COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION
Preconstruction Manager / Estimator
Own the project from initial opportunity through contract award and formal operations handoff.
Company: ABC Construction Co.
Location: Peachtree City, Georgia
Employment: Full-Time
Work Arrangement: In-Person
About the Company
ABC Construction Co. is a commercial construction and real estate development company serving Metro Atlanta and surrounding Georgia markets. We are a fast-paced, growth-oriented organization with high standards for quality, consistency, accountability, and customer service.
We are looking for more than technical estimating experience. We are seeking a dependable, values-driven professional who will represent our company well through their work and their interactions with clients, architects, engineers, subcontractors, vendors, and public agencies.
Position Summary
The Commercial Construction Preconstruction Manager/Estimator is responsible for managing commercial construction opportunities from initial client engagement through contract award and formal turnover to the assigned Project Manager.
This position leads the first phase of each project, including plan review, conceptual budgeting, detailed estimating, subcontractor solicitation, bid leveling, scope development, value engineering, permitting coordination, proposal preparation, and preconstruction communication.
The Preconstruction Manager/Estimator establishes the financial and operational foundation for each project. Success requires accurate estimating, detailed scope development, consistent follow-up, strong communication, sound judgment, and the ability to identify risks before construction begins.
Role boundary: This is a preconstruction position. It is not intended to serve as the Project Manager after construction begins.
Primary ResponsibilitiesPreconstruction Management
· Manage assigned opportunities from initial project review through contract award and Project Manager handoff.
· Review drawings, specifications, geotechnical reports, surveys, civil plans, finish schedules, and other project documents.
· Identify missing information, design conflicts, constructability concerns, long-lead items, and potential cost or schedule risks.
· Develop and maintain preconstruction schedules, bid timelines, and milestone dates.
· Coordinate with clients, architects, engineers, consultants, subcontractors, and suppliers throughout preconstruction.
· Participate in client meetings, design meetings, site visits, scope reviews, and preconstruction presentations.
· Maintain clear communication regarding pricing progress, outstanding information, deadlines, and next steps.
· Track design revisions and evaluate their effects on project cost and scope.
· Maintain accurate and organized preconstruction records within the company’s software systems.
Estimating and Budget Development
· Prepare conceptual budgets, preliminary estimates, detailed estimates, and final construction proposals.
· Perform quantity takeoffs and develop detailed scopes of work by trade.
· Solicit competitive pricing from qualified subcontractors, suppliers, and vendors.
· Maintain strong subcontractor and supplier participation throughout the bidding process.
· Review, compare, and level subcontractor and supplier proposals.
· Identify scope gaps, overlaps, exclusions, allowances, clarifications, and qualifications.
· Confirm estimates include required labor, materials, equipment, supervision, permits, insurance, general conditions, fees, and other project costs.
· Develop general conditions and project-specific requirements.
· Maintain accurate estimate updates as drawings and project requirements evolve.
· Verify subcontractor qualifications, availability, coverage, and understanding of the project.
· Prepare bid comparison reports and subcontractor recommendations.
· Maintain and expand the company’s subcontractor and supplier database.
· Track historical costs and use completed-project information to improve future estimates.
Value Engineering and Risk Management
· Identify value-engineering opportunities that reduce costs while preserving the client’s functional and design objectives.
· Develop alternate pricing and cost-saving recommendations.
· Evaluate proposed materials, systems, and construction methods for cost, availability, constructability, and schedule impact.
· Clearly communicate pricing assumptions, exclusions, allowances, alternates, and potential risks.
· Escalate material scope, pricing, design, or schedule concerns to company leadership before proposals or contracts are finalized.
· Confirm that final contract scope and pricing are consistent with the approved estimate.
Permitting and Preconstruction Compliance
· Determine applicable permitting requirements and approval processes for assigned projects.
· Prepare, coordinate, and submit commercial building permit packages when required.
· Track permit submissions, review comments, revisions, resubmittals, and approval status.
· Follow up consistently with municipalities, plan reviewers, utility providers, and regulatory agencies.
· Coordinate responses to plan-review comments with architects, engineers, consultants, and clients.
· Identify inspection, utility, impact-fee, and agency requirements that could affect project cost or schedule.
