Assistant Estimator / Takeoff Technician

Platinum Landscape Inc; Indio (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Platinum Landscape, Inc. is seeking an Assistant Estimator / Takeoff Technician to support estimating and preconstruction for landscape construction projects across Southern California.

The role focuses on quantity takeoffs, RFQs, pricing, bid organization, and documenting estimates. The ideal candidate is organized, comfortable with plans and numbers, and eager to learn how bids progress from initial bid to award, field rollout, and closeout.

Qualifications

• Strong attention to detail and math skills.
• Comfortable reading construction plans and specs.
• Proficient with Excel and estimating spreadsheets.
• Experience with takeoffs in landscape/irrigation is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs from landscape and irrigation plans.
• Quantify plant material, irrigation components, rock, mulch, soil amendments, and site furnishings.
• Review plans and addenda for takeoff information.
• Prepare pricing worksheets and organize bid documents.
• Maintain organized estimating files and bid trackers.

Skills

Attention to detail

Analytical skills

Excel proficiency

Plan reading

Time management

Communication

Independent work

Multi-tasking

Tools

On-Screen Takeoff

Bluebeam

PlanSwift

Job description

Full-Time | In-Person

Platinum Landscape, Inc. is seeking an Assistant Estimator / Takeoff Technician to support our estimating and preconstruction efforts for landscape construction projects throughout Southern California.

This is a hands-on position focused on quantity takeoffs, RFQs, vendor and subcontractor pricing, bid organization, estimating files, and project documentation.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, comfortable working with plans and numbers, and interested in learning how landscape construction projects move from initial bid through award, field rollout, and closeout.

Primary Responsibilities

Quantity Takeoffs & Estimating Support

• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs from landscape and irrigation construction plans.
• Quantify plant material, irrigation components, rock, mulch, DG, soil amendments, site furnishings, and other project-specific materials and scopes.
• Review plans, specifications, details, and addenda for information affecting assigned takeoffs.
• Update takeoffs as plans and project requirements change.
• Assist the estimator with bid comparisons, pricing worksheets, scope sheets, and proposal preparation.
• Maintain organized takeoff files and supporting documentation for each estimate.

RFQs & Quote Management

• Identify materials and scopes requiring outside pricing.
• Prepare and distribute RFQs to vendors and subcontractors.
• Provide vendors with the appropriate plans, specifications, quantities, and bid information.
• Follow up on outstanding RFQs ahead of bid deadlines.
• Receive, organize, and review quotes for basic completeness.
• Maintain vendor contacts, historical quotes, and current pricing information.
• Set up and maintain electronic bid and project folders.
• Keep estimating files organized and current throughout the bidding process.
• Maintain bid trackers, RFQ logs, quote files, takeoff records, and other estimating spreadsheets.
• Track plan revisions and addenda and make sure affected estimating documents are updated.
• Maintain a clear record of the information, assumptions, quantities, and pricing used to build each estimate.

Award, Field Rollout & Project Support

Our estimating involvement does not necessarily end when a project is awarded.

Responsibilities may include:

• Preparing and organizing turnover documentation.
• Maintaining the final estimate, takeoffs, proposals, quotes, exclusions, assumptions, and supporting documents.
• Helping prepare quantity and material information needed for purchasing and field planning.
• Providing supporting documentation when questions arise during construction.
• Researching the original estimate, plans, quotes, or quantities when field personnel need clarification.
• Maintaining project records as revisions and changes occur.
• Assisting with documentation and quantity research needed for change orders or additional work.
• Helping assemble estimating-related information required during project closeout.

The goal is to maintain a clean, accessible record from bid through closeout so we can quickly understand what was estimated, what was included, where quantities came from, and how the project was originally priced.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who is organized, accurate, dependable, and comfortable working independently on detailed assignments.

You should be able to receive an assignment, understand what information is needed, complete the work accurately, and communicate when something doesn't look right.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Strong attention to detail.
• Good math and analytical skills.
• Strong computer and file-management skills.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to read construction plans or a strong willingness to learn.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines.
• Professional communication skills when working with vendors, subcontractors, office staff, and field personnel.
• Willingness to follow established processes while also identifying missing or conflicting information.
• Interest in learning landscape construction, irrigation, estimating, and construction operations.
• Experience with On-Screen Takeoff, Bluebeam, PlanSwift, Excel, landscape construction, irrigation, purchasing, or construction estimating is a plus.
• Landscape experience is helpful but not required for the right candidate.

What Success Looks Like

A successful person in this position makes the estimating process faster, cleaner, and more reliable.

When you're assigned a scope, you can:

Take it off. Get it quoted. Organize the information. Keep the files current. Flag anything unusual. Get it back on time.

When we win the job, that information doesn't disappear into an old bid folder. It becomes an organized project record that we can rely on during field rollout, construction, and closeout.

For someone who wants to grow, this position also provides exposure to the complete construction process-from plans and estimating through field production and project completion.

About Platinum Landscape

Platinum Landscape is a Southern California landscape contractor performing production residential, commercial, and public works landscape construction.

Our work includes landscape, irrigation, and related site improvements for homebuilders, developers, general contractors, and public agencies throughout Southern California.

We're looking for someone who wants to learn the business, take ownership of their responsibilities, and become a valuable part of a growing estimating and operations team.