Construction Estimator

Position Summary

The Construction Estimator is a key member of the Commercial Construction team and is responsible for delivering accurate, well-documented cost projections throughout the preconstruction process. This role performs detailed quantity take-offs, applies accurate unit pricing, develops scopes of work, solicits and analyzes subcontractor bids, prepares comprehensive budget estimates, and provides value engineering input.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan Reading & Analysis

• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of construction scopes of work by thoroughly reviewing plans and specifications, including civil, architectural, structural, MEP, and fire protection disciplines.
• Produce written plan reviews, design commentary, and constructability feedback during preconstruction.
• Utilize industry-standard software (e.g., Bluebeam) to perform detailed plan take-offs and extract key data such as areas, dimensions, quantities, and material lists for estimating and historical reference.

• Cost Database Maintenance

• Maintain and enhance the Commercial Construction Actual Cost Database by exporting, organizing, and escalating historical cost data from Client project management software.
• Track regional labor rate fluctuations and material cost trends to ensure accurate escalation of historical actual costs.
• Continuously improve estimating templates, tools, and workflows to increase efficiency and reduce the risk of manual error.

• Conceptual & Preliminary Estimating

• Prepare high-level conceptual budgets using limited design information, leveraging comparable project data and cost-per-square-foot metrics.
• Develop detailed, line-item budget estimates based on schematic and design development plan sets by applying unit costs to quantity take-offs.
• Substantiate critical cost items with preliminary subcontractor pricing when appropriate.

• Scope of Work Development & Bid Management

• Participate in scope development meetings and site walks to define, document, and clarify bid requirements.
• Produce clear, organized bid documents, including scope-specific plan markups and bid forms.
• Collaborate with the Preconstruction Project Manager (Precon PM) to distribute bid invitations and manage bidder communications.
• Assist with the RFI (Request for Information) process by documenting design team clarifications and distributing them to bidding subcontractors.
• Maintain an up-to-date commercial subcontractor database and actively recruit, vet, and prequalify new trade partners to ensure competitive bid coverage.
• Prepare detailed bid comparisons to identify scope gaps, exclusions, overlaps, and inconsistencies.
• Analyze subcontractor pricing against internal expectations and historical cost data to identify anomalies or risks.
• Support scope review calls with subcontractors to confirm full alignment with bid requirements.

• Project Management & Construction Support

• Support the Precon PM in progressing projects from conceptual estimating through contract execution.
• Aid in preconstruction schedules, client communications, and preparation of construction proposals and contract documentation.
• Compile project hand-off documentation and participate in preconstruction-to-construction transition meetings.
• Support Construction Project Managers with final subcontractor scopes of work (Exhibit As) and Schedules of Values derived from preconstruction documentation.
• Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned to support the Commercial Construction team.

Qualifications And Skills

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, construction management or related field
• AutoCAD and/or Bluebeam experience
• Exceptional Excel skills
• 3-5 years of commercial construction and estimating experience
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints to fully understand every phase of construction
• Ability to perform material take-offs and bid leveling
• Understanding of the CSI Construction Divisions