Assistant Estimator
Department: Estimating
Location: Chicopee, MA
Compensation: $50,000 – $60,000 annually, depending on experience
Collins Electric covers the full cost of employee benefits and offers a profit-sharing retirement plan, making total compensation meaningfully higher than base salary alone.
Position Summary
The Assistant Estimator supports the estimating team by assembling, organizing, and maintaining the documentation that every bid depends on. This role owns the administrative backbone of the bid process — plan and specification management, addenda tracking, vendor quote solicitation and logging, and proposal assembly — so that estimators can focus on takeoffs, pricing, and bid strategy.
The position supports estimating across all the company’s work rather than a single division, giving the Assistant Estimator exposure to a wide range of project types, delivery methods, and bidding processes.
This is an entry-level position and a deliberate training track. The Assistant Estimator will work with drawings, specifications, and estimating software from the start, and will take on supervised takeoff and pricing work as skills develop, with a defined path to a full Estimator role.
Key ResponsibilitiesBid Documentation and File Management
- Download, organize, and distribute bid documents from plan rooms, owner portals, and public procurement sites.
- Set up and maintain bid folders using standard company file structure.
- Track addenda as issued, confirm the estimating team is working from current drawings and specifications, and flag revisions that affect scope already priced.
- Print and distribute drawing sets as needed.
- Own the bid log and bid calendar, including due dates, delivery methods, and submission requirements.
Vendor and Subcontractor Coordination
- Issue invitations to bid to vendors and subcontractors and follow up to confirm receipt and intent to quote.
- Log incoming quotes and organize them into comparison format for estimator review.
- Chase outstanding quotes ahead of bid deadlines and escalate coverage gaps to the assigned estimator.
- Maintain vendor and subcontractor contact lists and coverage records by trade and product category.
Proposal Assembly and Submission
- Assemble complete bid packages, including bid forms, bid bonds, required certifications, prequalification documents, and owner-specific forms.
- Proofread packages against the instructions to bidders and specification requirements, verifying every required item is present, signed, and correctly completed before estimator review.
- Route documents for signature and notarization, and coordinate bond requests with the surety and accounting.
- Submit bids through electronic portals or coordinate physical delivery to meet hard deadlines.
Estimating Support and Development
- Perform basic quantity takeoffs under estimator supervision, such as fixture, device, and equipment counts.
- Enter takeoff quantities and vendor pricing into estimating software.
- Perform drawing markups and comparisons in Bluebeam.
- Assist with post-bid activities, including tracking bid results, maintaining hit-rate records, and filing closed bids.
- Help compile turnover packages for the project management team on awarded work.
- Attend pre-bid meetings and site walks with an estimator as schedule allows, to build familiarity with field conditions and project types.
QualificationsRequired
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage many documents and deadlines at once without losing track.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Outlook.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills, and comfort following up with vendors and subcontractors by phone and email.
- Ability to work under deadline pressure, including occasional extended hours on bid days.
- Willingness and ability to learn to read electrical drawings, specifications, and contract documents.
- Valid driver’s license.
Preferred
- Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in construction management, engineering, or a related field.
- Prior experience in a construction office, whether in estimating, project administration, or purchasing.
- Familiarity with Bluebeam or other PDF markup software.
- Exposure to electrical estimating software (Accubid, ConEst, McCormick, or similar).
- Any electrical field experience or trade coursework.
- Experience with public bidding processes and their documentation requirements.
Benefits
- 401(k)
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
Compensation Package
- Bonus opportunities
- Profit sharing
- Weekly pay
Equal Employment Opportunity
Collins Electric provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
Pay: $50,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Required)
Experience:
- Microsoft Excel and Outlook: 1 year (Required)
License/Certification:
- Driver's License (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Chicopee, MA 01020 (Required)
Work Location: In person
