Construction Estimator

J. Benson Construction; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) retirement plan with company 1:

Paid Time Off (PTO) – 160 hours/year

Privately Funded Paid Family/Medical

Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance (

Job summary

J. Benson Construction, a Minneapolis-based commercial carpentry subcontractor, seeks a Construction Estimator to prepare accurate, competitive cost estimates by analyzing project requirements and collaborating with project teams, trade partners, and design professionals.

You will support bid strategy, take-offs, risk assessment, and pricing summaries for internal reviews and external submissions, while mentoring junior estimators and aligning estimates with project budgets.

Qualifications

• Experience preparing detailed cost estimates for construction projects.
• Ability to analyze scope, schedule, and risks to produce reliable estimates.
• Strong collaboration with project teams, trade partners, and design professionals.
• Mentor junior estimators and P.E./Estimators.

Responsibilities

• Develop understanding of project scope, requirements, logistics, and schedule.
• Select estimating methods and metrics to produce accurate estimates.
• Perform quantity take-offs and analyze historical data to inform pricing.
• Conduct risk analysis and document assumptions and exclusions.
• Prepare detailed estimates, bids, and pricing summaries for review.
• Provide value analysis to maintain project budgets.
• Organize estimating activities and input data in ProCore.
• Lead estimating meetings and coordinate bid invitations.
• Solicit and review subcontractor pricing; identify best bids.
• Foster relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, and designers.
• Conduct site visits to validate scope and pricing.
• Share lessons learned with operations to improve accuracy.

Skills

Cost Estimating

Risk Analysis

Bid Management

Stakeholder Communication

Mentorship

Team Collaboration

Preconstruction Planning

Value Engineering

Tools

ProCore

Job description

J. Benson Construction is a self-performing commercial carpentry sub-contractor and MBE partner. In business since 1971. We specialize in rough and finish carpentry, mass timber, DIRTT, doors and hardware, and Division 10 specialties.

Role Summary

The Construction Estimator is responsible for preparing accurate, competitive, and complete cost estimates by analyzing project requirements, evaluating risks, and collaborating with project teams, trade partners, and design professionals. This role supports successful project pursuit, pricing strategy, and long-term estimating accuracy.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop a thorough understanding of project scope, requirements, logistics, and schedule.
• Select appropriate estimating methods and metrics to produce accurate and reliable estimates.
• Perform quantity take-offs and analyze historical project data to inform pricing and productivity.
• Conduct risk analysis and identify cost drivers, assumptions, and exclusions.
• Prepare detailed estimates, bids, and pricing summaries for internal review and external submission.
• Provide value analysis and recommendations to maintain project budgets.

Preconstruction Planning & Coordination

• Organize, plan, and schedule estimating activities to meet deadlines.
• Ensure all project related activities are input and maintained in ProCore.
• Lead and participate in estimating meetings, including kick-off, status updates, document reviews, and final reviews.
• Collaborate with project teams to develop trade partner strategies and issue invitations to bid.
• Develop general requirements estimates based on site logistics and schedule requirements.
• Participate in bid day activities and owner presentations alongside estimating leadership.
• Solicit, review, and evaluate subcontractor and supplier pricing; identify advantageous and compliant bids.
• Foster and maintain relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, architects, and design partners.
• Conduct site visits and gather field intelligence to validate scope and pricing assumptions.
• Utilize market intelligence and project history to inform future estimates.

Communication & Stakeholder Support

• Present completed estimates to project leadership, designers, and owners with a clear command of scope, pricing, and risk.
• Maintain ongoing communication with operations teams to capture lessons learned and improve estimating accuracy.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships across operations, design, and ownership teams.

Professional & Organizational Contributions

• Demonstrate strong work ethic, initiative, sound business judgment, and attention to detail.
• Participate in group or company initiatives as needed.
• Continually develop industry knowledge through projects, trade publications, conferences, and professional resources.
• Communicate effectively, listen actively, and engage constructively with diverse teams and perspectives.
• Mentor and train P.E. and Estimators.
• 401(k) retirement plans with company match
• Paid Time Off (PTO) – 160 hours/year (covering flexible/floating holidays, vacation, Safe & Sick Leave)
• Privately Funded Paid Family/Medical Leave
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance (employee 100% employer paid / family 50% employer paid)
• Paid training, career advancement opportunities, and mentorship programs.