IMPORTANT — PLEASE READ
This is an in-house, full-time estimating and procurement role for an experienced construction estimator. This position is not entry-level. If you have never built quotes for high-ticket construction projects or managed material ordering and supplier relationships, this is not the right fit.
About Modern Yardz
Modern Yardz is a high-end design + build landscape construction company specializing in custom outdoor living spaces. Our projects commonly include pavers/hardscape, turf, outdoor lighting, drainage, planting, pergolas, outdoor kitchens, and full backyard transformations.
We are hiring an In-House Estimator to be the backbone of our production pipeline. Our sales team meets with clients and captures all measurements and scope, then hands off to our internal design team. Once a job reaches the design stage, you prepare the quote and hand it back to the sales team to present and close. This is a behind-the-scenes role — you won't interact with clients directly. Once a job is sold, you become our in-house purchaser — placing orders, managing supplier relationships, and keeping material and delivery costs under control.
What You'll Do
Estimating
- Take completed designs and measurements and turn them into accurate, professional quotes
- Build scope, material takeoffs, and pricing with strong margin awareness
- Hand finished quotes back to the sales team and turn around revisions quickly to support the close
- Keep estimating templates, cost groups, and catalog pricing current and accurate
- This is an internal role — no client-facing meetings or selling
Purchasing
- Place and track material orders on all sold jobs
- Build and maintain relationships with suppliers (turf, hardscape, aggregate, irrigation, lighting, etc.)
- Negotiate pricing and identify what we can buy in bulk to lower per-job cost
- Monitor and minimize delivery expenses and coordinate delivery timing with the production schedule
- Maintain detailed records of orders, costs, and vendor terms in our systems
- Flag cost overruns or pricing changes early and partner with ops on solutions
Who This Role Is For
You'll do well here if you have experience in:
- Construction estimating (landscape/hardscape strongly preferred)
- Reading construction plans, designs, and measurements
- Material takeoffs, scope building, and job costing
- Purchasing, procurement, and vendor negotiation
- Working at a high volume without sacrificing accuracy
Who This Role Is NOT For
Please do not apply if:
- You are new to estimating or new to construction
- You've never built quotes or managed ordering for high-ticket projects
- You are uncomfortable owning accuracy, deadlines, and cost control
Requirements (Non-Negotiable)
- 3+ years of construction estimating experience (landscape/hardscape preferred)
- Strong material takeoff, scope-building, and job-costing skills
- Purchasing / procurement and vendor negotiation experience
- Highly organized, accurate, and able to manage many active jobs at once
- Comfortable using Google Workspace (Docs/Drive/Calendar) and learning new software/CRM
- Must live in San Diego and have reliable transportation
Preferred (Nice to Have)
- Pavers/hardscape, turf, drainage, lighting, irrigation product knowledge
- Experience with estimating or construction management software
- Existing supplier relationships in the San Diego market
- VIP 3D / Structure Studios/ Sketch Up familiarity
Compensation & Benefits
- Health / Dental / Vision insurance
- Paid time off
- 401(k)
- Cell phone reimbursement
- Mileage reimbursement
- Professional development assistance
- Advancement opportunities
Schedule: Monday to Friday
Job Type: Full-time
Work Location: In person (San Diego, CA)
HOW TO APPLY (applications without these will not be reviewed)
- Resume showing relevant estimating and purchasing experience
- Answers to the screening questions below
Pay: $80,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Describe a time you negotiated better pricing or terms with a supplier. What was the result?
- Roughly how many active estimates or jobs have you managed at one time?
Experience:
- Construction estimating: 3 years (Required)
Location:
- San Diego, CA 92111 (Required)
Work Location: In person
