Estimator
Job Description
Job Description
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.