Commercial Construction Estimator
Position Summary
We are seeking an experienced Commercial Construction Estimator to support the planning and preconstruction of commercial building projects from initial concept through final bid. This position is responsible for developing accurate and competitive estimates, reviewing plans and specifications, performing detailed quantity takeoffs, soliciting subcontractor and supplier pricing, and identifying potential cost, scope, and schedule risks.
The ideal candidate has a strong understanding of commercial construction methods, materials, labor productivity, subcontractor markets, and project sequencing. This individual will work closely with project executives, project managers, superintendents, owners, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and vendors to develop complete and reliable project budgets.
Projects may include ground-up construction, renovations, tenant improvements, office, retail, healthcare, education, hospitality, industrial, warehouse, mixed-use, and other commercial facilities.
Key Responsibilities
Estimating & Preconstruction
- Prepare detailed conceptual, schematic, design-development, and final construction estimates.
- Perform comprehensive quantity takeoffs from architectural, structural, civil, and MEP drawings.
- Develop estimates for labor, materials, equipment, subcontractors, general conditions, and other project costs.
- Review drawings, specifications, addenda, geotechnical reports, and other bid documents to fully understand project scope.
- Identify missing information, scope gaps, constructability concerns, and potential cost risks.
- Prepare preliminary budgets when complete construction documents are not yet available.
- Develop cost models using historical project data, current market pricing, and subcontractor input.
- Maintain organized estimating files and supporting documentation for each project.
- Assist with value engineering and alternate construction solutions to help projects meet budget requirements.
- Provide cost comparisons for different materials, systems, and construction approaches.
Bid Management
- Develop bid packages and scopes of work for subcontractors and suppliers.
- Solicit competitive pricing from qualified subcontractors and vendors.
- Maintain strong relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, and trade partners.
- Review subcontractor proposals for completeness and confirm that all required scope is included.
- Level and compare subcontractor bids to identify exclusions, qualifications, overlaps, and scope gaps.
- Follow up with subcontractors to clarify pricing and resolve discrepancies.
- Ensure adequate subcontractor coverage for major divisions and trades.
- Prepare detailed bid tabs and pricing comparisons.
- Incorporate subcontractor and supplier pricing into the overall project estimate.
- Assist with final bid reviews and management presentations prior to submission.
Plan & Specification Review
- Thoroughly review architectural, structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection documents.
- Identify inconsistencies between drawings and specifications.
- Develop RFIs and clarification requests when bid documents are incomplete or conflicting.
- Evaluate constructability and recognize conditions that may affect cost or schedule.
- Understand project logistics, site access, phasing, temporary facilities, safety requirements, and general conditions.
- Evaluate project-specific requirements that may create additional labor, equipment, or material costs.
Cost Analysis & Budgeting
- Develop detailed estimates by CSI division and trade.
- Analyze historical cost information and apply lessons learned to future estimates.
- Track current material, labor, and subcontractor pricing.
- Evaluate market escalation and procurement risks.
- Develop allowances and contingencies based on project design status and risk.
- Compare current estimates against previous budgets and explain significant cost changes.
- Participate in budget reconciliation meetings with owners, architects, and project teams.
- Provide cost-saving recommendations without compromising project quality or performance.
Project Turnover
- Participate in preconstruction-to-operations turnover meetings after project award.
- Provide project managers and superintendents with detailed information regarding estimate assumptions, subcontractor pricing, scope, exclusions, and potential risks.
- Assist the operations team with subcontractor scope development and buyout as needed.
- Review actual project costs against estimated costs to improve future estimating accuracy.
- Participate in post-project reviews and incorporate lessons learned into estimating procedures.
Qualifications
- 3–10+ years of commercial construction estimating or preconstruction experience preferred.
- Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field preferred; equivalent field and estimating experience will also be considered.
- Strong knowledge of commercial construction methods, materials, sequencing, and building systems.
- Experience estimating both ground-up commercial construction and renovation projects preferred.
- Strong understanding of architectural, structural, civil, and MEP drawings.
- Ability to perform detailed quantity takeoffs and develop complete project estimates.
- Strong knowledge of subcontractor scopes and construction trade divisions.
- Experience soliciting, reviewing, leveling, and negotiating subcontractor bids.
- Ability to identify scope gaps and potential cost risks before project award.
- Strong mathematical, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple estimates and deadlines simultaneously.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively with project executives, project managers, superintendents, subcontractors, architects, engineers, and clients.
Software Experience
Experience with one or more of the following is preferred:
- Procore
- Bluebeam Revu
- BuildingConnected
- On-Screen Takeoff (OST)
- PlanSwift
- Sage Estimating
- HCSS
- Autodesk Construction Cloud
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Project
- Other construction estimating and takeoff platforms
Preferred Experience
Candidates with experience estimating projects in one or more of the following sectors are strongly preferred:
- Ground-up commercial construction
- Office and corporate facilities
- Retail
- Healthcare
- K-12 and higher education
- Hospitality
- Industrial and manufacturing
- Warehouse and distribution
- Mission-critical/data center
- Mixed-use
- Tenant improvements
- Renovations and occupied-space construction
Key Skills
Successful candidates should demonstrate:
- Detailed construction estimating
- Quantity takeoffs
- Conceptual estimating
- Preconstruction planning
- Subcontractor solicitation
- Bid leveling and analysis
- Scope development
- Value engineering
- Cost control
- Constructability review
- Blueprint and specification interpretation
- MEP and structural coordination
- Risk identification
- Strong subcontractor relationships
- Deadline management
- Attention to detail
What Success Looks Like
The Commercial Construction Estimator will consistently produce accurate, complete, and competitive estimates while identifying risks before they become project issues. This individual will understand not only how to price the work, but also how the project will actually be built.
Success in this position requires someone who can balance attention to detail with the ability to see the overall project, communicate effectively with trade partners and internal teams, and provide reliable cost information that supports smart bidding and preconstruction decisions.
Typical Responsibilities at a Glance
The Estimator will manage projects through the estimating process - from initial plan review and quantity takeoff through subcontractor solicitation, bid leveling, final pricing, and project turnover. The position requires the ability to manage multiple deadlines while maintaining accuracy and developing strong relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, and internal operations teams.