Chief Estimator

Trueline; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 170,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Auto allowance

Phone allowance

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid travel expenses

Job summary

Trueline is seeking a Chief Estimator in Charlotte, NC to own estimating and preconstruction for projects across the Southeast. The role will eventually build and lead a local estimating team and establish scalable workflows for regional growth.

The position demands a seasoned GC estimator with a strong preconstruction background, the ability to read drawings and specs, and a willingness to travel within the Southeast. Onsite work in Charlotte is required.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of construction estimating/preconstruction experience.
• Strong GC background with focus on estimating and preconstruction.
• Ability to independently develop complete GC estimates and bids.
• Ability to read and interpret drawings, specs and docs.
• Willingness to travel occasionally in the Southeast.

Responsibilities

• Own estimating and preconstruction for Charlotte and Southeast projects.
• Develop conceptual estimates, budgets, GMPs and bids from design to docs.
• Lead and grow a Charlotte-based estimating team over time.
• Collaborate with PMs, field ops, ownership, and regional leadership.
• Establish workflows, standards, and estimating infrastructure for the Charlotte office.

Skills

Estimating leadership

GC estimating

Preconstruction

Budgeting

Reading drawings

Negotiation

Leadership

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelors in Construction Mgmt

Tools

Bluebeam

Job description

Chief Estimator

An established family-owned General Contractor with a growing Southeast operation, is seeking a Chief Estimator to join its Charlotte, NC team. This is a hands-on opportunity for an experienced GC estimator to take ownership of estimating and preconstruction in the region today, then build and lead a Charlotte-based estimating team as the business continues to expand.

What You'll Do as the Chief Estimator:

• Own estimating and preconstruction for projects throughout Charlotte and the broader Southeast
• Develop conceptual estimates, budgets, GMPs, and competitive bids from early design through final construction documents
• Perform and oversee quantity takeoffs, cost analysis, bid leveling, and scope development
• Review drawings and specifications to identify scope gaps, constructability concerns, and value-engineering opportunities
• Solicit, evaluate, level, and negotiate subcontractor and supplier proposals
• Maintain strong subcontractor coverage and current knowledge of Charlotte and Southeast market pricing
• Develop clear scopes, assumptions, exclusions, and clarifications
• Collaborate closely with Project Management, field operations, ownership, and regional leadership
• Participate in pre-bid meetings, site walks, and client meetings
• Build and maintain relationships with subcontractors, developers, owners, and other construction partners
• Support efforts to generate, estimate, and win additional work throughout the Southeast
• Operate independently while leveraging established estimating resources elsewhere in the organization when useful
• Establish estimating workflows, standards, and infrastructure for the Charlotte office
• Help improve estimating consistency, historical pricing, and preconstruction processes
• Recruit, develop, and eventually lead a Charlotte-based estimating team as the regional operation grows
• Help create a scalable estimating function that can support continued Southeast expansion

Must-Haves as the Chief Estimator:

• Approximately 10+ years of construction estimating or preconstruction experience
• Strong General Contractor background
• Career primarily focused on estimating and preconstruction
• Proven ability to independently develop complete GC estimates and bids
• Strong understanding of construction means and methods
• Strong knowledge of subcontractor trades, materials, sequencing, and market pricing
• Experience with conceptual estimating, budgeting, value engineering, and preconstruction
• Ability to read and interpret drawings, specifications, and construction documents
• Experience soliciting, leveling, and negotiating subcontractor proposals
• Ability to work independently without significant day-to-day oversight
• Strong communication, organization, and analytical skills
• Leadership ability and interest in eventually building and managing an estimating team
• Ability to work onsite five days per week in Charlotte
• Willingness to travel occasionally throughout the Southeast

Nice-to-Haves as the Chief Estimator:

• Charlotte-area estimating experience
• Established Charlotte or Southeast subcontractor relationships
• Existing developer, owner, or client relationships
• Ground-up commercial construction experience
• Retail construction experience
• Multifamily construction experience
• Industrial construction experience
• Institutional construction experience
• Experience estimating projects in the $5 million-$50 million+ range
• Experience building or improving estimating systems and processes
• Experience mentoring or developing estimators
• Prior Lead Estimator, Estimating Manager, or Preconstruction Manager experience
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a related field
• Bluebeam experience

The Company Offers:

• Target base salary of approximately $170,000-$190,000
• Potential flexibility toward $200,000 for an exceptional candidate
• Annual performance and company bonus opportunity
• Bonus has historically ranged approximately $10,000-$25,000 depending on company and individual performance
• Auto allowance
• Phone allowance
• Medical insurance with approximately 65% of premium paid by the company
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Employer-paid disability insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid business travel expenses
• Significant autonomy
• Limited micromanagement
• Direct visibility with ownership and senior leadership
• Opportunity to become the primary estimating leader for the Southeast operation
• Opportunity to build a future Charlotte estimating team of approximately 3-5 people
• Long-term regional or Director-level leadership potential
• Established and growing Southeast business
• Close-knit environment compared with larger national contractors
• Manageable workload and emphasis on work-life balance
• Opportunity to directly influence regional growth and revenue