Commercial Plumbing Estimator

AlphaGov; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance options

Retirement plan options

Paid time off

Additional company-sponsored benefits

Job summary

AlphaGov in San Jose, CA is seeking an experienced Plumbing Estimator to manage bid preparation and preconstruction planning for commercial and industrial plumbing projects.

The role requires hands-on experience evaluating plans, calculating labor and material costs, coordinating pricing, and developing accurate estimates for plumbing and process piping work. Strong collaboration with GCs, engineers and vendors is essential for timely bids.

Qualifications

• 5+ years estimating commercial/industrial plumbing projects
• Ability to interpret drawings, layouts, specs and related docs
• Experience calculating material quantities, labor hours, equipment costs and subcontractor expenses

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed cost estimates and competitive bids for commercial and industrial plumbing and process piping projects
• Conduct comprehensive material and labor takeoffs using plumbing plans, mechanical drawings, MEP documents, and project specifications
• Analyze drawings, bid documents, specifications, and addenda to establish project scope and identify missing information or potential discrepancies
• Request, compare, and verify supplier, equipment, and subcontractor quotes to ensure accurate project costing
• Prepare bid packages, pricing schedules, cost breakdowns, and preliminary budgets for plumbing construction projects
• Evaluate project risks, including scope gaps, construction feasibility, pricing assumptions, and potential cost overruns
• Coordinate with general contractors, engineers, vendors, subcontractors, and internal departments to resolve scope questions and confirm pricing details
• Assess change orders and revised project requirements to determine cost impacts and prepare updated estimates
• Organize bid documentation, maintain historical cost databases, and track pricing trends to support more accurate future estimates

Skills

Estimating

Costing

Bid preparation

Takeoffs

Vendor coordination

Project coordination

Tools

Microsoft Office

Digital takeoff tools

Job description

We're seeking an experienced Plumbing Estimator to manage bid preparation and preconstruction planning for commercial and industrial plumbing projects. This role requires hands-on experience evaluating construction plans, calculating labor and material costs, coordinating pricing, and developing accurate estimates for plumbing and process piping work.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed cost estimates and competitive bids for commercial and industrial plumbing and process piping projects


• Conduct comprehensive material and labor takeoffs using plumbing plans, mechanical drawings, MEP documents, and project specifications


• Analyze drawings, bid documents, specifications, and addenda to establish project scope and identify missing information or potential discrepancies


• Request, compare, and verify supplier, equipment, and subcontractor quotes to ensure accurate project costing


• Prepare bid packages, pricing schedules, cost breakdowns, and preliminary budgets for plumbing construction projects


• Evaluate project risks, including scope gaps, construction feasibility, pricing assumptions, and potential cost overruns


• Coordinate with general contractors, engineers, vendors, subcontractors, and internal departments to resolve scope questions and confirm pricing details


• Assess change orders and revised project requirements to determine cost impacts and prepare updated estimates


• Organize bid documentation, maintain historical cost databases, and track pricing trends to support more accurate future estimates

Requirements

• At least 5 years of estimating experience in commercial or industrial plumbing construction


• Proven experience estimating plumbing systems and/or process piping projects


• Previous employment with a plumbing contractor, mechanical contractor, MEP subcontractor, or a comparable construction firm


• Strong ability to interpret construction drawings, plumbing layouts, mechanical plans, specifications, and related project documents


• Demonstrated experience calculating material quantities, labor hours, equipment costs, and subcontractor expenses


• A background in plumbing estimating is mandatory; candidates with only general construction or residential estimating experience will not qualify


• Familiarity with construction estimating platforms and Microsoft Office, with experience using digital takeoff tools considered an advantage


• Solid knowledge of commercial plumbing systems, installation methods, construction sequencing, and scope development

Benefits

• Competitive compensation based on experience


• Health insurance options


• Retirement plan options


• Paid time off


• Additional company-sponsored benefits