Construction Estimator
Position Summary
Cultivate Construction is seeking a detail-oriented and motivated Construction Estimator to support our growing commercial, industrial, government, and development project pipeline.
The Construction Estimator will be responsible for reviewing plans and specifications, preparing accurate quantity takeoffs and estimates, developing project cost sheets and schedules, coordinating subcontractor and supplier pricing, and assisting with the development of new project opportunities.
This position requires someone who can take a project from the initial opportunity and plan-review stage through the preparation of a complete, organized, and competitive estimate.
Key Responsibilities
Estimating & Plan Review
- Review construction plans, specifications, addenda, scopes of work, and bid documents.
- Identify project requirements, scope gaps, exclusions, and potential risks.
- Perform detailed quantity takeoffs for labor, materials, equipment, and subcontracted work.
- Develop preliminary budgets, conceptual estimates, and detailed bid estimates.
- Solicit and evaluate subcontractor and supplier pricing.
- Compare subcontractor proposals against plans and specifications to verify complete scope coverage.
- Prepare bid clarifications, qualifications, assumptions, and exclusions.
- Assist management with final bid review and pricing strategy.
Cost Sheets & Scheduling
- Create and maintain detailed project cost sheets.
- Develop cost breakdowns by trade, phase, and cost code.
- Prepare preliminary project schedules and construction durations for estimating purposes.
- Maintain historical cost information to improve future estimating accuracy.
- Assist with developing project budgets that can transition from estimating into project management and accounting.
- Track estimated costs against awarded/projected costs when appropriate.
Project Development
- Identify and track new construction opportunities through customers, subcontractors, industry relationships, and bid platforms such as Dodge Construction Network.
- Review potential opportunities and determine alignment with Cultivate Construction’s capabilities.
- Maintain an organized pipeline of upcoming bid opportunities and deadlines.
- Communicate with owners, architects, engineers, subcontractors, suppliers, and prospective customers during project development.
- Assist with budgeting projects during early design and preconstruction.
- Help develop long-term relationships with customers and project partners.
- Participate in pre-bid meetings, site walks, and project-development meetings as needed.
Bid Management
- Maintain bid calendars and ensure estimating deadlines are met.
- Organize plans, specifications, addenda, subcontractor proposals, and other bid documentation.
- Distribute bid invitations and follow up with subcontractors and suppliers.
- Prepare complete bid packages and supporting documentation for submission.
- Maintain records of submitted bids, awarded projects, lost opportunities, and pending opportunities.
- Assist in transitioning awarded projects from estimating to operations/project management.
Required Skills & Qualifications
- Experience in construction estimating, preconstruction, project management, or a related construction role.
- Strong ability to read and interpret construction drawings and specifications.
- Experience performing construction quantity takeoffs.
- Understanding of construction materials, labor, equipment, subcontractor scopes, and sequencing.
- Strong mathematical and analytical skills.
- Highly organized with strong attention to detail.
- Ability to manage multiple estimates and deadlines simultaneously.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Comfortable communicating directly with subcontractors, suppliers, customers, architects, and engineers.
- Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word.
- Ability to create and maintain professional spreadsheets, cost sheets, bid comparisons, and project documentation.
- Experience with construction estimating/takeoff software is preferred.
- Experience with Dodge Construction Network or similar construction bid platforms is preferred.
Preferred Experience
- Commercial and industrial construction estimating.
- Civil/sitework, concrete, structural steel, utilities, and general construction.
- Government or public-sector bidding.
- Design-build and negotiated construction projects.
- Conceptual estimating and early-stage project budgeting.
- Subcontractor solicitation and bid leveling.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is more than someone who can simply perform takeoffs. We are looking for someone who can understand the entire project, identify what is missing, develop accurate costs, communicate with the market, and help turn opportunities into profitable projects.
This individual should be proactive, organized, accountable, and comfortable working in a fast-moving construction environment. As Cultivate Construction continues to grow, this position has the opportunity to become an important part of the company’s estimating, preconstruction, and business-development operation.
Pay: From $25.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Flexible schedule
- Paid time off
Experience:
- Construction estimating: 2 years (Required)
- Commercial construction: 3 years (Required)
Work Location: In person
