An established commercial general contractor in Central Virginia is seeking an experienced Commercial Construction Estimator to prepare accurate, competitive bids for commercial building projects, including renovations, tenant improvements, interior build-outs, and ground-up construction. The ideal candidate has strong technical estimating skills, hands-on takeoff and subcontractor pricing experience, and the ability to assemble complete bid packages across multiple deadlines. This is a hands-on estimating role, from initial drawing review and cost analysis through final bid submission and project handoff.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop project budgets and detailed cost estimates for commercial construction projects.
- Review architectural, structural, and MEP drawings, specifications, and contract documents to define scope and pricing.
- Perform detailed quantity takeoffs and calculate labor, material, equipment, and subcontractor costs.
- Solicit and evaluate subcontractor and supplier bids, level proposals, and identify scope gaps or pricing discrepancies.
- Prepare complete bid packages with detailed cost breakdowns, assumptions, exclusions, and scope definitions.
- Identify cost-saving opportunities, constructability concerns, scheduling constraints, and procurement risks during preconstruction.
- Work with project managers, field supervisors, designers, and trade partners to validate estimates and resolve discrepancies.
- Track labor rates, material costs, subcontractor pricing, and market trends to keep estimates accurate and competitive.
- Attend site visits, pre-bid meetings, and client discussions to clarify project requirements.
- Maintain organized bid records, cost databases, and historical pricing.
- Hand off awarded projects to operations with clear budgets, scope details, and estimating assumptions.
Requirements
- 5+ years of commercial construction estimating experience, preferably with a general contractor.
- Experience estimating commercial renovations, tenant improvements, interior build-outs, and/or ground-up construction.
- Strong understanding of construction costs, labor productivity, material pricing, and subcontractor costs.
- Ability to read and interpret architectural, structural, and MEP drawings, specifications, and contract documents.
- Hands-on experience with quantity takeoffs, subcontractor bid solicitation, proposal leveling, and final estimate preparation.
- Ability to identify scope omissions, pricing inconsistencies, and trade overlaps.
- Proficiency with construction estimating software; Bluebeam Revu experience preferred.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and time-management skills with excellent attention to detail.
- Ability to manage multiple estimates at once and meet tight deadlines.
- Please Note: candidates must be able to personally prepare estimates and complete bid submissions, not solely oversee the estimating process.
Benefits
- Competitive base salary commensurate with experience.
- Health insurance options.
- Retirement plan options.
- Paid time off.
- Additional company-sponsored benefits.