Construction Estimator

McFarland Construction U.S.

Charlotte (NC)

On-site

USD 85,000 - 120,000

Full time

3 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision coverage

Employer HSA contribution

Employee Assistance Program

Competitive pay

401(k) plan with company match

Life & AD&D insurance

Short-Term & Long-Term Disability

Paid time off after first pay cycle

Flexible benefit options

Employee referral bonus program

Charitable contribution matching

Job summary

McFarland Construction is a Charlotte, NC-based commercial construction firm seeking a seasoned Commercial PM with 3+ years of estimating and preconstruction experience to lead and support bid efforts for design-build projects. You will develop budgets, price packages, and strategize trade partner involvement to win opportunities.

The role requires collaboration with executives, architects, and engineers to deliver accurate, competitive bids while maintaining project schedules, safety, and

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required and able to read plans and specs.
Minimum 3 years of commercial estimating or related experience with mechanical, electrical, or plumbing trades.
Minimum 3 years preconstruction experience with General Contractors preferred.
Must be able to read plans, specs and generate estimates.
Experience with ground up and interior renovations estimating.
LEED experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide preliminary cost estimates based on client documents and interviews.
Develop conceptual, schematic, and design development estimates and GMPs.
Create bid packages and strategize for competitive participation.
Review drawings and specs, report inconsistencies to architects.
Collaborate with operations, design teams, and trade partners.
Manage RFI logs and write assumptions and proposal letters.

Skills

Estimating

Preconstruction

Read drawings

Bid packages

Communication

MS Office

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

LEED experience

Tools

On-screen Takeoff

Bluebeam

Total Bid/Power Advocate

Job description

EXPERIENCE: 3+ Years Commercial PM

MARKETS: Mission Critical, Financial, Health, Energy & More

McFarland Construction is a full-service commercial construction firm specializing in general contracting, design/build, and construction management services. We deliver high-quality projects across a wide range of markets, including Financial Services, Health Sciences, Energy, Mission Critical, and the Public Sector.

Founded in 2010, McFarland has grown to become the largest African American-owned general contractor in the Carolinas. Headquartered in Charlotte, NC, with regional offices in Raleigh, NC and Indianapolis, IN, we continue to expand our footprint and impact throughout the Southeast and Midwest.

We're proud to be ranked #18 Largest General Contractor in Charlotte, #4 Fastest-Growing Private Company in the region, and among the Top General Contractors in U.S., Southeast, and Midwest

If you're looking for your next career move and want to be part of a dynamic, forward-thinking, and fast-growing company, McFarland Construction is the place for you. Join us and help shape the future of construction.

Position Summary

To lead and/or support pre-construction in detailed take-off, trade partner recruiting/solicitation, and development of budget/bidding deliverables to procure new business with existing and emerging client opportunities.

The successful candidate will support and represent the company with a high degree of accuracy and expertise related to estimating during the preconstruction phase of design-build projects and pricing for new opportunities.
Interface with Pre-Construction Manager, Marketing Coordinator, Safety Specialists, Operations Team, Clients, Design & Trade Partners, as well as other Industry Representatives.
Ensure that technical specs and designs requirements are properly accounted for, feasible, and consistent with industry standards.

Key Responsibilities include:

Provide a detailed and carefully thought-out preliminary cost estimate, based on client provided documents and interviews.
Responsible for conceptual, schematic, design development estimates, GMPs, lump sum bidding, and public bid package assembly.
Perform conceptual estimating, given limited information via a narrative and SD or space plan level drawings.
Ability to create strategic bid lists to maximize competitive participation on bid day.
Candidate must be knowledgeable in the majority of the following: site construction & utilities systems, building foundation and structural systems, structural and miscellaneous metals, casework, door assemblies, specialties, interior finishes, exterior building wall systems, mechanical, electrical, fire protection, and fire alarm systems and the costs of these systems.
Ability to successfully create bid packages/strategize to meet diverse trade partner goals.
Ability to provide support in a design build or design-assist-build project from SDs to CDs, meeting the client’s budget.
Ability to create and manage a value engineering log with quick cost studies when necessary.
Ability to write public bid packages/scopes of work.
Ability to be aggressive on providing custom solutions as they present themselves related to cost, lead times, material substitutions to name a few.
Ability to critically think when pressed with finding trade partner coverage on bid day, including confident & accurate internal budgeting to create a plug.
Work with the Operations team on project schedule, logistics, safety, constructability reviews, general conditions, and general requirements.
Ability to provide high level overview of a project schedule and feasibility.
Collaborate with safety representatives to ensure proper risk mitigation, techniques, and considerations are incorporated in the Pre-Construction plans/budgets.
Ability to generate and manage RFI logs.
Write, assumptions, clarifications, and proposal letters.
Must be passionate, flexible, and adaptable with collaborating both internally and externally with operations team, design teams, and joint venture partners.
Support estimating, scheduling, and purchasing functions as they relate to the Pre-Construction phase of the project.
Participate in project meetings with owner, architect, and engineers. Review and provide feedback on all project budget aspects.
Review all drawings and specifications, to accurately report any issues and/or inconsistencies to architects’ attention.
Resolves cost discrepancies by collecting and analyzing data.
Maintain continuity among work teams by documenting and communicating actions, irregularities, and ongoing requests.
Keep up to date of professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing networks, and participating in professional societies.
Ability to prioritize and handle multiple projects concurrently to meet deadlines.
Periodic travel to attend pre-bid meetings, site evaluations, and offsite meetings.
Ability to multitask with items outside of estimating.
Ability to listen and communicate with various people & roles within their respective companies.
Ability and passion for working in a team environment.

Education & Additional Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or business school.
Minimum of 3 years of commercial construction estimating or related experience with a mechanical, electrical, or plumbing contractor, preferred.
Minimum of 3 years commercial preconstruction experience with a General Contractor preferred but not required.
Must be able to read plans, specs, and generate estimates.
Demonstrated ability to thoroughly understand drawings and specifications, general contract and subcontract documents, materials, means and methods.
Experience with estimating ground up and interior renovations projects with a general contractor.
LEED experience preferred.
Advance expertise in Microsoft Office, On-screen Takeoff, and Bluebeam software knowledge.
Experience with online bidding platforms, such as: Total Bid and/or Power Advocate is preferred.
Must be able to manage tight deadlines and the responsibility of accurately forecasting the budget for a project.
Must be passionate about working on a collaborative team.
Must be self-motivated with a strong work ethic.
Strong and concise speaker/presenter
Strong verbal and written communication skills required.
Strong math and analytical skills.
Strong and creative problem-solving skills.

We're looking for someone who requires minimal training and can step in to immediately run projects with confidence.

Why McFarland Construction

At McFarland, you are not just managing projects, you are leading them with real ownership, visibility, and impact. We offer a strong, competitive benefits package designed to support you and your family at every stage of life.