Commercial Estimator — Overhead Doors, Automatic Doors & Gates

Orion Placement; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Signing or relocation bonus

Commission on gross margin revenue

Health insurance

Retirement plan with 3% company match

Dental and vision

Job summary

Confidential Employer in San Diego, CA, is seeking a senior commercial estimator to own the estimating function from bid intake to turnover. You will review plans, determine scope, obtain vendor pricing, and build cost estimates for doors and gates systems.

You will implement repeatable processes, manage bids, collaborate with contractors and vendors, and enjoy a commission on margins along with a $10,000 signing or relocation bonus. This on-site role offers growth within a growing team.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of commercial estimating experience required.
• 10+ years preferred.
• Direct overhead door estimating experience in the commercial door/gate industry is required.
• Ability to read commercial plans, specs, schedules, addenda, and bid documents.
• Experience obtaining vendor pricing and developing labor and material estimates.
• Strong understanding of risk, exclusions and proposal preparation.

Responsibilities

• Own commercial estimating from bid intake through proposal, award, and project handoff.
• Review plans, specifications, schedules, addenda, RFIs, and bid documents to identify the complete project scope.
• Perform takeoffs and estimate sectional overhead doors, rolling steel and coiling doors, fire‑rated doors, security shutters, high‑speed doors, dock equipment, operators, and related systems.
• Obtain manufacturer and vendor pricing and build accurate labor and material costs.
• Prepare complete commercial proposals with clear inclusions, exclusions, clarifications, and work-by-others language.
• Identify estimating risks, scope gaps, specification conflicts, and potential cost exposure before bids are submitted.
• Manage multiple active bids, deadlines, and follow‑up activities through award.
• Work directly with general contractors, builders, facility managers, manufacturers, and vendors.
• Support vendor negotiations and project buyout while protecting estimated margins.
• Create repeatable estimating processes, bid calendars, pricing databases, labor‑hour standards, and proposal templates.
• Partner with Project Management during turnover and compare actual project costs against estimates to improve future pricing.

Skills

Commercial estimating

Bid management

Reading plans & specs

Vendor pricing

Estimating software

Tools

Estimating software

Spreadsheets

Digital takeoff tools

Job description

Pay: $60,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year

Why This Is a Great Opportunity

• Take ownership of a growing commercial estimating function and help shape how the department operates.
• Receive a $10,000 signing or relocation bonus.
• Earn 5% commission on gross margin revenue in addition to base compensation.
• Build estimating systems, pricing databases, proposal standards, and processes that directly influence company growth.
• Work with a broad mix of commercial overhead doors, automatic doors, loading dock equipment, vehicle gates, pedestrian gates, and access-control systems.
• Join a stable, established organization investing in the continued growth and modernization of its commercial division.
• Enjoy health insurance, retirement plan with 3% company match, and dental and vision options.
• Step into a role with long‑term leadership potential as the estimating function expands.

Location: On-site in San Diego, California. We are looking for someone who wants to work locally and collaborate closely with our commercial team. Candidates outside the area are welcome to apply, and a $10,000 relocation or signing bonus is available to help make the move.

Note: Direct commercial overhead door estimating experience is required. This is not a general construction estimating position. Candidates must already understand commercial overhead doors and gates, be comfortable developing complete estimates from plans and specifications, and have 5+ years of relevant commercial estimating experience.

About Us

We are an established specialty contractor serving commercial customers with door, gate, access, and related building solutions. Our commercial operation is growing, and we are investing in the people and systems needed to support that growth. You will have the opportunity to make an immediate impact, improve processes, and help build a stronger estimating function. Confidential Employer.

Job Description

• Own commercial estimating from bid intake through proposal, award, and project handoff.
• Review plans, specifications, schedules, addenda, RFIs, and bid documents to identify the complete project scope.
• Perform takeoffs and estimate sectional overhead doors, rolling steel and coiling doors, fire‑rated doors, security shutters, high‑speed doors, dock equipment, automatic pedestrian doors, storefront systems, vehicle gates, pedestrian gates, operators, and related safety systems.
• Obtain manufacturer and vendor pricing and build accurate labor and material costs.
• Prepare complete commercial proposals with clear inclusions, exclusions, clarifications, and work-by-others language.
• Identify estimating risks, scope gaps, specification conflicts, and potential cost exposure before bids are submitted.
• Manage multiple active bids, deadlines, and follow‑up activities through award.
• Work directly with general contractors, builders, facility managers, manufacturers, and vendors.
• Support vendor negotiations and project buyout while protecting estimated margins.
• Create repeatable estimating processes, bid calendars, pricing databases, labor‑hour standards, and proposal templates.
• Partner with Project Management during turnover and compare actual project costs against estimates to improve future pricing.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of commercial estimating experience required; 10+ years preferred.
• Direct overhead door estimating experience in the commercial door, gate, or access‑control industry required.
• Strong working knowledge of commercial overhead doors and vehicle and pedestrian gates.
• Experience with automatic doors, rolling steel doors, fire doors, dock equipment, operators, or related systems strongly preferred.
• Ability to read commercial plans, specifications, schedules, addenda, and bid documents.
• Experience obtaining manufacturer and vendor pricing and developing complete labor and material estimates.
• Strong understanding of commercial scopes, exclusions, risk identification, and proposal preparation.
• Ability to manage multiple active bids and follow opportunities through award.
• Comfortable using estimating software, spreadsheets, and digital takeoff tools.
• Must be located in the San Diego area or willing to relocate and work locally.
• Experience building or improving an estimating department is a plus.
• Familiarity with NFPA 80, UL 325, ASTM F2200, public works, or prevailing‑wage projects is a plus.

Why You Will Love Working Here

You will have real ownership rather than simply processing estimates. Our leadership wants this function strengthened and will give you room to improve systems, influence technology decisions, and build processes that last. You will work on diverse commercial projects, earn commission tied to results, have access to strong benefits and a $10,000 signing or relocation bonus, and have room to grow as the commercial division expands.

JPC-2290

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance