Commercial Construction Estimator

ZipRecruiter; Farmington Hills (MI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading real estate investment firm in Farmington Hills seeks a detail-oriented Senior Estimator. This role involves leading estimating efforts for various projects, collaborating with development teams, and performing detailed cost analyses. The ideal candidate has over 8 years of experience and strong technical knowledge in construction.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in commercial construction estimating.
• Strong background in conceptual and early-phase budgeting.
• Ability to assemble and manage multiple budgets/estimates.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of conceptual and schematic estimates.
• Collaborate with development team on site planning.
• Perform detailed quantity take-offs and pricing.

Skills

Commercial construction estimating

Collaborative communication

Detail-oriented management

Cost analysis

Proficiency in Excel

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field

Tools

Excel

Bluebeam

On-Screen Takeoff

Job description

We are seeking an experienced and driven Senior Estimator to join our growing team in Farmington Hills. This role is central to our preconstruction efforts and will work closely with both our development and construction departments to prepare accurate conceptual budgets and estimates from the earliest stages of a project. The ideal candidate is proactive, detail-oriented, and excels at seeing the big picture while managing the details.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of conceptual and schematic estimates for ground-up and tenant improvement projects
• Collaborate with the development team to guide site planning and pro forma inputs with accurate cost data
• Perform detailed quantity take-offs and pricing based on preliminary plans or design narratives
• Solicit subcontractor pricing and evaluate scope coverage for all trades
• Provide cost analysis, risk assessments, and value engineering recommendations
• Support preconstruction team efforts including bid packaging, timelines, and proposal development
• Stay current on market trends, code updates, and material/labor costs across Michigan
• Help mentor junior project team members as needed

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in commercial construction estimating, with a strong background in conceptual and early-phase budgeting
• Demonstrated experience in both development-driven and third-party general contracting environments
• Strong technical knowledge of construction materials, systems, and sequencing
• Proficiency in estimating tools such as Excel, Bluebeam, and On-Screen Takeoff
• Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate across internal and external teams
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field.
• Ability to assemble and manage multiple budgets/estimates at once

Company Description Hillside Investments is a leading full service real estate investment firm with a diverse portfolio of properties and a strong commitment to strategic growth. We specialize in identifying and capitalizing on lucrative real estate opportunities across commercial and mixed-use sectors. We are looking for a detail-oriented, results-driven Associate Project Manager to join our dynamic team and support our investment strategies.