Construction Estimator

Trueline Talent; Town of Texas (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Paid time off

Defined succession path toward Chief/4

Mentorship and knowledge transfer

Training on estimating systems

Autonomy with limited micromanagement

Opportunity to work on high-profile TX

Job summary

Trueline Talent is seeking a Senior Commercial Estimator to join an onsite Dallas team. You will learn under two veteran estimators and progressively lead the estimating department as part of a planned succession.

The role emphasizes reviewing drawings, producing complete estimates, and coordinating with architects, GCs, and vendors while embracing data, technology, and AI to modernize processes.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in commercial construction estimating with strong plan/spec understanding.
• Experience performing digital quantity takeoffs and complex finishes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, organization, and reliability.

Responsibilities

• Review drawings, specs, elevations, finish schedules, and bid documents.
• Perform digital quantity takeoffs for specialty finish scopes.
• Develop estimates, budgets, proposals, and supporting docs.
• Analyze conditions, transitions, sequencing, and production factors.
• Identify gaps, conflicts, missing info, and risks in documents.
• Prepare RFIs, exclusions, and proposal clarifications.
• Coordinate with architects, designers, GCs, vendors, and teams.
• Solicit and evaluate material and vendor pricing.
• Assist with change order pricing and revisions.
• Manage multiple bids and meet deadlines.
• Maintain estimating databases and historical cost data.
• Learn specialized architectural finish systems and methods.
• Work with senior estimators during knowledge-transfer period.
• Improve workflows, processes, and documentation; explore AI in estimating.
• Develop toward leadership of the estimating department.

Skills

Commercial estimating

Construction plans

Takeoffs

Analytical skills

Identify scope gaps

Organization

Bid management

Communication

Reliability

Onsite availability

Learning new software

Tools

On-Screen Takeoff

Estimating software

Job description

Trueline's client, a highly specialized commercial finishes contractor with more than 40 years of experience delivering high-end architectural projects, is seeking a Senior Commercial Estimator to join their onsite team in Dallas, Texas. This is a rare succession opportunity to learn alongside two veteran estimators before stepping into leadership of the estimating department, making it ideal for an experienced commercial estimator who wants a defined path toward becoming Chief Estimator.

What You'll Do as the Senior Commercial Estimator:

• Review commercial construction drawings, specifications, elevations, finish schedules, and bid documents
• Perform detailed digital quantity takeoffs for specialty commercial finish scopes
• Develop complete estimates, budgets, proposals, and supporting documentation
• Analyze wall conditions, transitions, corners, access, sequencing, and other factors affecting production
• Identify scope gaps, drawing conflicts, missing information, and potential estimating risks
• Prepare RFIs, exclusions, qualifications, and proposal clarifications
• Coordinate with architects, designers, General Contractors, vendors, and internal teams
• Solicit and evaluate material and vendor pricing
• Assist with change order pricing and project revisions
• Manage multiple active bids while meeting submission deadlines
• Maintain estimating databases, historical cost information, and pricing resources
• Learn specialized architectural finish systems and company-specific estimating methods
• Work closely with two highly experienced estimators during a planned knowledge-transfer period
• Help improve estimating workflows, processes, and documentation
• Explore practical ways to incorporate new technology and AI into the estimating function
• Take on increasing responsibility for department standards and estimating strategy
• Develop toward leadership of the estimating department as part of the company's succession plan

Must-Haves as the Senior Commercial Estimator:

• 5 or more years of commercial construction estimating experience
• Strong understanding of commercial construction plans and specifications
• Experience performing detailed digital quantity takeoffs
• Strong analytical and mathematical skills
• Ability to identify scope gaps and inconsistencies in construction documents
• Excellent organization and attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple bids and deadlines simultaneously
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Self-directed work style with a high degree of reliability
• Strong work ethic and consistent follow-through
• Comfortable learning specialized construction systems and estimating methods
• Willingness to learn new software and technology
• Ability to work 100% onsite in Dallas

Nice-to-Haves as the Senior Commercial Estimator:

• Commercial drywall estimating experience
• Wall and ceiling systems experience
• Interior finish contractor experience
• Commercial painting estimating experience
• Specialty finishes experience
• Acoustical ceiling estimating experience
• Flooring estimating experience
• Experience with complex architectural finishes
• On-Screen Takeoff experienceExperience maintaining historical estimating data
• Experience communicating directly with architects and designers
• Interest in process improvement and estimating technology
• Experience using AI or automation tools within construction or estimating

Our Client Offers:

• Base salary of $90,000-$110,000, depending on experience
• Potential flexibility for exceptional candidates
• Potential year-end performance bonus
• 401(k)
• Paid time off
• Defined succession path toward Chief Estimator within approximately 1-2 years
• Direct mentorship and knowledge transfer from two veteran estimators
• Opportunity to learn a highly specialized and valuable construction niche
• Training on company-specific estimating systems and processes
• Opportunity to modernize the estimating department through technology and AI
• Significant autonomy with limited micromanagement
• Exceptional employee retention, with many office employees building decades-long careers with the company
• Stable organization with more than 40 years in business
• Exposure to high-profile commercial projects throughout Texas and nationwide
• Established reputation and strong project win rate
• Small-company environment where individual contributions have a visible impact
• Long-term opportunity to lead and shape the estimating function
• Please note that company-sponsored health insurance is not currently offered, and compensation may be adjusted for exceptional candidates to help account for this

Trueline and its clients are unabashed equal-opportunity employers committed to a diverse workforce. We welcome smart and ambitious applicants and recruit, refer, hire, place, and promote without regard to race, color, gender, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law.