Estimator

Burnett Specialists Staffing | Recruiting; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Burnett Specialists Staffing | Recruiting is seeking an experienced Estimator in Phoenix, AZ to develop accurate and competitive estimates for proposals, change work, budgets, and final bids. You will guide projects from initial review through bid submission and lead estimates when assigned.

The role requires strong skills in evaluating drawings, takeoffs, subcontractor pricing, and understanding regional market conditions, with cross-functional collaboration across Preconstruction, Project

Qualifications

• Experience in developing General Contractor Lump Sum estimates.
• Ability to review drawings, specs, and construction documents to produce accurate estimates.
• Strong knowledge of regional construction markets and pricing.

Responsibilities

• Prepare General Contractor Lump Sum bids and proposals.
• Perform quantity takeoffs and evaluate subcontractor pricing.
• Collaborate with preconstruction, project management, and procurement teams.

Skills

Estimating

Bid management

Contract knowledge

Communication

Team collaboration

Tools

Takeoff 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.