Estimator

PERC Water Corporation; Fountain Valley (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

PERC Water Corporation in Fountain Valley, CA, is seeking an Estimator to deliver accurate cost estimates for water and wastewater infrastructure, using design-build, CMAR, and hard bid approaches. You will collaborate with engineers, project managers, and subcontractors to align estimates with scope, budget, and schedule.

The role requires a strong background in heavy civil/water treatment construction, proficiency with Procore and MS Office, and at least five years of estimating experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field preferred; equivalent work experience considered.
• Minimum 5 years of estimating experience in water/wastewater or heavy civil construction.

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed cost estimates for water and wastewater projects.
• Prepare detailed scope and bid breakdown packages for trade partners.
• Analyze project plans, specifications, and related documents to identify cost drivers, risks, and opportunities for value engineering.
• Work closely with engineers, project managers, and design staff to ensure estimates reflect current design intent and construction feasibility.
• Solicit, review, and negotiate subcontractor and supplier quotations to ensure competitive pricing and scope coverage.
• Develop and maintain historical cost data for use in future estimating activities.
• Participate in bid reviews, proposal preparation, and project presentations to clients.
• Assist in project budgeting and forecasting during pre-construction and early project stages.
• Collaborate with the scheduling team to ensure cost estimates align with proposed timelines.
• Track market trends in materials, equipment, and labor to maintain competitive and accurate estimates.
• Support project teams during the transition from estimating to construction, ensuring proper handoff of estimate details.
• Maintain compliance with corporate safety and quality standards in all estimating activities.

Skills

Estimating

Team collaboration

Deadline management

CSI knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Procore

Excel

Word

Project

Outlook

Job description

Normal Business Hours: Approx. 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday

Travel: Occasional travel to project sites or partner offices as required

Salary: 130,000-170,000 annually

Job Objective:

The Estimator plays a key role in the successful delivery of water and wastewater infrastructure projects by preparing accurate, detailed, and competitive cost estimates across design-build, CMAR (Construction Manager at Risk), and hard bid projects. Reporting directly to the Director of Design-Build, this position requires a strong understanding of construction methods, materials, and processes in the water/wastewater industry, as well as the ability to collaborate with project managers, engineers, and subcontractors to ensure estimates align with project scope, budget, and schedule requirements.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed cost estimates for water and wastewater treatment plant projects, including labor, materials, equipment, and subcontractor services.
• Prepare detailed scope and bid breakdown packages for trade partners.
• Analyze project plans, specifications, and related documents to identify cost drivers, risks, and opportunities for value engineering.
• Work closely with engineers, project managers, and design staff to ensure estimates reflect current design intent and construction feasibility.
• Solicit, review, and negotiate subcontractor and supplier quotations to ensure competitive pricing and scope coverage.
• Develop and maintain historical cost data for use in future estimating activities.
• Participate in bid reviews, proposal preparation, and project presentations to clients.
• Assist in project budgeting and forecasting during pre-construction and early project stages.
• Collaborate with the scheduling team to ensure cost estimates align with proposed timelines.
• Track market trends in materials, equipment, and labor to maintain competitive and accurate estimates.
• Support project teams during the transition from estimating to construction, ensuring proper handoff of estimate details.
• Maintain compliance with corporate safety and quality standards in all estimating activities.

Design-Build Projects:

• Support progressive design-phase estimating from conceptual budgeting through GMP development, aligning cost with evolving design.
• Partner with the design team throughout Schematic Design, Design Development, and Construction Document phases to validate budget alignment and identify value-engineering opportunities.
• Develop and refine GMP (Guaranteed Maximum Price) estimates in coordination with the Construction Manager and project owner during preconstruction.
• Solicit, level, and negotiate trade partner bids to support GMP buyout, maintaining transparent, open-book cost reporting throughout preconstruction.
• Participate in constructability reviews and owner/CM budget reconciliation meetings to balance cost, schedule, and quality goals.

Hard Bid Projects:

• Prepare complete, competitive lump-sum estimates from finalized bid documents, drawings, and specifications within tight bid deadlines.
• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs and solicit subcontractor/supplier pricing to develop accurate, comprehensive bid packages.
• Review bid documents for scope gaps, ambiguities, and risk, and prepare qualifications and exclusions as needed prior to submission.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

• Strong understanding of water and wastewater treatment plant construction methods, including heavy mechanical, piping, and concrete work.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, Project, and Outlook; ability to learn and utilize estimating software and project management tools such as Procore.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to collaborate effectively with clients, team members, and subcontractors.
• Strong analytical skills with attention to detail and accuracy in cost development.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines while managing multiple estimates simultaneously.
• Knowledge of industry-standard estimating practices and familiarity with CSI divisions related to water/wastewater infrastructure.
• Ability to oversee multiple hard bids, CMAR and Design-Build bids simultaneously.
• Provide mentoring, coaching and training to stakeholders.

Education, Credentials, and Experience Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field preferred; equivalent work experience considered.
• Minimum 5 years of estimating experience in water/wastewater or heavy civil construction.
• Experience with design-build delivery methods preferred.

Work Conditions

Primarily office-based, with occasional travel to project sites, subcontractor facilities, and client offices. Site visits may require exposure to active construction areas, including both indoor and outdoor environments.