand joinery scope without excessive guidance
• Prepare accurate estimates with logical labor and material allowances
• Identify scope gaps, missing details, or impractical design elements early
• Understand how projects will actually be manufactured and installed
• Communicate clearly and proactively with drafting, suppliers, and management
• Continuously improve pricing accuracy and estimating systems

Work Arrangement & Expectations:

This is a remote role that will be set up as an independent contractor engagement.

To ensure alignment and transparency, successful candidates will be expected to:

• Disclose any existing ongoing roles or client work
• Reflect this engagement on their LinkedIn profile (clearly marked as “Independent Contractor”)