Construction Cost Estimator

Management Solutions LLC; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

401(k) with match

Job summary

Management Solutions LLC is seeking a Construction Cost Estimator with strong experience in preparing opinions of probable construction cost to support AE firms. You will work under senior estimators, take ownership of estimate components, document bases, and explain cost changes as designs progress.

The role focuses on independent estimating for design teams, with collaboration across architects, engineers, and PMs. Office-based in Knoxville with standard corporate benefits.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of construction cost estimating experience.
• Ability to interpret construction drawings, specifications, and technical documents and perform accurate quantity takeoffs.
• Experience with quantity-based estimates across multiple disciplines with documented assumptions.
• Familiarity with CSI MasterFormat and cost databases like RSMeans.
• Proficiency in Excel and Word; ability to document pricing sources and assumptions.
• Experience with digital takeoff tools such as Bluebeam.

Responsibilities

• Review drawings, specifications, and narratives to define estimate scope and quantify takeoffs across disciplines.
• Develop conceptual, parametric, and detailed estimates including labor, materials, equipment, and subcontract costs.
• Obtain budget pricing from vendors and compare pricing assumptions; monitor market conditions.
• Evaluate methods, labor productivity, phasing, site access, safety requirements affecting cost; assist senior estimators with contingencies.
• Prepare clear estimate details, basis of estimate narratives, and documents for client review.
• Update estimates at design milestones and reconcile changes; explain significant cost differences.
• Collaborate with architects, engineers, and project managers to resolve estimating questions and support VE.

Skills

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Communication

Team collaboration

Interpret drawings/specs

Microsoft Excel

Word processing

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s degree in construction management/engineering or related field

Tools

RSMeans cost data

Bluebeam

Excel

Word

Job description

Construction Cost Estimator

Location: In-office at MSLLC's Knoxville Headquarters

Employment Type: Full-Time

Who We Are

Management Solutions, LLC (MSLLC) is an award-winning management consulting firm delivering solutions for our partners’ most complex challenges. Since 2002, we have supported federal and commercial clients through expertise in project and program strategy, delivery and implementation, engineering and technical advisory services, workforce solutions, and digital solutions.

MSLLC has been recognized as Small Business of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Department of Energy, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory and has been named one of the Top Employers in the Greater Knoxville area.

Why Join Our Team

At Management Solutions, our people are the foundation of our success. We offer a collaborative and caring culture where employees are supported in their professional growth. This position offers the opportunity to work with experienced estimators and design professionals while building skills across construction disciplines and project types.

Job Summary

Management Solutions is seeking a Construction Cost Estimator with at least three years of construction estimating experience to support architectural and engineering (AE) firms. The estimator will help prepare opinions of probable construction cost submitted with design packages, supporting owner budgets, design decisions, and evaluation of alternatives from early design through construction documents.

This position focuses on independent estimating services for design teams. Working under the technical direction of senior estimators, the selected candidate will take ownership of assigned estimate components, document the basis of the estimate, and help explain cost changes as designs develop.

Key Responsibilities

• Review drawings, specifications, and design narratives to define estimate scope, identify information gaps, and perform documented quantity takeoffs across assigned construction disciplines.
• Prepare conceptual, parametric, and detailed quantity-based estimates appropriate to design maturity. Develop labor, material, equipment, and subcontracted work costs using cost databases, historical information, and project-specific research.
• Obtain budget pricing from vendors and specialty contractors; compare scope, inclusions, exclusions, and pricing assumptions. Monitor market conditions and maintain reusable pricing information.
• Evaluate construction methods, labor productivity, phasing, site access, and safety requirements affecting cost. Assist senior estimators with general conditions, indirect costs, markups, escalation, risk identification, and contingency.
• Prepare clear, defensible estimate details, summaries, and basis-of-estimate narratives documenting quantities, methods, pricing sources, assumptions, allowances, exclusions, and unresolved scope for client and owner review.
• Update estimates at design milestones; reconcile changes in quantities, scope, and pricing and explain significant cost differences.
• Collaborate with architects, engineers, and project managers to resolve estimating questions. Evaluate cost drivers, constructability considerations, and design alternatives; support value engineering and responses to review comments.
• Validate quantities, unit costs, calculations, and scope coverage; identify omissions or duplication and incorporate senior review comments. Maintain document control for design revisions, takeoffs, correspondence, and pricing records.
• Complete assigned estimating work within established schedules and labor budgets, communicate progress and concerns, and present assigned estimate findings in coordination and review meetings.

Required Qualifications

• At least 3 years of construction cost estimating experience.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to interpret construction drawings, specifications, and technical documents and perform accurate quantity takeoffs, including area, volume, and unit conversions.
• Experience preparing quantity-based estimates from drawings and specifications in more than one construction discipline, with demonstrated proficiency in at least one, including development of labor, material, and equipment unit costs and documented assumptions.
• Experience with RSMeans or comparable cost databases.
• Familiarity with CSI MasterFormat.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including formulas and calculation checks, and Microsoft Word.
• Experience with digital takeoff tools such as Bluebeam.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to document assumptions and pricing sources, flag incomplete or conflicting information, manage changing priorities, and incorporate feedback from senior estimators, architects, engineers, and project managers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, engineering, or a related field.
• Experience preparing design-phase estimates or opinions of probable construction cost for an AE firm or owner.
• Experience with federal, institutional, industrial, laboratory, or other technically complex facilities, including renovation projects.
• Exposure to prevailing wage or union labor pricing, construction phasing in operating facilities, or cost impacts of restricted site access.
• Familiarity with AACE International estimate classifications and basis-of-estimate practices.
• Interest in professional development through AACE International, the American Society of Professional Estimators, or related organizations.

Work Authorization

U.S. citizenship is required for this position. Under the prime contract supporting this work, it is limited to U.S. citizens. Applicants will be asked to confirm their citizenship status during the application process; documentation is requested only after an offer of employment. Lawful permanent residents and individuals with work visas or other employment authorization do not meet this requirement.

Working Conditions

This position is performed in our office, primarily in an environment using a computer and standard office equipment. The role includes project meetings and occasional visits to project and construction sites, which may involve walking on uneven surfaces, climbing stairs or ladders, and wearing required personal protective equipment. Travel is expected to be less than 5%. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

What We Offer

Management Solutions offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, prescription, dental and vision insurance; company-paid short-term disability and life insurance; a 401(k) plan with up to a 5% match and immediate vesting; Flexible Spending Accounts; PTO; paid holidays; and more.

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and is not a complete list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated

Management Solutions is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.

Applicants who need a reasonable accommodation to apply or interview may contact HR at [e-mail].

Management Solutions LLC is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of the Company to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.