Estimator

Actalent; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 66,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and R

Life Insurance

Short and long-term disability

Health Spending Account (HSA)

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

PTO / Vacation / Sick Leave

Job summary

Actalent in Chicago, IL is seeking a Construction Estimator to prepare detailed cost estimates and competitive bid proposals for commercial projects. You will review drawings, perform quantity takeoffs, and support the full bid process from initial review to submission.

You will collaborate with project managers, operations, and field personnel, track bid schedules, and identify cost risks and value engineering opportunities while staying current with local market pricing and trends.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of estimating, project engineering, or coordination experience in commercial construction.
• Experience with public sector and federal projects is preferred.
• Ability to read drawings and bid documents with accuracy.
• Experience with quantity takeoffs, budgeting, and bid packaging.
• Strong knowledge of construction means, methods, and subcontractor scope evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed cost estimates and competitive bid proposals for commercial construction projects across the Chicago market.
• Review drawings, specifications, and contract documents to perform accurate quantity takeoffs.
• Solicit, analyze, and compare subcontractor and supplier quotations for complete bids.
• Support senior estimators throughout the bid process from initial project review through final bid submission.
• Attend pre-bid meetings, site walks, and client meetings to gather project information and scope.

Skills

Estimating

Project coordination

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree (Construction Management / Civil Engineering / Architecture)

Tools

Procore

Timberline

Viewpoint

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Job Description

This Estimator role focuses on preparing detailed and accurate cost estimates and bid proposals for commercial construction projects throughout the Chicago market. You will review drawings and specifications, perform quantity takeoffs, and support the full bid process from project review through submission. The position offers the opportunity to collaborate closely with project managers, operations teams, and field personnel while developing a long-term career in estimating and preconstruction within a supportive, family-oriented construction company.

Job Title: Construction Estimator

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed cost estimates and competitive bid proposals for commercial construction projects across the Chicago market.
• Review construction drawings, specifications, and contract documents to perform accurate quantity takeoffs.
• Solicit, analyze, and compare subcontractor and supplier quotations to ensure comprehensive and competitive bids.
• Support senior estimators throughout the bid process, from initial project review through final bid submission.
• Attend pre-bid meetings, site walks, and client meetings as required to gather project information and clarify scope.
• Track bid schedules, deadlines, and estimating documentation to ensure timely and complete submissions.
• Collaborate with project managers, operations teams, and field personnel to confirm scope alignment and constructability.
• Identify potential scope gaps, cost risks, and value engineering opportunities to improve project competitiveness and profitability.
• Maintain current knowledge of local market pricing, labor rates, and construction trends to ensure accurate estimates.
• Prepare estimates across multiple construction trades and scopes rather than focusing on a single specialty discipline.
• Perform quantity takeoffs, develop budgets, and assemble complete bid packages in accordance with bid requirements.
• Evaluate subcontractor scopes and ensure coverage of all required work, including coordination between trades.
• Contribute to change order pricing and construction scheduling support as needed.

Essential Skills

• 3–5 years of experience in estimating, project engineering, project coordination, or commercial construction.
• Experience estimating public sector construction projects, including work with agencies such as the City of Chicago, Chicago Public Schools (CPS), Capital Development Board (CDB), and Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA), preferred.
• Federal project estimating experience is a plus.
• Experience preparing estimates across multiple construction trades and scopes.
• Ability to review and interpret construction drawings, specifications, contracts, and bid documents.
• Experience performing quantity takeoffs, developing budgets, and preparing competitive bid proposals.
• Strong understanding of construction means and methods, project sequencing, and subcontractor scope evaluation.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel.
• Proficiency with estimating software platforms such as Procore, Timberline, and Viewpoint.
• Experience with construction scheduling and change order processes.
• Background in general contracting, construction management, and project management.
• Experience with federal construction, residential construction, glazing, subcontractor management, and carpentry is beneficial.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple bids and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Desire to grow within a long-term estimating and preconstruction career path.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, or a related field preferred.
• Experience working with general contractors and on a variety of project types, including hospitality, education, transportation, government, healthcare, and institutional sectors.
• Comfort working with both public sector and federal project requirements.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with project managers, operations teams, field personnel, and subcontractors.
• Interest in building a long-term career with a small, family-oriented construction organization.

Work Environment

The Estimator will primarily report to a field office near O'Hare, with flexibility to work from the main office at times. The role involves regular travel within the city for pre-bid meetings and site walks, with mileage reimbursement provided for specific job site visits. You will work closely with a small, second-generation family construction business that emphasizes a non-corporate, collaborative environment and supports projects across sectors such as hospitality, education, transportation, government, healthcare, and institutional work. The company promotes a long-term career path in estimating and preconstruction, offering the opportunity to partner closely with leadership and operations teams while using modern construction and estimating tools, including Microsoft Excel and leading estimating software platforms.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Chicago, IL.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $48.08 - $64.90/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Chicago,IL. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Oct 6, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.