· Ensure permit costs, requirements, and anticipated timelines are incorporated into the project budget and preconstruction plan.
Proposal and Contract Support
· Prepare clear, professional, and complete client proposals.
· Present budgets, estimates, alternates, qualifications, and value-engineering recommendations to clients.
· Participate in scope-review and contract-negotiation meetings.
· Incorporate approved revisions into final estimates and proposals.
· Assist company leadership with developing the final construction scope and contract exhibits.
· Confirm that the final project budget reflects the agreed-upon contract scope before execution.
· Maintain complete documentation of pricing decisions, client approvals, and scope revisions.
Project Turnover
Once a project is awarded, lead a formal turnover meeting with the assigned Project Manager and Superintendent. The turnover package should include:
· Final estimate and approved project budget
· Executed contract and applicable exhibits
· Detailed trade scopes and bid-leveling information
· Subcontractor and supplier proposals
· Recommended subcontractor selections
· Allowances, alternates, exclusions, and clarifications
· Permit and utility status
· Long-lead materials and procurement concerns
· Value-engineering decisions
· Design revisions and unresolved questions
· Client commitments and special project requirements
· Identified cost, scope, schedule, and constructability risks
· Preconstruction correspondence and supporting documentation
After turnover, the Project Manager assumes primary responsibility for project execution, subcontractor buyout, submittals, RFIs, scheduling, cost control, change orders, and ongoing client communication. The Preconstruction Manager/Estimator remains available to clarify the original estimate, scope, assumptions, and preconstruction decisions when needed.
Qualifications
· Minimum of three years of commercial construction estimating or preconstruction experience.
· Demonstrated experience preparing estimates for commercial ground-up construction and/or interior build-out projects.
· Strong ability to read and interpret architectural, structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing drawings.
· Knowledge of commercial construction methods, materials, sequencing, and trade scopes.
· Experience soliciting, reviewing, leveling, and qualifying subcontractor and supplier bids.
· Knowledge of construction budgeting, general conditions, value engineering, and cost control.
· Experience coordinating commercial building permits and regulatory approvals.
· Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office.
· Experience using estimating or construction-management software.
· Ability to manage multiple projects, estimates, priorities, and deadlines simultaneously.
· Strong written, verbal, organizational, and customer-service skills.
· Valid driver’s license and ability to attend project meetings and site visits as required.
Preferred Qualifications
· Five or more years of commercial construction estimating or preconstruction experience.
· Experience estimating projects ranging from approximately $1 million to $5 million.
· Established relationships with subcontractors and suppliers throughout Metro Atlanta.
· Experience with conceptual estimating, negotiated work, competitive bidding, and design-build delivery.
· Experience with commercial permitting processes in Metro Atlanta municipalities.
· Experience with construction management, takeoff, bidding, scheduling, or document-management software.
Skills and Attributes
· High integrity and personal accountability
· Fanatical attention to consistency and excellence
· Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
· Excellent organization and attention to detail
· Clear, professional, and timely communication
· Consistent follow-up and deadline management
· Confidence interacting with clients and construction professionals
· A proactive approach to identifying and resolving problems
· Sound judgment when evaluating scope, cost, and risk
· A positive, team-oriented attitude
· Dependability and a strong work ethic
· A willingness to take ownership of projects and results
Performance Expectations
· Accuracy and completeness of estimates
· Thoroughness of scopes and bid comparisons
· Ability to identify scope gaps and project risks
· Timeliness of proposals, budgets, and permit submissions
· Subcontractor participation and bid coverage
· Quality and professionalism of client communication
· Effectiveness of value-engineering recommendations
· Organization and completeness of project turnover packages
· Variance between estimated costs and post-award purchasing results
· Successful transition of awarded projects to the operations team
Compensation and Benefits
· Competitive salary based on experience
· Performance-based bonus opportunities
· Paid time off
· Health, dental, and vision insurance
· Professional development and advancement opportunities
How to Apply
Please submit your resume and relevant commercial construction experience for consideration. Qualified candidates will be contacted by our team regarding the next steps in the interview process.
ABC Construction Co. is an equal opportunity employer.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $70,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- commercial construction estimating: 3 years (Required)
Work Location: In person
