Senior Estimator — Ames Construction
Ephrata, PA | Full-Time
Own the Numbers Behind Projects That Win
Established in 1974, Ames Construction is a full-service commercial construction company headquartered in Lancaster County, PA, serving south-central and eastern Pennsylvania, northern Maryland, Delaware, and south Jersey. Our reputation is built on delivering projects on-time and on-budget — and on the average 27+ years of construction experience across our in-house team of executives, project managers, and superintendents. That experience is the key to our superior value engineering, seamless coordination, and the results our clients demand.
We're looking for a Senior Estimator to prepare detailed, accurate cost estimates for commercial construction projects — from schematic budgets built on limited documentation to fully priced final construction documents. If you can visualize a project before the drawings are complete, build a number that wins work and holds up in the field, and present it with confidence to owners and architects, we'd love to meet you.
What You'll Do
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Review drawings and specifications to determine quantities and calculate pricing for various trades and materials
- Develop accurate budgets for assigned portions of preconstruction projects, from schematic through final construction documents
- Budget work conceptually when not all documentation is available, using experience and visualization to plan and estimate project costs
- Perform detailed take-offs for self-performed work in a variety of construction types
- Price work for most trades as required, ensuring accurate estimates for all components of the project
- Prepare and price self-performed work for assigned trades, providing complete and accurate estimates
- Engage in value engineering and constructability reviews, developing presentations to communicate findings and suggestions for improvement
- Evaluate project scopes and suggest potential alternatives that could increase project profitability or improve efficiency
- Develop and implement strategies to pursue, estimate, and win competitive bids
- Attend pre-bid meetings and site visits to assess site conditions and the status of existing buildings, ensuring thorough understanding of project requirements
- Solicit, receive, and review bids for completeness, including scope of work and pricing, ensuring all aspects are accurately represented
- Communicate with bidders to finalize bids and ensure completeness prior to inclusion in estimates or proposals
- Present estimates and portions of estimates to internal teams, external owners, and architects, ensuring clarity and accuracy
- Attend presentations with owners and architects to communicate estimates and answer questions related to project costs
- Participate in kick-off meetings with estimators, project managers, and superintendents to ensure alignment on project goals and scopes
- Perform other duties as assigned
What We're Looking For
- 5+ years of experience in estimating commercial construction projects
- Strong knowledge of construction materials, methods, and industry standards
- Proficiency in estimating software
- Excellent attention to detail and ability to work under tight deadlines
- Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Leadership experience and ability to work in a team-oriented environment
- Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or related field preferred
Why Ames Construction?
For more than 50 years, we've earned the trust of clients across the region by exceeding expectations — and that starts with getting the numbers right. As a Senior Estimator, you'll have a real seat at the table, working directly with owners, architects, and project leadership from concept through completion, with the autonomy to shape pursuit strategy and the backing of a deeply experienced team. As part of the Ames family of companies, alongside Ames Mechanical and Eby Exteriors, we offer the stability of a well-established firm with deep roots in the Lancaster community.
Ready to bring your estimating expertise to a team that's been trusted since 1974?
