Construction Estimator

Drake International; Kingston; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus program

Generous RRSP program

Paid vacation that increases with-ten

Flexible and productivity-focused work

Long-term career growth opportunities

Job summary

Drake International, an established residential developer, seeks a Construction Estimator / Preconstruction Specialist in Kingston, Ontario to help drive smarter project decisions from the earliest stages of development.

You will work with company leadership to assess feasibility, manage supplier relationships, support procurement strategy, and provide the cost intelligence needed to make sound business decisions before construction begins.

Qualifications

• Experience preparing estimates, budgets or project cost forecasts.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills.
• Commercial awareness and sound judgment.
• Proactive, solutions-oriented mindset.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with teams.

Responsibilities

• Prepare conceptual budgets and early-stage cost estimates for residential developments.
• Evaluate project feasibility and identify risks before construction starts.
• Analyze material pricing trends, market conditions, lead times and supply chain impacts.
• Build and maintain relationships with suppliers, subcontractors and vendors.
• Support procurement planning and supplier negotiations.
• Develop contingencies and forecasting models to improve project certainty.
• Assist leadership with development costing, budgeting and go/no-go decisions.
• Provide insight into schedule impacts, cash flow considerations and cost risks.
• Collaborate with construction, procurement and leadership teams.
• Support continuous improvement of estimating and preconstruction processes.

Skills

Estimating & budgeting

Negotiation & communication

Independent yet collaborative

Commercial awareness

Problem solving

Job description

An established residential developer and builder is seeking a Construction Estimator / Preconstruction Specialist to help drive smarter project decisions from the earliest stages of development.

This is a unique opportunity for a construction professional who enjoys more than just takeoffs and pricing.

You’ll work closely with company leadership to assess project feasibility, manage supplier relationships, support procurement strategy, and provide the cost intelligence needed to make sound business decisions before construction begins.

If you enjoy solving problems, building relationships, and influencing project outcomes, this role offers the chance to make a meaningful impact.

What You’ll Do

• Prepare conceptual budgets and early-stage cost estimates for residential developments.
• Evaluate project feasibility and identify potential risks before construction starts.
• Analyze material pricing trends, market conditions, lead times, and supply chain impacts.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, subcontractors, and vendors.
• Support procurement planning and supplier negotiations.
• Develop contingencies and forecasting models to improve project certainty.
• Assist leadership with development costing, budgeting, and go/no-go project decisions.
• Provide insight into schedule impacts, cash flow considerations, and cost risks.
• Work collaboratively with construction, procurement, and leadership teams.
• Support continuous improvement of estimating and preconstruction processes.

What We’re Looking For

We’re open to candidates from a variety of backgrounds, including:

• Residential Construction
• Preconstruction
• Procurement
• Development Costing
• Project Coordination
• Construction Operations

Successful candidates will typically possess:

• Experience preparing estimates, budgets, or project cost forecasts.
• Strong understanding of residential construction methods and pricing.
• Well-developed supplier and subcontractor relationships in the Loyalist region.
• Ability to evaluate project feasibility and business risk.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills.
• Commercial awareness and sound judgment.
• A proactive, solutions-oriented mindset.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with others.

Ideal Experience

Experience in one or more of the following areas would be considered an asset:

• Residential homebuilding
• Land development
• Procurement and sourcing
• Material purchasing
• Cost planning
• Feasibility analysis
• Construction operations

Who Will Thrive Here

The strongest candidates are typically:

• Curious and analytical.
• Relationship-focused.
• Practical and down-to-earth.
• Comfortable working directly with leadership.
• Able to make decisions with incomplete information.
• Interested in the business side of construction, not just the technical side.
• Looking for a long-term opportunity with room to influence and grow.
• Performance bonus program
• Generous RRSP program
• Paid vacation that increases with tenure
• Flexible and productivity-focused work environment
• Long-term career growth opportunities

Since 1951, Drake International has connected people with meaningful work across Canada and globally. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, inclusion and accessibility. Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process. For accommodation requests, contact your Branch Representative at 613-542-3790

This hiring process may use AI‑enabled tools to support.