Commercial Estimator: Bids, Takeoffs & VE (Onsite)

Howard-Cdm-1; Bellflower (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

401(k) with Company Matching

Paid Time Off

Section 125 Plan and Flexible Spending

Wellness Reimbursement Plan

Job summary

Howard CDM, a Southern California-based commercial construction and development company, seeks an Estimator in Bellflower, CA. You will prepare accurate cost estimates from concept through documents, interpret drawings and specs, and support bid and preconstruction activities.

The ideal candidate has 5–7 years of estimating experience, a relevant degree, and strong knowledge of MEP and market pricing. This exempt, full-time role offers onsite work with competitive compensation.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of verifiable experience estimating commercial construction projects preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, Engineering, or a related field preferred.
• Strong ability to read and interpret construction drawings, specifications, details, project manuals, and other construction documents.
• Experience performing detailed quantity takeoffs and developing labor, material, and equipment estimates.
• Knowledge of conceptual estimating, hard bids, negotiated bids, budgets, general conditions, general requirements, and value engineering.
• Familiarity with conceptual and self-perform estimating.
• Strong understanding of construction means and methods.
• Working knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems.
• Understanding of subcontractor scopes, bid analysis, bid leveling, and subcontractor selection.
• Experience with commercial ground-up construction, retail, and multifamily projects preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepare cost estimates from preliminary information through completed construction documents.
• Review and interpret drawings, specs, addenda, manuals, and bid documents.
• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs for materials, labor, equipment, and other requirements.
• Develop labor and material pricing using current market rates and subcontractor input.
• Prepare estimates for preconstruction, hard bids, negotiated bids, budgets, and value-engineering.
• Maintain estimates using company estimating software and procedures.
• Develop scope sheets and control estimates for trades.
• Identify scope gaps, constructability concerns, and cost impacts.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Time management

Communication skills

Team player

Ability to read drawings

Education

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

Tools

Bluebeam

Microsoft Word

Excel

Outlook

Estimating software

Job description

Howard CDM, a Southern California-based commercial construction and development company, seeks an Estimator in Bellflower, CA. You will prepare accurate cost estimates from concept through documents, interpret drawings and specs, and support bid and preconstruction activities.

The ideal candidate has 5–7 years of estimating experience, a relevant degree, and strong knowledge of MEP and market pricing. This exempt, full-time role offers onsite work with competitive compensation.