Estimator

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

Job summary

Consolidated Water Group in Fountain Valley, CA is seeking an Estimator to deliver accurate, detailed cost estimates for water and wastewater projects across design-build, CMAR, and hard-bid formats. You will report to the Director of Design-Build and collaborate with engineers, project managers, and trade partners to ensure budgets align with scope and schedule.

Responsibilities include preparing GMP estimates, value engineering, bid packaging, and cost data maintenance while supporting

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.
• Experience with design-build delivery methods preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed cost estimates for water and wastewater projects.
• Develop scope and bid breakdown packages for trade partners.
• Analyze plans to identify cost drivers, risks, and VE opportunities.
• Collaborate with engineers, PMs, and subcontractors to align estimates with design intent.
• Negotiate subcontractor and supplier quotations for competitive pricing.
• Maintain historical cost data for future estimating.
• Support GMP development and preconstruction budgeting.

Skills

Estimating

Cost control

Procore

MS Excel

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field

Tools

Procore

MS Project

Job description

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Fountain Valley, CA, US

14 days ago Requisition ID: 1005

Salary Range: $130,000.00 To $170,000.00 Annually

Department: Design-Build Construction
Reports To: Director of Design-Build
Classification: Exempt
Normal Business Hours: Approx. 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday
Prepared Date: 08/13/2025
Assigned Location: Fountain Valley Office
Travel: Occasional travel to project sites or partner offices as required

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.