Construction Estimator

Position: Sr. Estimator

Location: San Antonio, TX

Work schedule: M-F / 7-4, not frequent overtime

Salary: $100k - $120,000

+ gas card, Phone, Computer

Must Haves:

• HS Dipolma or GED
• Experience in open market bidding and negotiated work
• Experience solutioning and creating statements of work and estimates by walking a job site, not having a set of plans and specs given
• Proven experience in take offs and coordinating pricing quotes with subcontractors
• Ability to scope and level sub-bids
• Must have a high attention to detail
• They will be estimating by trying to find the best way to execute – could be many ways to see how to build something or what parts to put together

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Understand basic construction concepts , including differences between commercial and municipal projects (e.g., MEP systems, concrete, parks & rec, facilities, civil utilities, etc.)
• Work with varying levels of documentation :
• Sometimes receive full plans and specifications; other times, create scope of work from site walks and stakeholder input.
• Identify key areas for protection and improvements (lighting, pavement, playground equipment) based on comments and observations.
• Develop scope and pricing :
• Build out subcontractor lists and determine sources for materials and equipment.
• Estimate labor hours and manpower requirements.
• Perform take-offs and pricing :
• Use plans/specs or field notes to create detailed line-item estimates.
• Send scopes to subcontractors, compare their take-offs and pricing, and consolidate into a master estimate sheet.
• Communicate with subcontractors for clarifications and adjustments.
• Handle projects without formal plans :
• Walk jobs in the field, take detailed notes, and create statements of work.
• Translate field observations into actionable scopes for subcontractors.
• Leverage estimating tools :
• Use OST for digital take-offs.
• Apply E4Clicks and RSMeans for pricing based on quality standards and national cost indexes.
• Manage detailed pricing :
• Break down costs line by line (e.g., dumpster rental, haul-away, lighting fixtures) rather than lump-sum pricing.
• This is highly important, we are struggling right now because we can’t see how pricing is built-up. We are only seeing the “bottom line” of the labor, equipment, material, etc. or the sub price
• Understand differences from general contracting estimators (who price by room or system).
• Coordinate with MEP trades :
• Engage electrical and mechanical experts as needed for complex scopes.
• Ensure compliance with Job Order Contracting (JOC) standards:
• Maintain transparency and accuracy in pricing sheets (JIPs – Job Item Pricing Sheets).