Senior Estimator

Chandos; Kelowna; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee ownership

Competitive wages

Benefits program

RRSP matching

Educational assistance

Salary reviews

Leadership conferences

Health, dental, vision care

Job summary

Chandos in Canada seeks a Senior Estimator to join our IPD-driven team, delivering cost certainty from concept through construction. You’ll lead full-cost estimates for commercial, institutional, recreation centers and healthcare projects, run workshops, perform take-offs, and negotiate with subcontractors. We offer ownership benefits and a supportive growth path.

Qualifications

• Eight or more years of experience in commercial construction estimating.
• Minimum of 5 years estimating for a general contractor not self performing developer.
• Able to clearly present complex cost data and influence decisions.
• Post-secondary degree or diploma in construction/engineering or an appropriate field.
• Strong organizational, prioritization, and process discipline; advanced Excel and cost-estimating software proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Determine bid strategies to position Chandos for success.
• Prepare and coordinate full-cost estimates for all project phases.
• Lead estimating workshops to align costs with project goals.
• Perform detailed material, labour, equipment, and subcontractor take-offs.
• Establish and maintain unit costs, labour rates, escalation and contingencies.
• Solicit bids, negotiate with subcontractors and conduct value-engineering reviews.
• Provide constructability advice during pre-construction with procurement/schedule/logistics.
• Track estimated vs. actual costs, report variances, capture lessons learned.
• Build strong relationships with subtrades, consultants, suppliers, and clients.

Skills

Estimating expertise

Cost data presentation

Communication

Collaboration

Analytical thinking

Education

Construction/Engineering degree

Tools

Excel

Cost-estimating software

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 an Senior Estimatorwith 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.

You’ll join a company that’spioneering 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 (Commercial, Institutional), recreation centres, and healthcare or ideally long‑term care.

• Effectively determine the bid strategies required for Chandos to be successful


• Prepare and coordinatefull‑cost estimatesfor 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

• Eight or more years of experience in commercial construction estimating


• Minimum of 5 years of experience estimating for a general contractor not self performing developer


• Able to clearly present complex cost data and influence decisions


• Post-secondary degree or diploma in construction/engineering or an appropriate field


• Strong organizational, prioritization, and process discipline; advanced Excel and cost-estimating software proficiency


• 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 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:

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.