Cost Estimator

Fronza and Francis LLC; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Fronza & Francis is seeking a Cost Estimator to support the Commercial/Change Management team. You will prepare and review independent cost estimates and contractor pricing for changes, claims, and other project impacts.

This Seattle-area role may follow a hybrid schedule with on-site presence as needed. You will analyze scope, quantities, direct and indirect costs; support estimate reconciliation and negotiations; and coordinate cost and schedule impacts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related field preferred.
• 7+ years of relevant experience in construction estimating, cost analysis, engineering, cost tracking systems, or related project controls work.
• Experience preparing or reviewing construction cost estimates and change order pricing.
• Proficient in reading construction plans, specifications, and scope documents.
• Experience supporting commercial management, change management, claims, or cost control on complex projects.
• Experience evaluating contractor change proposals, performing estimate reconciliation, and supporting cost negotiations.
• Ability to make independent judgments, document assumptions clearly, meet critical deadlines, and coordinate effectively with multidisciplinary project teams.
• Experience evaluating cost and schedule relationships associated with project changes is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and review independent cost estimates for proposed changes, change orders, potential changes, claims, and other commercial/change management items.
• Review project plans, specifications, scope documents, RFIs, design revisions, and change documentation to define scope and develop accurate cost impacts.
• Prepare detailed quantity takeoffs and evaluate labor, equipment, material, subcontractor, and indirect costs using appropriate estimating methods and current cost data.
• Evaluate contractor change order proposals and estimates for completeness, reasonableness, scope alignment, quantities, unit rates, assumptions, markups, and supporting documentation.
• Develop basis-of-estimate documentation, assumptions, exclusions, allowances, contingencies, and estimate risk considerations.
• Perform estimate reconciliation and cost comparisons and support negotiations with contractors, project teams, and other stakeholders.
• Support claims and cost exposure evaluations by reviewing cost records, pricing assumptions, and change documentation.
• Coordinate with the Scheduler and Commercial/Change Management team to assess the relationship between cost impacts and schedule/time impacts associated with project changes.
• Support change tracking, forecasting, cost reporting, and documentation for commercial and project decisions.

Skills

Cost estimating

Cost analysis

Quantity takeoffs

Change order review

Forecasting

Commercial/change management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Construction Management

Tools

HCSS

InEight

CostOS

OST

Bluebeam Revu

PlanSwift

AGTEK

Job description

Job title: Cost Estimator

Location: Seattle, WA

Job Type: On-Site

Employment Type: Full-Time

Salary Range: TBD based on experience

Company Description: Fronza & Francis is a high-performance multi-state certified, women owned firm that provides excellent customer-oriented services to industry clients. Our services consist of project management, construction management, project controls, Contract Administration and Contract Compliance support services to both private and public sector companies. We have an integrated and scalable range of services which help our clients achieve their goals on projects of varying scope, budget, schedule, and complexity.

Job Description

As a Cost Estimator supporting the Commercial/Change Management team, you will prepare and review independent cost estimates and contractor pricing for changes, claims, and other project impacts. You will analyze scope, quantities, direct and indirect costs; support estimate reconciliation and negotiations; and coordinate cost and schedule impacts. This Seattle-area role may follow a hybrid schedule with on-site presence as needed.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and review independent cost estimates for proposed changes, change orders, potential changes, claims, and other commercial/change management items.

• Review project plans, specifications, scope documents, RFIs, design revisions, and change documentation to define scope and develop accurate cost impacts.

• Prepare detailed quantity takeoffs and evaluate labor, equipment, material, subcontractor, and indirect costs using appropriate estimating methods and current cost data.

• Evaluate contractor change order proposals and estimates for completeness, reasonableness, scope alignment, quantities, unit rates, assumptions, markups, and supporting documentation.

• Develop basis-of-estimate documentation, assumptions, exclusions, allowances, contingencies, and estimate risk considerations.

• Perform estimate reconciliation and cost comparisons and support negotiations with contractors, project teams, and other stakeholders.

• Support claims and cost exposure evaluations by reviewing cost records, pricing assumptions, and change documentation.

• Coordinate with the Scheduler and Commercial/Change Management team to assess the relationship between cost impacts and schedule/time impacts associated with project changes.

• Support change tracking, forecasting, cost reporting, and documentation for commercial and project decisions.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field preferred.

• 7+ years of relevant experience in construction estimating, cost analysis, engineering, cost tracking systems, or related project controls work.

• Demonstrated experience preparing or reviewing construction cost estimates and change order pricing.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and in reading and interpreting construction plans, specifications, and scope documents.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting commercial management, change management, claims, or cost control on complex construction projects.

• Experience evaluating contractor change proposals, performing estimate reconciliation, and supporting cost negotiations.

• Ability to make independent judgments, document assumptions clearly, meet critical deadlines, and coordinate effectively with multidisciplinary project teams.

• Experience evaluating cost and schedule relationships associated with project changes is a plus.

Skills & Competencies

• Estimating programs such as HCSS, InEight, and CostOS.

• Takeoff programs such as OST (On-Screen Takeoff), Bluebeam Revu, PlanSwift, and AGTEK.

• Construction cost estimating, quantity takeoffs, change order review, cost reconciliation, forecasting, and commercial/change management support.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Fronza & Francis is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.