About Us

Spanlift Commercial, a division of Spanlift Australia, delivers design and construct commercial and industrial projects across South Australia, typically ranging from $1M to $10M for developers and owner occupiers. Our promise is Sound Advice, Smart Design, Smooth Journey, and we back that promise with real capability, not just a slogan.

Operating from our Richmond office, we continue to see strong growth in our commercial and industrial pipeline. At Spanlift, we focus on building long-term careers, not just filling positions. We invest in our people, provide the systems to do the job properly, and foster a workplace where everyone contributes to outstanding project outcomes.

The Role

As our pipeline has grown, preconstruction and estimating are becoming their own dedicated function within the business, and we're looking for the person to lead it.

This is not a narrow pricing role. You'll own the full preconstruction cycle, from client brief through concept design, cost planning, trade scoping and consultant coordination, through to a clean, construction-ready handover to the Project Manager.

What You’ll Do

- Build first-principles cost plans and concept budgets from a hand sketch or early design intent

- Refine pricing as designs develop and control cost movement through to contract

- Scope trades, obtain and assess subcontractor pricing, and integrate this into the working budget

- Coordinate architects, engineers and other consultants to keep design intent, program and buildability aligned

- Apply Safety in Design principles and resolve buildability risk before it reaches site

- Manage approvals and authority pathways, including planning and building consent approvals

- Lead and develop the internal drafting team, and maintain drafting standards

- Deliver complete,



construction ready documentation with no design gaps carried into the build

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for a reliable, organised, and practical Preconstruction Manager / Estimator with a proactive, solutions-focused mindset.

Skills & Attributes

- 4+ years' experience in commercial or industrial construction, ideally within a Design and Construct setting

- Genuine estimating capability, including pricing from concept and incomplete documentation, not just quantity takeoff from finished drawings

- Strong understanding of trade scopes, construction sequencing and buildability

- Confidence managing consultants, drafting personnel and engineers, and driving them toward a deliverable

- Commercially sharp and decisive, comfortable owning a cost outcome, not just producing a number

- Strong attention to detail under time pressure, across multiple live projects at once

Our Core Values

At Spanlift, our values guide how we work every day.

- Jump Right In: We take ownership, get involved, and make things happen.

- How Can I Help?: We work together and support our teammates and customers.

- Think Smart: We look for better ways to work and continuously improve.

- Sorted: We finish what we start and deliver on our commitments.

What We Offer

- Competitive remuneration based on skills and experience

- Real influence over project outcomes, margin and risk, at a point where you'll shape how this function is done for years to come

- Direct access to decision makers, not layers of corporate process

- Strong pipeline of ongoing commercial and industrial work

- Supportive team environment with room to build your own systems

Ready to Apply?

If you’re a capable and motivated Preconstruction Manager / Estimator , we’d love to hear from you.

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📌 Preconstruction Manager / Estimator (Adelaide)
🏢 Spanlift Australia
📍 Adelaide