Construction Estimator

VPG Enterprise; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

VPG Construction in New Orleans is seeking an Estimator I to join our commercial construction and mechanical estimating efforts. You will support projects from initial document review through final bid submission, developing reliable estimates and analyzing proposals.

This role requires sharp plan-reading, strong Excel skills, and a collaborative mindset to work with executives, architects, engineers, and trade partners to deliver competitive bids.

Qualifications

• Ability to read drawings and specifications to determine project scope.
• Experience with digital takeoffs and estimating processes.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to develop complete, competitive estimates.

Responsibilities

• Support estimating from initial document review through final bid submission.
• Prepare budgets and estimates with guidance from leadership.
• Review drawings and bid documents to understand scope.
• Collaborate with executives, managers, architects, engineers, and trade partners.
• Track milestones, deadlines, and deliverables to ensure timely submissions.
• Perform quantity takeoffs and develop pricing.

Skills

Plan reading

Excel proficiency

Analytical thinking

Communication

Tools

Bluebeam

ProEst

Sage Estimating

Job description

PRICE THE PROJECT. PROTECT THE MARGIN. BUILD THE PLAN.

At VPG Construction, great projects start long before the first subcontractor steps onto the jobsite. We’re looking for an Estimator I who can bring accuracy, discipline, and attention to detail to our commercial construction and mechanical estimating efforts.

You’ll support projects from initial document review through final bid submission, developing reliable estimates, analyzing trade partner proposals, identifying scope gaps and project risks, and helping our teams build a strong foundation for successful project execution.

If you know how to read a set of plans, understand what the numbers are telling you, and spot the details that can make or break an estimate, let’s talk.

Why Estimate at VPG?

• Direct impact — Your estimates help shape the projects VPG pursues and the budgets we build around them.
• Strong collaboration — Work directly with project executives, project managers, architects, engineers, and trade partners.
• Real development — Build your estimating expertise across commercial construction, mechanical scopes, pricing, and preconstruction.
• Room to improve — Help strengthen estimating tools, cost data, templates, and lessons learned.

What You'll Do:

• Support the estimating process from initial document review through final bid submission while maintaining accuracy, responsiveness, and attention to detail.
• Prepare conceptual budgets, schematic estimates, design development estimates, hard bids, negotiated proposals, and GMP pricing with guidance from preconstruction leadership.
• Review drawings, specifications, addenda, and other bid documents to understand project scope and requirements.
• Collaborate with project executives, project managers, architects, engineers, and trade partners to clarify scope and support project goals.
• Track estimating milestones, outstanding information, bid deadlines, and required deliverables to ensure timely submissions.
• Perform accurate quantity takeoffs for assigned divisions and scopes using project plans and specifications.
• Develop labor, material, equipment, subcontractor, general conditions, contingency, and escalation pricing as applicable.
• Prepare clear scope narratives, bid clarifications, assumptions, inclusions, exclusions, and alternates.
• Maintain and use historical cost data, vendor pricing, and productivity information to strengthen estimate accuracy.
• Identify document conflicts, constructability concerns, missing scope, and cost or schedule risks before bid submission.
• Solicit subcontractor and supplier proposals and follow up to achieve adequate bid coverage for assigned scopes.
• Build and maintain professional relationships with trade partners and suppliers across VPG's markets.
• Review, compare, and level proposals to identify scope gaps, qualifications, exclusions, and pricing differences.
• Assist with scope review meetings and develop value engineering options or alternate pricing when requested.
• Confirm subcontractor inclusions and exclusions are accurately reflected in estimate recaps, bid tabs, and letters of intent.
• Coordinate with project managers, superintendents, and executives to align estimates with means, methods, logistics, schedule, and operational needs.
• Participate in project kickoff and turnover meetings and communicate budget assumptions, risks, and procurement priorities.
• Support subcontractor buyout, contract scope review, and budget reconciliation with the project team.
• Maintain organized estimate files, bid documentation, correspondence, and supporting backup in accordance with VPG procedures.

Requirements:

• 5–10 years of construction estimating experience, preferably with a commercial general contractor.
• Proficiency with digital takeoff and estimating tools such as Bluebeam, ProEst, Sage Estimating, or comparable platforms.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel.
• Strong plan-reading and construction document review skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and deadline-management skills.
• Ability to develop accurate, complete, competitive, and defensible project estimates.