Estimator

Chandos; Calgary; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages

Benefits program

RRSP matching

Educational assistance

Leadership conferences

Employee ownership

Job summary

Chandos in Calgary, Alberta, is seeking an experienced Estimator to lead complete building estimates for ICI projects and support collaborative project delivery. The role focuses on cost certainty from concept through tender on site, with a strong emphasis on IPD principles and stakeholder collaboration.

The successful candidate will manage bid strategies, take-offs, value engineering, and cost reporting while partnering with operations, procurement, and design teams to drive efficient outcomes.

Qualifications

• Lead complete building estimates from concept through submission.
• Experience with ICI projects and commercial general contractor.
• Strong Excel and estimating software proficiency.
• Ability to present cost information clearly and influence decisions.
• Post-secondary degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Determine bid strategies to win projects.
• Coordinate full-cost estimates for all project phases.
• Lead estimating workshops for cost alignment.
• Perform material, labour, and subcontractor take-offs.
• Track costs vs. actuals and report variances.
• Foster relationships with subtrades, suppliers, and clients.

Skills

Estimating

Leadership

Communication

Excel

Cost analysis

Negotiation

Education

Construction Management degree

Tools

Estimating software

Project scheduling tools

Job description

Our vision is to emerge as Canada’s premier technical builder, distinguished by our relentless pursuit ofinnovation,collaboration, andsustainabilityin all that we do.

We are100 per cent employee-owned, and our success is driven by our employee owners. We prioritize people, purpose, and performance in all that we do. When the company thrives,you benefit directly. When everyone is invested - literally - it builds a community of accountability, pride and mutual support.

We look for team members who aregritty,accountable, anddriven -with amindset rooted in initiative and purpose, you think like anentrepreneurand build strong, trusting relationships through clear communication and thoughtful dialogue, even in challenging conversations.

Job Description

We are seeking anEstimatorwith a passion forcollaborative delivery modelsto join our team. You’ll be at the heart of collaborative, multi‑stakeholder projects, delivering cost certainty and value from project conception through to construction start on site.

We’ll join a company that`s pioneering the collaborative superstar: Integrative Project Delivery (IPD) in Canada, with projects that truly move the needle on collaboration and innovation in construction.

• Effectively determine the bid strategies required for Chandos to be successful
• Prepare and coordinatefull‑cost estimates for full scope of work, for all project phases, concept to tender, with a focus on collaborative methodology
• Leadestimating workshops to align costs with project goals and foster transparent decision‑making
• Perform detailedmaterial, labour, equipment, and subcontractor take‑offs
• Establish and maintainunit costs, labour rates, escalation, and contingency allowances
• Solicit competitive bids, negotiate with subcontractors/suppliers, and conduct value‑engineering reviews
• Provideconstructability adviceduring pre‑construction, coordinating with operations teams on procurement, schedule, and logistics
• Track estimated vs. actual costs, report variances, and support lessons learned for continuous improvement
• Build and maintain exceptionally strong relationships with subtrades, consultants, suppliers, and all of our valued clients

Qualifications

This role is best suited to an estimator who has independently carried responsibility for complete building estimates. Candidates must have been the lead or sole estimator responsible for full project estimates from concept through submission, with accountability for all scopes, trade pricing, bid strategy, risk review, and final submission. Experience focused primarily on a single trade, discipline, quantity takeoffs, or estimating support functions is not sufficient.

• Minimum 5+ years of estimating experience with a commercial general contractor (not a self-performing contractor or developer).
• Proven experience leading complete building estimates from concept through submission for ICI projects.
• Strong understanding of all major building systems and construction scopes, including site works, structural, architectural, mechanical, and electrical.
• Able to clearly present complex cost information and influence project and business decisions.
• Post-secondary degree or diploma in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field.
• Strong organizational, prioritization, and process discipline with advanced proficiency in Excel and estimating software.
• Able to thrive under tight deadlines while managing multiple pursuits simultaneously.
• Proficient in interpreting drawings, specifications, construction methodologies, and cost models.
• Collaborative approach with the ability to build consensus among diverse project stakeholders.
• Confident communicator who can present and defend estimates, assumptions, and recommendations.
• Strong understanding of market conditions, subcontractor markets, procurement strategies, and construction cost drivers.

Additional Information

Chandos is an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture and this includes our recruitment and hiring process.

We recognize that our differences are our greatest strengths. We uncover talent. We nurture talent. And then we give people the tools they need to use their talent to create a positive impact.

• We are 100% employee owned. Every person who works for Chandos can become an owner. There is onlyone classof units at Chandos, because we believe everyone should betreated equal. We talk about being anentrepreneurial-mindedorganization and you can be sure we mean it!
• Competitive wages
• Well roundedemployer paid benefits programincluding health, dental, vision care and employee assistance program
• RRSP matching programto aid and prepare employees for long-term financial security
• Educational assistancefor employees who wish to pursue job-performance enhancing education
• Recognition and annual salary reviews program
• Leadership conferencesthat allow employees to connect and collaborate

Vacancy Status

We are actively recruiting for this position.

AI Disclosure Statement: Chandos is committed to transparent recruitment. Our internal team does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to screen, assess, or select applicants, although we do use AI tools for administrative interview transcription and AI tools may be integrated or embedded in third-party platforms and software. Some of Chandos' external staffing partners may use AI to screen, assess, or select candidates during their initial workflows. All final hiring decisions at Chandos are made personally by our hiring team.

Compensation Transparency

This position also includes a competitive bonus program. Throughout the interview process, we’ll discuss your background to determine the best alignment for your experience level.

The base salary range for this role is listed above and may vary based on your experience.