Drake & Company

Drake is seeking an experienced Heavy Civil Estimator to prepare accurate, competitive cost estimates for civil construction projects. This position is responsible for reviewing plans and specifications, performing quantity takeoffs, securing subcontractor and supplier pricing, and evaluating labor, equipment, and material requirements.

The ideal candidate has extensive knowledge of heavy civil construction, exceptional attention to detail, and experience estimating roadway, earthwork, underground utility, concrete, paving, and infrastructure projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Review project plans, specifications, bid documents, contracts, and addenda.
• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs using Carlson Software.
• Prepare comprehensive estimates in B2W for labor, materials, equipment, subcontractors, overhead, and other project costs.
• Estimate heavy civil projects involving roadway construction, excavation, grading, drainage, underground utilities, concrete, asphalt paving, and site development.
• Solicit, review, and compare pricing from subcontractors, suppliers, and vendors.
• Analyze project risks, site conditions, scheduling concerns, and potential cost-saving opportunities.
• Attend pre-bid meetings and conduct jobsite visits as needed.
• Coordinate with project managers, superintendents, operations teams, and company leadership throughout the estimating process.
• Develop bid schedules, scopes of work, clarifications, exclusions, and proposal documents.
• Ensure estimates comply with project specifications, TxDOT requirements, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Submit complete and accurate bids by established deadlines.
• Participate in bid reviews and project handoff meetings following project awards.
• Maintain current pricing, production rates, historical cost data, and estimating records.
• Prepare change-order estimates and cost evaluations for active projects.
• Build and maintain professional relationships with owners, engineers, subcontractors, suppliers, and other industry partners.

Required Qualifications

• Previous estimating experience in heavy civil construction.
• Strong understanding of heavy civil construction methods, materials, equipment, productivity rates, and project sequencing.
• Ability to read and interpret civil plans, specifications, geotechnical reports, and contract documents.
• Strong mathematical, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple bids and meet competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to jobsites and pre-bid meetings as needed.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, civil engineering, or a related field.
• Proficiency with B2W Estimate and Carlson Software.
• Experience estimating TxDOT, municipal, commercial sitework, or other public infrastructure projects.
• Roadway and highway construction.
• Mass excavation and grading.
• Underground utilities and drainage systems.
• Concrete structures and flatwork.
• Asphalt paving.
• TxDOT specifications and bidding requirements.
• Experience with HCSS HeavyBid, AGTEK, Bluebeam, or similar estimating and takeoff programs.