Estimator

Appleton Finn; Ohio; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based bonuses

Profit-sharing opportunities

Long-term career progression

High value projects

Job summary

Appleton Finn is seeking an experienced Estimator to join our established general building contracting team, delivering a diverse portfolio of commercial and complex projects.

The successful candidate will develop accurate cost estimates, review drawings and bid documents, perform quantity takeoffs, and support competitive submissions across healthcare, education, offices, data centres, and manufacturing sectors. Strong analytical and collaboration skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in an Estimator role with a general building contractor or commercial construction company.
• Strong knowledge of commercial construction methods, materials and sequencing.
• Experience estimating ground-up construction, renovations or complex projects.
• Ability to interpret drawings, specifications and contract documents.
• Proven experience with quantity takeoffs, subcontractor procurement and cost analysis.
• Strong numerical, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Proficiency with construction estimating software and Excel.

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed and accurate cost estimates for commercial and general building projects.
• Review drawings, specifications and bid documents to establish requirements.
• Conduct quantity takeoffs and calculate material, labour, equipment and subcontractor costs.
• Obtain and analyse subcontractor and supplier quotations.
• Develop bid proposals, budgets and cost breakdowns.
• Identify risks, scope gaps, cost-saving opportunities and value engineering.
• Collaborate with project managers, superintendents and design teams during estimating.
• Assist with bid strategy, pricing reviews and tender submissions.
• Maintain relationships with subcontractors and suppliers.
• Monitor market conditions, material pricing and labour costs.
• Support handovers to operations after bid awards.
• Manage multiple estimating assignments with deadlines and accuracy.

Skills

Estimating

Takeoffs

Cost analysis

Excel

Bid proposals

Communication

Collaboration

Preconstruction

Tools

Estimating software

Microsoft Excel

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Estimator to join an established general building contractor delivering a diverse portfolio of commercial and complex building projects.

The successful candidate will play a key role in the preconstruction process, developing accurate cost estimates, analysing project requirements and supporting competitive bid submissions.

This position offers the opportunity to work across a range of sectors, including healthcare, education, commercial offices, data centres, mission critical facilities, advanced manufacturing and other complex commercial and industrial developments.

The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of general building construction, excellent analytical skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with preconstruction, operations and project management teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed and accurate cost estimates for commercial and general building construction projects.
• Review construction drawings, specifications, bid documents and project scopes to establish project requirements.
• Conduct quantity takeoffs and calculate material, labour, equipment and subcontractor costs.
• Obtain, review and analyse subcontractor and supplier quotations.
• Develop comprehensive bid proposals, budgets and cost breakdowns.
• Identify potential risks, scope gaps, cost-saving opportunities and value engineering alternatives.
• Collaborate with project managers, superintendents, design teams and preconstruction personnel during the estimating process.
• Assist with bid strategy development, pricing reviews and tender submissions.
• Maintain relationships with subcontractors, suppliers and other key industry stakeholders.
• Monitor market conditions, material pricing and labour costs to support accurate estimating.
• Support project handovers to operations teams following successful bid awards.
• Manage multiple estimating assignments while meeting deadlines and maintaining a high level of accuracy.

Qualifications & Experience

• Previous experience in an Estimator role with a general building contractor or commercial construction company.
• Strong knowledge of commercial construction methods, materials, building systems and construction sequencing.
• Experience estimating ground‑up construction, renovations, expansions or complex building projects.
• Ability to interpret architectural, structural and MEP drawings, specifications and contract documents.
• Proven experience with quantity takeoffs, subcontractor procurement and cost analysis.
• Strong numerical, analytical, organisational and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Proficiency with construction estimating software and Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively within a deadline‑driven environment.

Preferred Experience

Experience estimating projects in one or more of the following sectors is advantageous:

• Healthcare and hospital construction.
• Data centres and mission critical facilities.
• Advanced manufacturing and industrial buildings.
• Higher education and institutional construction.
• Commercial offices and mixed‑use developments.
• Life sciences, laboratories and other technically complex facilities.

Experience with conceptual estimating, design‑build delivery, negotiated projects and value engineering would also be beneficial.

• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Commercial awareness and cost control.
• Strong subcontractor and supplier relationship management.
• Effective communication and teamwork.
• Ability to identify risks and develop practical solutions.
• A proactive approach to preconstruction and continuous improvement.
• Highly competitive salary package, tailored to experience and qualifications.
• Performance‑based bonuses rewarding individual contribution and overall company performance.
• Potential profit‑sharing opportunities, allowing employees to share in the company's success.
• Long‑term career progression within an established and growing general building contractor.
• Opportunity to contribute to high‑value, complex construction projects with strong earning potential as the business continues to grow.