Mechanical Construction Estimator
Gootee Construction, Inc. | Metairie, LA
Full-time | In-person
Gootee Construction is looking for an experienced Mechanical Construction Estimator who can help us pursue, price, and win complex commercial mechanical projects.
This is a strong opportunity for a detail-oriented estimator who understands HVAC and plumbing systems, can perform accurate quantity takeoffs, communicates well with vendors, subcontractors, and clients, and wants to grow with a 100% employee-owned company.
About Gootee Construction
Gootee Construction is a Metairie-based commercial mechanical contractor serving the Greater New Orleans region and surrounding markets. We specialize in complex HVAC, plumbing, piping, medical gas, VRF, mechanical equipment, central plant, renovation, and new construction work across healthcare, education, institutional, industrial, hospitality, and commercial markets.
We are a 100% employee-owned company through our ESOP, which means our people have a direct stake in the long-term success of the business. Gootee has strong family-company roots, a growing regional presence, and a culture built around ownership, teamwork, practical problem-solving, and doing the work the right way.
The Opportunity
The Mechanical Construction Estimator will report to the Preconstruction Manager and work alongside other estimators to prepare accurate, complete, and competitive estimates for commercial mechanical construction projects.
This person will be involved in hard bids, negotiated work, design-assist efforts, conceptual budgets, GMP support, renovations, and new construction. The right candidate will not simply perform takeoffs. They will help identify scope gaps, ask good questions, communicate with vendors and subcontractors, support bid strategy, and help prepare complete bid packages.
For the right person, this role can grow into Senior Estimator, Preconstruction Manager, or broader preconstruction leadership as Gootee continues to grow.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare estimates for commercial mechanical construction projects ranging from approximately $1M to $30M.
- Perform quantity takeoffs for HVAC piping, plumbing, medical gas, mechanical equipment, hydronic systems, VRF, central plants, renovations, and new construction.
- Review drawings, specifications, addenda, and bid documents for scope, risk, gaps, and clarification needs.
- Solicit, review, and level vendor and subcontractor quotes.
- Communicate directly with vendors, subcontractors, general contractors, engineers, and clients as needed.
- Support hard bids, negotiated work, design-assist projects, conceptual budgets, and GMP pricing.
- Prepare alternates, clarifications, inclusions, exclusions, and value engineering ideas.
- Help assemble complete prime bid packages, including bid forms, affidavits, bid bonds, required attachments, and supporting documents.
- Coordinate with preconstruction, operations, BIM/VDC, purchasing, accounting, and project teams.
- Prepare clean turnover packages for operations after award.
- Stay organized and composed under bid deadlines.
- Help improve estimating accuracy, bid coverage, and the overall preconstruction process.
What We’re Looking For
Must-Haves
- 3+ years of experience in a mechanical construction estimating role.
- Strong understanding of commercial HVAC and plumbing systems.
- Ability to perform accurate quantity takeoffs.
- Experience estimating large commercial mechanical projects.
- Ability to review drawings and specifications for scope, risk, and gaps.
- Strong organization and attention to detail.
- Ability to work under bid pressure and meet deadlines.
- Strong communication skills with vendors, subcontractors, GCs, clients, and internal teams.
- Self-starter who can move work forward without constant direction.
- Willingness to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and solve problems before they grow.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience estimating mechanical projects from $1M to $30M.
- Experience with medical gas, hydronic systems, VRF, central plants, renovations, and new construction.
- Experience with hard bid, negotiated, design-assist, conceptual budgeting, and GMP work.
- Degree in Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering, or related field preferred, but not required with strong mechanical estimating experience.
- OSHA-10 preferred; OSHA-30 is a plus.
- Additional construction, safety, estimating, or project management certifications are a plus.
Technology and Systems
Primary estimating tools include:
- QuoteSoft
- Bluebeam
- Excel
- Outlook
- Teams
- Microsoft Office products
Experience with QuoteSoft and Bluebeam is preferred, but we are willing to train the right candidate who has strong mechanical estimating fundamentals.
Work Location and Schedule
This is a full-time, in-person role based out of our main office in Metairie, Louisiana. The role is primarily office-based, with occasional pre-bid walks, jobsite visits, rooftop access, mechanical room reviews, and coordination meetings as needed. Standard office hours apply, with occasional early morning, after-hours, or deadline-driven needs depending on bid schedules.
Compensation and Benefits
Compensation is competitive and based on experience.
Benefits include:
- Monthly cell phone allowance
- Discretionary annual bonus
- 401(k) eligibility after 90 days
- Company 401(k) match: 100% match on the first 3% contributed, plus 50% match on the next 2%; company match is not subject to a vesting period
- ESOP participation upon meeting eligibility requirements; this retirement benefit is 100% company-funded and provides shares of company stock over time
- Health insurance eligibility on the 1st of the month following 60 days of employment, with the company contributing toward the team member’s premium.
- Short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance eligibility after 60 days, with the company paying 20% of the premium
- Dental and vision insurance offered after 60 days, with employee-paid premiums.
- PTO and holidays
Safety-Sensitive Position
This is a safety-sensitive position. While this role is primarily office-based, the Estimator will attend pre-bid walks, visit active jobsites, access mechanical rooms, rooftops, and other project areas, and may need to climb ladders or navigate typical construction-site conditions.
Candidates must be able to pass a pre-employment drug screen, physical, and motor vehicle record check.
Apply
To apply, contact us through www.gootee.com or apply directly through this posting.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Gootee Construction, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We hire based on experience, character, ability, and alignment with the role. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.
Pay: $80,000.00 - $95,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- How many years of mechanical construction estimating experience do you have?
- Which estimating/takeoff tools have you used?
Ability to Commute:
- Metairie, LA 70001 (Required)
Work Location: In person
