Commercial Construction Estimator

Kennedy Richter Construction, LLC; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Kennedy Richter Construction, LLC is seeking a Commercial Construction Estimator to join the Preconstruction team. You will drive the estimating process for HOA multi-family and commercial projects—from ground-up developments to tenant improvements and restoration.

Responsibilities include site walks, plan reviews, quantity take-offs, and cost modeling, serving as the primary liaison with clients and trade partners.

Qualifications

• 3+ years experience in commercial construction estimating (ground-up, renovations, tenant improvements, or restoration).
• Deep understanding of commercial building codes, structural systems, materials, and CSI MasterFormat divisions.
• Hands-on experience with commercial estimating software (Bluebeam, PlanSwift, Procore, or Excel cost-modeling tools).
• Ability to read and interpret commercial architectural prints, structural drawings, engineering reports, and specs.
• Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills for interfacing with clients, developers, architects, and trade partners.

Responsibilities

• Analyze project drawings, specs, engineering reports, and tests to master project scopes.
• Perform quantity take-offs across divisions for scopes of work.
• Evaluate self-perform capabilities vs. specialized trade partners.
• Collaborate with Operations to establish productivity rates and review estimates with management.
• Develop ROM/conceptual estimates for HOA and commercial planning or feasibility studies.
• Lead turnover meetings presenting full estimate breakdowns, risks, and scope specifics.
• Track time spent on estimating tasks per project.

Skills

Experience in commercial estimating

Commercial building codes knowledge

PlanSwift/Bluebeam/Procore proficiency

Reading prints and specs

Communication with clients and trade-?

Tools

Bluebeam

PlanSwift

Procore

Excel cost-modeling

Job description

Job Type: Full-Time

Department: Preconstruction

Role Summary

We are seeking a detail-oriented and collaborative Commercial Construction Estimator to join our Preconstruction team. In this role, you will drive the estimating process for HOA Multi- Family and Commercial projects—ranging from ground-up developments and tenant improvements to commercial repairs and restoration—from initial bid invitation through project turnover.

You will be responsible for conducting site walks, reviewing commercial architectural and engineering plans, performing detailed quantity take-offs, building comprehensive cost models, and developing site logistics and preliminary schedules. As the primary preconstruction liaison, you will connect Business Development, Operations, commercial design consultants, sub-trades, and clients.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Experience: 3+ years of experience in commercial construction estimating (ground-up, commercial renovations, tenant improvements, or commercial restoration).
• Technical Knowledge: Deep understanding of commercial building codes, structural systems, materials, and CSI MasterFormat divisions.
• Software Proficiency: Hands-on experience with commercial estimating software (e.g., Bluebeam, PlanSwift, Procore, or Excel cost-modeling tools).
• Document Analysis: Proven ability to read and interpret commercial architectural prints, structural drawings, engineering reports, and specifications.
• Communication: Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills for interfacing with commercial clients, developers, architects, and trade partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Document Review: Thoroughly analyze project drawings, specifications, structural engineering reports, deficiency assessments, and destructive testing data to master project scopes.
• Quantity Take-Offs: Perform granular, accurate quantity take-offs across all divisions for scopes of work.
• Scope Breakdown: Evaluate self-perform capabilities versus scopes requiring specialized trade partners.
• Production & Review: Collaborate with Operations to establish accurate productivity rates for self-perform work; review finalized estimates with Operations and Management.
• Specialized Estimates: Develop Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) and conceptual estimates for HOA and commercial litigation, early-stage planning, or feasibility studies.
• Project Turnover: Lead official turnover meetings with the construction team, presenting full estimate breakdowns, risks, and scope specifics.
• Time Tracking: Track and log time spent on estimating tasks per project.

Logistics & Scheduling

• Site Logistics: Partner with Operations to map out site access, staging, crane placement, traffic control, and tenant/building coordination for job sites.
• Preliminary Schedules: Collaborate with Operations to construct realistic preliminary construction schedules for pricing models.
• Trade Partner Alignment: Distribute preliminary schedules and site logistics plans to commercial trade partners to ensure aligned pricing and operational feasibility.

Site Visits & Data Gathering

• Pre-Bid Meetings: Attend all commercial pre-bid conferences, job walks, and site investigations.
• Site Documentation: Accurately document existing field conditions through detailed notes, measurements, and photo documentation.
• Scope Definition: Work alongside engineering teams, consultants, and destructive testing crews to define precise commercial scopes of work.
• Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong ongoing relationships with subcontractors and vendors.
• Database Expansion: Help build and maintain a complete database of approved trade partners.
• Bid Solicitations: Coordinate the distribution of project/bid documents to all trade partners and vendors.

Client & Stakeholder Collaboration

• Primary Contact: Act as the main point of contact during the preconstruction phase for all project stakeholders.
• Cross-Department Liaison: Serve as the central liaison between Business Development, Operations, design consultants, and clients.
• Client Presentations: Prepare presentation materials and actively present project estimates during post-bid interviews and client meetings.

Document Control & Product Research

• File Management: Maintain organized project files and systematically archive all estimate spreadsheets, subcontractor bids, and vendor quotations per company standards.
• Material & Product Research: Research specified materials, assemblies, and products, compiling product data sheets into designated project folders.