Contract Civil Estimator

RJS Grading; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 103,000 - 172,000; Part time

Job summary

RJS Grading in Raleigh, NC seeks an independent estimator or estimating partner for grading, sitework, and earthwork takeoffs. This contract role covers bid overflow, revisions, and agreed-upon deliverables with a fee approved before work begins.

The candidate should have direct grading/sitework estimating experience, be able to read civil drawings, quantify earthwork, and develop auditable cost packages. Strong organizational and communication skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Direct grading/sitework/earthwork estimating experience with project examples and references.
• Ability to read civil drawings and quantify earthwork using takeoff software; indicate tools and deliver editable formats.
• Understanding of cut/fill, haul logistics, equipment and labor production, and scope/quote comparison.
• Ability to meet deadlines, communicate unknowns promptly, and protect client information.

Responsibilities

• Review civil plans, specs, addenda, geotechnical info, and scope requirements; track drawing versions and raise RFIs.
• Prepare auditable grading and earthwork takeoffs, including cut/fill, stripping, excavation, import/export, hauling, and disposal quantities; state swell/shrink and allowances explicitly.
• Quantify related sitework and underground utilities; identify scope outside your expertise or agreed fee.
• Develop labor, equipment, material, trucking, subcontractor, and other direct costs using agreed inputs and production assumptions; distinguish source data and margins.
• Define quote needs and review supplier/subcontractor coverage with the office; ensure complete bid package for review.
• Deliver marked-up takeoffs, editable quantity/cost worksheets, quote comparisons, assumptions, exclusions, and risk notes by the review date.
• Support bid revisions and change-order pricing; document revisions and fees for out-of-scope work.
• Help convert awarded estimates into job budgets and handoff packages; use feedback to improve future assumptions.

Skills

Grading/sitework/earthwork estimating

Read civil drawings

Earthwork quantities & takeoffs

Meet deadlines & communicate issues

Tools

Takeoff software

Job description

RJS Grading

Contract Civil Estimator

Grading, Sitework and Earthwork | RJS Grading | Raleigh, North Carolina projects

RJS Grading is seeking an independent estimator or estimating firm for grading, sitework, and earthwork takeoffs and estimating support. Assignments will cover selected bids, estimating overflow, and agreed revisions, with clear deliverables and a fee approved before work begins.

Company

RJS Grading is a Raleigh, North Carolina-based civil excavation and underground utility contractor. Our work includes grading, sitework, utilities, clearing, demolition, hauling, and related site services. We value people who own the outcome, communicate early and honestly, take pride in the work, protect our people, and grow together. We are looking for a dependable estimating partner who makes quantities, assumptions, and risks easy to review. Robert remains the lead for sales and final pricing.

Position type

Contract/outsourced professional services, engaged by agreed project scope. Work location, site visits, and meeting needs are agreed for each assignment. Submit your location, availability, turnaround times, and preferred fee structure. No minimum volume is promised.

This role is for you if

You have direct civil sitework experience and can explain how the plans, existing conditions, quantities, hauling, equipment, and production assumptions connect. You flag gaps early and provide an organized estimate that can be handed over to operations.

Description of duties

• Review civil plans, specifications, addenda, available geotechnical information, and scope requirements. Track drawing versions and raise RFIs or missing-information questions.
• Prepare auditable grading and earthwork takeoffs, including applicable cut/fill, stripping, excavation, import/export, hauling, and disposal quantities. State swell/shrink, unsuitable-material, and other allowances explicitly.
• Quantify related sitework and underground utilities when included in the assignment. Clearly identify any scope outside your expertise or agreed fee.
• Develop labor, equipment, material, trucking, subcontractor, and other direct costs using agreed RJS inputs and supported production assumptions. Distinguish source data, allowances, and items requiring confirmation.
• Define quote needs and review supplier/subcontractor coverage with the office coordinator. Compare inclusions, exclusions, and gaps so Robert receives a complete bid package.
• Deliver marked-up takeoffs, editable quantity/cost worksheets, quote comparisons, assumptions, exclusions, and risk notes by the agreed review date, leaving time for Robert's review.
• Support bid revisions, addenda, or change-order pricing when included in the assignment. Document revisions and agree fees for work outside the original scope.
• Help convert awarded estimates into job budgets and handoff packages. Use completed-job feedback to improve future assumptions.

How the role fits

RJS selects bid opportunities and approves pricing, markup, terms, and submissions. Each engagement defines deliverables, review dates, revisions, file compatibility, confidentiality, and fees. Robert remains responsible for sales and final pricing.

What success looks like

A successful assignment produces traceable quantities, clear assumptions, checked costs, and a reviewable bid package by the agreed deadline. RJS can understand how the estimate was built and transfer it into a working job budget.

Skills and requirements

• Direct grading/sitework/earthwork estimating experience, with relevant project examples and references. General building estimating alone is insufficient.
• Ability to read civil drawings and quantify earthwork using appropriate takeoff software; tell us which tools you use and which editable formats you deliver.
• Working understanding of cut/fill, haul logistics, equipment and labor production, and scope/quote comparison.
• Ability to meet agreed deadlines, communicate unknowns promptly, and protect client information.

Helpful experience: Experience with North Carolina sitework and utilities, building estimates for self-performing contractors, and comparing estimated production with actual job results.

Compensation

Target fee range of $75-$125 per hour for experienced grading/sitework estimating support, or an agreed fixed fee per assignment. Submit your proposed rate, estimated hours or fixed fee, included deliverables, revision allowance, and turnaround. Rush work, site visits, and changes in scope require a separate agreement. Fees and any paid sample assignment will be agreed in advance. This is a service engagement with no employee benefits or guaranteed volume.