Commercial Estimator
CaseCo Commercial · Purcellville, VA · 2 wk ago
On-siteOTHRFull-time
Position Summary
The Commercial Estimator is responsible for producing accurate, defensible, and competitive cost estimates and bids across CaseCo Commercial's general contracting, design-build, and facilities management work. This role sits at the intersection of preconstruction, client relationships, and subcontractor management — translating plans, specifications, and scope into a winning, profitable estimate, and translating relationships into pipeline.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Prepare complete, detailed cost estimates for ground-up construction, additions, remodels, interior build-outs, and historic restoration projects
- Perform quantity takeoffs from plans and specifications; verify scope completeness against drawings, addenda, and RFIs
- Solicit, level, and qualify subcontractor and vendor bids; identify scope gaps and qualification discrepancies before submission
- Build and maintain unit cost, labor, and material pricing databases reflective of current market conditions
- Auxiliary the Pre-Construction Manager in budget development, value engineering, and constructability reviews
- Prepare bid packages, proposal narratives, and qualification/exclusion language for client submission
- Serve as a primary point of contact for clients, architects, owners, and developers during the preconstruction and bid phase
- Build and maintain a qualified subcontractor and supplier base across all major trades; manage prequalification, scope coverage, and bid-day responsiveness
- Represent CaseCo Commercial professionally in pre-bid meetings, site walks, and client presentations
- Maintain ongoing communication with subcontractors and suppliers between bids to preserve relationship strength and pricing competitiveness
- Support smooth handoff from estimating to the Commercial Project Manager, including a clear scope, budget, and subcontractor summary
- Identify and pursue new bid opportunities through existing relationships with architects, owners, developers, and industry contacts
- Track bid opportunities, win rates, and pipeline in coordination with the VP Commercial & Federal
- Support proposal and capability presentation development for prospective clients
- Cultivate long-term relationships that generate repeat and referral business for CaseCo Commercial
- Coordinate with Commercial Superintendents and Project Managers to ensure estimate assumptions match field execution
- Provide regular pipeline, bid, and win/loss reporting to the VP Commercial & Federal
- Participate in scoreboard and operating rhythm meetings as required
Core Competencies
- Accuracy & Attention to Detail — gets the numbers right; understands that a missed line item is a margin problem six months later
- Relationship Builder — earns trust with clients and subs through transparency, responsiveness, and follow-through
- Ownership — treats every bid as if their name and CaseCo's reputation are on it
- Collaboration — works fluidly across estimating, operations, and business development rather than in a silo
- Growth Mindset — proactively pursues new relationships and opportunities rather than waiting for leads to arrive
Physical & Work Environment
- Primarily office-based with regular travel to job sites, client meetings, and bid walks
- Ability to navigate active construction sites, including uneven terrain and varying weather conditions
- Valid driver's license and reliable transportation required
Requirements
- 3+ years of commercial construction estimating experience (general contracting, design-build, or related)
- Working knowledge of commercial construction means, methods, and sequencing
- Proficiency with estimating and takeoff software, and project management platforms (e.g., Procore)
- Strong working knowledge of construction contracts, scope qualification, and subcontractor agreements
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; comfortable presenting to clients and ownership
- Demonstrated relationship-building skills with subcontractors, suppliers, and client representatives
Preferred Experience
- Across office, retail, healthcare, industrial, or historic restoration project types
- Prior business development or client-facing sales experience in construction or a related field
- Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field, or equivalent field experience