Intermediate Estimator

Chandos Construction; Calgary; On-site; CAD 107,000 - 122,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee ownership

Health, dental, vision care benefits

RRSP matching program

Educational assistance for employees

Recognition and annual salary reviews

Job summary

Chandos Construction is seeking a Senior Estimator in Calgary, Alberta, to join their dynamic team. This role is pivotal in collaborative project delivery, ensuring cost certainty from conception to construction.

The ideal candidate should have over 10 years of experience in commercial construction estimating, preferably within the ICI, residential, and healthcare sectors. The company offers competitive wages, a comprehensive benefits program, and a unique employee ownership model.

Qualifications

• Ten or more years of experience in commercial construction estimating.
• Minimum of 5 years estimating for a general contractor.
• Experience in ICI, residential, recreational, healthcare sectors.

Responsibilities

• Determine bid strategies for Chandos' success.
• Prepare full-cost estimates for all project phases.
• Lead estimating workshops for transparent decision-making.

Skills

Commercial construction estimating

Analytical skills

Collaborative skills

Cost data presentation

Advanced Excel proficiency

Education

Post-secondary degree/diploma in construction/engineering

CEC designation (CIQS)

PQS designation

Tools

Cost-estimating software

Job description

Company Description

We are Chandos. We exist to build a better world. Our vision is to emerge as Canada’s premier technical builder, distinguished by our relentless pursuit of innovation, collaboration, and sustainability in all that we do. We are 100 percent 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 are gritty, accountable, and driven – with a mindset rooted in initiative and purpose. You think like an entrepreneur and build strong, trusting relationships through clear communication and thoughtful dialogue, even in challenging conversations.

Job Description

We are seeking a Senior Estimator with a passion for collaborative delivery models to 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.

You’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.

Project sectors: ICI (Industrial, Commercial, Institutional), residential, recreation centres, and healthcare or ideally long‑term care.

• Effectively determine the bid strategies required for Chandos to be successful
• Prepare and coordinate full‑cost estimates for all project phases, concept to tender, with a focus on collaborative methodology
• Lead estimating workshops to align costs with project goals and foster transparent decision‑making
• Perform detailed material, labour, equipment, and subcontractor take‑offs
• Establish and maintain unit costs, labour rates, escalation, and contingency allowances
• Solicit competitive bids, negotiate with subcontractors/suppliers, and conduct value‑engineering reviews
• Provide constructability advice during 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

• Ten or more years of experience in commercial construction estimating
• Minimum of 5 years of experience estimating for a general contractor not self performing developer
• ICI, residential, recreational, healthcare experience
• Able to clearly present complex cost data and influence decisions
• Post‑secondary degree or diploma in construction/engineering or an appropriate field
• CEC designation (CIQS); Preferred: PQS designation
• Strong organizational, prioritization, and process discipline; advanced Excel and cost‑estimating software proficiency
• Organized & Detail‑Oriented: thrives under tight deadlines, balancing multiple priorities
• Analytical & Technically Strong: proficient in reading drawings/specs and in cost modelling
• Collaborative: excels in consensus‑building within diverse project teams
• Communicative: confident in presenting and defending cost recommendations
• Industry‑Savvy: understands market conditions, supply chains, and sector‑specific complexities

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 only one class of units at Chandos, because we believe everyone should be treated equal. We talk about being an entrepreneurial‑minded organization and you can be sure we mean it!
• Competitive wages
• Well rounded employer paid benefits program including health, dental, vision care and employee assistance program
• RRSP matching program to aid and prepare employees for long‑term financial security
• Educational assistance for employees who wish to pursue job‑performance enhancing education
• Recognition and annual salary reviews program
• Leadership conferences that allow employees to connect and collaborate
• Regular company‑wide engagement opportunities

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

Expected salary band for this role is (depending on experience): $107,000 to $122,000. The base salary range for this role is listed above and may vary based on your experience. 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.