Estimator

The Estimator must be proficient in estimating commercial projects, sourcing and negotiating with sub-contractors, budgeting the jobs, establishing relationships, and working closely with Project Managers and Owners. The Estimator will prepare estimates for ground-up construction, remodels, and retrofits/tenant improvements of existing facilities. Job size will likely range from small to multi-million dollar projects. The Estimator is expected to work on multiple jobs simultaneously.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Attend pre-bid meetings and/or job sites to learn the scope of work and understand the relationships involved.

• Coordinate with the Project Manager and architect to determine the project scope as needed.

• Critically analyze the bid documents and site conditions to understand the risks and opportunities and articulate those to management.

• Estimate equipment, manpower, cost of project, and materials required to accomplish each project. Develop project scope take-offs and apply pricing for material and labor. Include specification outlines.

•Builds relationships with key sub-contractors to ensure adequate bid coverage.

• Provide valued input, feedback, and creative solutions during pre-construction efforts to help steer cost certainty during the early stages of project estimating.

• Create accurate conceptual budgets and detailed final construction documents in competitive bid deliveries.

• Qualify sub-contractor proposals for completeness and accuracy. Compare and analyze subcontractor and supplier bids and prepare competitive bid packages.

• Understand project logistics and develop initial critical path project schedules.

• Identify long lead time components and track accordingly.

• Read, understand, log, and track changes to all project drawings, specifications, and documents.

• Present estimates and participate in bid reviews with senior management to ensure accuracy and completeness.

• Communicate with owners, subcontractors, and other entities to ensure competitiveness.

• Participate in means and method discussions to drive creative thinking and innovative ideas that distinguish a successful estimate.

• Communicate estimate bid information to field operations at pre-construction meetings to ensure an understanding of the scope of the job and critical means and methods of construction.

• Gather and monitor actual cost vs. estimated cost, maintaining project cost history.

• Build relationships to understand client, designer, and subcontractor needs and expectations.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience

• Education – Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent construction management experience within the construction industry.

• Computer skills—Proficiency in Microsoft Suite, including Excel, Word, and Project. Experience with software for estimating and quantity takeoffs is a plus.

• Communication skills – Excellent communication skills, both oral and written. Effective presentation skills. Must have good follow-through. Must be able to generate detailed custom estimates and proposals as required to win work. High integrity standards are a must.

• Motivation – Must be a team player and self-starter. Able to work in a fast-paced environment. Must be willing to accommodate a flexible work schedule based on customer demands.

• Industry Experience – Minimum 5 years of experience in commercial construction estimating. Restaurant experience is a plus. Experience with conceptual estimating, negotiated cost estimating, and hard bidding. Must be able to work closely with architects, project managers, developers, and owners as required.

• Knowledge – Must know commercial construction means, methods, materials, and ordinances.