Commercial Construction Estimator #ESF7258

Position Overview

Our client, an established commercial general contractor based in Pensacola, Florida, is seeking a Commercial Construction Estimator to join its preconstruction team.

The company delivers ground-up construction and renovation projects across healthcare, automotive dealerships, light industrial, and general commercial markets, serving clients from South Alabama through Jacksonville, Florida.

The position is particularly suited to professionals with 3–5 years of commercial general contracting experience in estimating, preconstruction, or project management. Candidates with broader experience or relevant multi-trade subcontractor estimating backgrounds are also encouraged to apply.

The Estimator will manage assigned projects from conceptual budgeting and detailed estimating through bid submission and handoff to operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Conceptual Estimating: Develop budgets from preliminary sketches, program documents, and incomplete design drawings.
• Detailed Cost Estimating: Prepare quantity takeoffs and estimates for negotiated and competitively bid commercial projects, including self-perform scopes.
• Construction Documents: Review drawings, specifications, scopes of work, and contract documents.
• Subcontractor Coordination: Obtain pricing, confirm trade coverage, and resolve gaps before bid submission.
• Bid Management: Prepare scope sheets and bid forms, evaluate proposals, and identify scope gaps or overlaps between trades.
• Cost Analysis: Level subcontractor bids and recommend markups, fees, and bonding costs for approval.
• Value Engineering: Identify practical cost-saving opportunities and alternative construction approaches.
• Bid Documentation: Maintain assumptions, exclusions, clarifications, and RFI logs.
• Relationship Management: Coordinate with subcontractors, suppliers, design teams, owners, and internal project teams.
• Project Handoff: Prepare award documentation and support operations through subcontractor buyout.
• Cost Benchmarking: Maintain historical costs, unit rates, and estimating benchmarks.

Required Qualifications

• Experience: Minimum 3 years of commercial construction estimating experience, including relevant multi-trade subcontractor estimating experience.
• Commercial GC Background: Experience in commercial general contracting, preconstruction, or project management is strongly valued.
• Estimating Skills: Ability to price projects from complete construction documents and develop budgets from limited design information.
• Multi-Trade Knowledge: Understanding of commercial construction trade scopes, responsibilities, and coordination.
• Software: Proficiency in Bluebeam, BuildingConnected, Microsoft Excel, and relevant estimating software.
• Bid Coordination: Ability to manage multiple estimates and meet bid deadlines.
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication and effective subcontractor coordination.
• Professional Qualities: Accountability, adaptability, teamwork, and willingness to learn.
• Screening: Ability to complete applicable background, drug, and driving-record screening in accordance with applicable law.
• Driver's License: Valid driver's license where required for job-related travel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Commercial GC Experience: Approximately 3–5 years in estimating, preconstruction, or project management.
• Multi-Trade Estimating: Experience estimating work involving multiple construction trades.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Building Science, or a related field; equivalent experience considered.
• Healthcare Construction: Experience with occupied healthcare facilities.
• Regional Knowledge: Gulf Coast estimating experience and relationships with local subcontractors and suppliers.