Estimator

Burnett Specialists Staffing | Recruiting; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Burnett Specialists Staffing | Recruiting in Phoenix, AZ seeks an experienced Estimator for a growing construction firm. You will develop accurate lump-sum bids, review drawings, and prepare budgets from concept to final bid.

You will coordinate with preconstruction, management, and trade partners, perform quantity takeoffs, negotiate with subs, and ensure proposals meet project requirements and bid deadlines.

Qualifications

• 5–10 years of construction estimating experience.
• Experience preparing General Contractor Lump Sum bids.
• Experience independently managing estimates from initial bid documents through final bid submission.
• Experience estimating projects in multiple regions of the United States.
• Strong understanding of regional differences in labor, markets, material costs, and pricing.
• Experience estimating waste-to-energy, heavy industrial, RNG, LNG projects.

Responsibilities

• Prepare General Contractor lump sum bids for assigned opportunities.
• Review drawings, specs, and construction documents to develop estimates.
• Develop budgets and ROM estimates from conceptual design through final documents.
• Prepare conceptual budgets, ROM estimates, and final Lump Sum proposals.
• Develop bid scopes and trade packages to define subcontractor responsibilities.
• Perform quantity takeoffs using estimating tools.
• Solicit competitive pricing from subcontractors, vendors, and suppliers.
• Identify exclusions, scope gaps, and financial risks in subcontractor proposals.
• Negotiate with subcontractors and suppliers for competitive pricing.
• Develop pricing for labor, materials, equipment, and overhead.
• Collaborate with Preconstruction, Project Management, Engineering, and Business Development teams.

Skills

Construction estimating

Bid development

Quantity takeoffs

Subcontractor negotiation

Regional market knowledge

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Tools

On-screen takeoff software

Estimating software

Job description

Estimator

An excellent general contractor is looking to hire a Construction Estimator. The role is open due to growth and will develop accurate and competitive estimates for project proposals, change work, conceptual budgets, and construction opportunities. The Estimator will assist with and, when assigned, lead project estimates from initial review through final bid submission.

Estimator Responsibilities:

• Manage and prepare General Contractor Lump Sum bids for assigned construction opportunities.
• Review drawings, specifications, conceptual and schematic designs, construction documents, addenda, bid instructions, and other project information to develop complete and accurate estimates.
• Develop detailed estimates from conceptual design through final construction documents.
• Prepare conceptual budgets, ROM estimates, detailed estimates, control estimates, and final Lump Sum proposals.
• Develop comprehensive bid scopes and trade packages that clearly define subcontractor responsibilities.
• Perform quantity takeoffs using on-screen takeoff software and other estimating tools.
• Solicit competitive pricing from qualified subcontractors, vendors, suppliers, and equipment providers.
• Obtain and evaluate multiple competitive proposals for each bid package whenever possible.
• Perform detailed subcontractor bid leveling to confirm that proposals are complete and consistent with drawings, specifications, bid scopes, and project requirements.
• Identify exclusions, qualifications, allowances, assumptions, scope gaps, overlaps, and potential financial risks within subcontractor proposals.
• Negotiate with subcontractors and suppliers to obtain competitive pricing and favorable commercial terms.
• Develop pricing for labor, materials, equipment, subcontractors, general conditions, logistics, insurance, bonds, escalation, contingency, overhead, and other project costs.
• Understand the financial impact of fee, margin, contingency, escalation, and project risk when developing Lump Sum pricing.
• Apply knowledge of regional construction markets when estimating projects throughout the United States, including differences in labor rates, subcontractor availability, material costs, transportation, logistics, and local market conditions.
• Maintain current knowledge of construction costs, subcontractor markets, material pricing, industry trends, and regional economic conditions.
• Identify potential estimating and construction risks and communicate those risks to the Preconstruction Manager and project leadership.
• Participate in bid reviews and provide clear explanations of estimate assumptions, pricing, risks, subcontractor coverage, and recommended contingencies.
• Assist in preparing proposals and supporting documentation for clients and business development opportunities.
• Participate in project turnover meetings to ensure estimating assumptions, subcontractor pricing, scope commitments, and project risks are effectively communicated to the construction team.
• Conduct project site visits when necessary to evaluate existing conditions, logistics, access, constructability, and other factors affecting project cost.
• Collaborate with Preconstruction, Project Management, Engineering, and Business Development teams.
• Establish and maintain professional working relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, consultants, architects, engineers, trade organizations, and other project stakeholders.
• Assist with subcontractor bonding requirements and procurement when required.
• Manage multiple estimates simultaneously while meeting established bid dates and internal review deadlines.

Estimator Qualifications:

• 5?10 years of construction estimating experience, preferably with a General Contractor.
• Demonstrated experience preparing General Contractor Lump Sum bids.
• Experience independently managing estimates from initial bid documents through final bid submission.
• Experience estimating construction projects in multiple regions of the United States.
• Strong understanding of regional differences in construction labor, subcontractor markets, material costs, logistics, and overall project pricing.
• Demonstrated experience estimating waste-to-energy, heavy industrial, RNG, LNG process, pipeline, industrial, and environmental projects.
• Ability to prepare ROM and conceptual estimates from limited drawings, conceptual sketches, narratives, or preliminary project information.
• Strong knowledge of construction drawings, specifications, contracts, scopes of work, and other technical and non-technical project documents.
• Strong understanding of subcontractor solicitation, scope development, bid leveling, and proposal evaluation.
• Ability to identify missing scope, exclusions, qualifications, overlaps, and potential financial exposure within subcontractor proposals.
• Ability to perform detailed quantity takeoffs using on-screen takeoff software.
• Strong financial and analytical skills with the ability to evaluate project costs, margins, contingencies, escalation, and estimating risk.
• Ability to negotiate effectively with subcontractors, suppliers, and vendors.
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple estimates based on bid dates, project complexity, workload, and company priorities.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing complete and accurate estimates.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Dependable, conscientious, organized, professional, and able to work effectively in a team environment.