Estimator

Hatzel & Buehler, Inc.; Middle River, Northern (MD, KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

401(k) matching

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Vision insurance

Job summary

Bluestone Communications is seeking an Estimator to manage the low voltage estimating process from start to finish for commercial projects, producing comprehensive bid estimates and guiding tender submissions.

You will use Accubid and online bid portals, review project plans, analyze quotes, and collaborate with the Branch Manager, engineers, and development managers to justify final estimates and secure competitive pricing.

Qualifications

• Proficient with estimating software such as Accubid and online bid portals.
• Experience estimating low voltage components of commercial projects.
• Strong analytical and cost negotiation skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Ability to review complex plans and specifications.
• Detail-oriented with ability to justify final estimates.

Responsibilities

• Produce precise estimates of material and labor costs for low voltage elements.
• Prepare and send out accurate low voltage estimates and tender documentation.
• Analyze quotes for costs and margins, using negotiation skills.
• Evaluate technical requirements and estimating costs to determine prices and margins.
• Create and deliver estimates/quotations to potential customers.
• Collaborate with Branch Manager, Subcontractors, Engineers, and Development Managers.
• Utilize estimating software such as Accubid and online bid portals for final submissions.
• Review project plans and specifications.
• Review quotes and estimates with Branch Manager and Pre-Construction Manager, preparing recommendations.
• Identify escalation factors in the marketplace affecting materials and labor rates.
• Actively compare and analyze competitive bids after submittal.
• Substantiate all aspects of final estimates to ensure accuracy.

Skills

Estimating experience

Low voltage estimating

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Plan review

Education

CQE certification

Tools

Accubid

Online bid portals

Job description

The Estimator is responsible for managing the low voltage estimating process from beginning to end and producing comprehensive bid estimates for commercial construction projects. In this role, you will demonstrate your construction cost estimating techniques and knowledge in quantity takeoffs, as you complete the entire bid from the beginning to the completion of the tender.

Key Responsibilities

• Cost Estimation: Produce precise estimates of material and labor costs for the low voltage elements of projects.
• Tender Documentation: Prepare and send out accurate low voltage estimates and tender documentation.
• Quote Analysis: Analyze all received quotes for low voltage materials and labor costs, utilizing negotiation skills to achieve optimal value.
• Technical Evaluation: Evaluate technical requirements and estimating costs to determine prices and margins for low voltage equipment.
• Customer Quotations: Create and deliver estimates/quotations to potential customers, ensuring alignment with both customer needs and business requirements.
• Collaboration: Work closely with Branch Manager, Subcontractors, Engineers, and Development Managers during the estimating/tender process to build strong working relationships.
• Estimating Software: Utilize estimating software such as Accubid and online bid portals for final submissions.
• Bid Evaluation: Evaluate bid opportunities, liaise with potential clients, and work within project deadlines to produce accurate electrical estimates.
• Project Plans: Review and understand all project plans, requirements, and specifications.
• Review and Recommendations: Review quotes and estimates with Branch Manager and Pre-Construction Manager, preparing recommendations for resolving project risks.
• Market Factors: Identify and report on escalation factors in the marketplace affecting materials and labor rates.
• Bid Analysis: Actively compare and analyze competitive subcontract and supplier bids after submittal.
• Estimate Justification: Substantiate all aspects of final estimates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Qualifications

• Proficiency with estimating software, such as Accubid, and experience with online bid portals required
• Relevant certifications (e.g., CQE) are a plus.
• Proven experience in estimating, particularly for low voltage components of projects.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to evaluate and negotiate costs effectively.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build and maintain relationships with stakeholders.
• Ability to review and understand complex project plans and specifications.
• Detail-oriented with the capability to substantiate and justify all aspects of final estimates.

Work Environment: This job is fully in person, on site.

Salary: $110,000 - $130,000 DOE

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Equal Employment Opportunity

BLUESTONE COMMUNICATIONS provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, BLUESTONE COMMUNICATIONS complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. BLUESTONE COMMUNICATIONS expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of BLUESTONE COMMUNICATIONS’s employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Applicants as well as employees who are or become disabled must be able to perform the essential job functions either unaided or with reasonable accommodation. The organization shall determine reasonable accommodation on a case‑by‑case basis in accordance with applicable law.