Estimator

Merit General Contractors; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Merit General Contractors is seeking an experienced Estimator to develop accurate bids for commercial construction from concept through final negotiation. You will analyze drawings, specs, and market data to price projects and identify risks before construction begins.

The role requires collaboration with owners, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and Merit’s Operations team to build bid strategies, scopes of work, value engineering options, and comprehensive estimate summaries.

Qualifications

• Proficient in estimating commercial construction projects; ability to read plans and specs.
• Strong analytical, mathematical, organizational, communication, and negotiation skills.
• OSHA 30 or equivalent preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepare conceptual, schematic design, design development, GMP, negotiated, and competitive bid estimates.
• Review drawings, specifications, narratives, geotechnical reports, addenda, and other bid documents for scope and risk.
• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs and develop pricing by CSI division, system, area, or project phase.
• Develop comprehensive subcontractor and supplier bid packages with clearly defined scopes of work.
• Solicit qualified subcontractors and suppliers and maintain adequate bid coverage for each trade.
• Conduct detailed scope leveling of subcontractor proposals to identify exclusions, overlaps, gaps, qualifications, and inconsistencies.
• Develop general conditions, general requirements, staffing, logistics, temporary facilities, insurance, bonds, fees, and other project costs.
• Prepare allowances, alternates, unit prices, clarifications, assumptions, and exclusions.
• Identify constructability issues, schedule risks, long-lead items, escalation exposure, and other cost risks.
• Develop and evaluate value engineering and cost-reduction options without compromising project objectives.
• Maintain current knowledge of local labor, material, subcontractor, and market pricing.
• Maintain historical cost databases and incorporate completed-project cost information into future estimates.
• Coordinate with Operations and field leadership to validate means, methods, logistics, schedule, staffing, and constructability assumptions.
• Participate in pre-bid meetings, site visits, subcontractor meetings, owner interviews, and proposal presentations.
• Prepare estimate summaries and clearly communicate pricing strategy, risks, and opportunities to leadership.
• Support contract scope reconciliation and final pricing negotiations following selection.
• Lead a complete turnover of estimate scope, buyout assumptions, risks, alternates, and commitments to the project team.
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, design teams, and clients.

Skills

Excel for estimating

Procore

Bluebeam

Estimating software

Microsoft Project

Education

Bachelors in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field

Tools

Estimating software

Takeoff software

Cost databases

Job description

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The Estimator is responsible for developing accurate, competitive, and comprehensive cost estimates for commercial construction projects from conceptual planning through final bid or negotiated contract. The Estimator analyzes drawings, specifications, design information, market conditions, subcontractor proposals, and historical cost data to establish reliable project pricing and identify risks before construction begins.

Working closely with owners, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and Merit’s Operations team, the Estimator develops bid strategies, scopes of work, bid packages, value engineering options, allowances, clarifications, and estimate summaries. This position is expected to build strong subcontractor participation, identify scope gaps, evaluate alternate systems, and clearly communicate assumptions and risks. The Estimator also supports project interviews, proposal preparation, and turnover to Operations following award. Success in this role is measured by estimate accuracy, bid coverage, competitiveness, profitable project awards, effective risk identification, and a complete turnover that positions the project team for successful execution.

• Prepare conceptual, schematic design, design development, GMP, negotiated, and competitive bid estimates.
• Review drawings, specifications, narratives, geotechnical reports, addenda, and other bid documents for scope and risk.
• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs and develop pricing by CSI division, system, area, or project phase.
• Develop comprehensive subcontractor and supplier bid packages with clearly defined scopes of work.
• Solicit qualified subcontractors and suppliers and maintain adequate bid coverage for each trade.
• Conduct detailed scope leveling of subcontractor proposals to identify exclusions, overlaps, gaps, qualifications, and inconsistencies.
• Develop general conditions, general requirements, staffing, logistics, temporary facilities, insurance, bonds, fees, and other project costs.
• Prepare allowances, alternates, unit prices, clarifications, assumptions, and exclusions.
• Identify constructability issues, schedule risks, long-lead items, escalation exposure, and other cost risks.
• Develop and evaluate value engineering and cost-reduction options without compromising project objectives.
• Maintain current knowledge of local labor, material, subcontractor, and market pricing.
• Maintain historical cost databases and incorporate completed-project cost information into future estimates.
• Coordinate with Operations and field leadership to validate means, methods, logistics, schedule, staffing, and constructability assumptions.
• Participate in pre-bid meetings, site visits, subcontractor meetings, owner interviews, and proposal presentations.
• Prepare estimate summaries and clearly communicate pricing strategy, risks, and opportunities to leadership.
• Support contract scope reconciliation and final pricing negotiations following selection.
• Lead a complete turnover of estimate scope, buyout assumptions, risks, alternates, and commitments to the project team.
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, design teams, and clients.

Technical Skills

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, with strong Excel skills for estimating, analysis, comparisons, and reporting.
• Proficient with Procore or able to effectively use Procore for project and preconstruction information.
• Proficient with Bluebeam for drawing review, takeoffs, markups, and document comparison.
• Experience with commercial construction estimating and takeoff software.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Project sufficient to understand project durations, phasing, logistics, and schedule-related cost impacts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field preferred.
• 5+ years of commercial construction estimating or preconstruction experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of commercial construction systems, means and methods, and subcontractor scopes.
• Ability to read and interpret plans, specifications, contracts, and technical documents.
• Strong analytical, mathematical, organizational, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple estimates and deadlines while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
• OSHA 30 or equivalent preferred.

Performance Expectations

• Estimates are complete, accurate, well-supported, and delivered on time.
• Bid coverage is sufficient to establish competitive market pricing and reduce scope risk.
• Scope gaps, exclusions, allowances, and project risks are identified before bid submission.
• Estimate-to-buyout and estimate-to-final-cost variances remain within established company expectations.
• Value engineering options are practical, clearly priced, and aligned with client objectives.
• Project turnover provides Operations with a complete understanding of scope, assumptions, risks, and commitments.
• Subcontractor relationships and participation continue to strengthen.
• Estimating efforts contribute to profitable project awards consistent with company strategy.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work primarily in an office environment and periodically visit active construction sites.
• Ability to walk project sites, climb stairs, and navigate uneven terrain while wearing required PPE.
• Ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds occasionally.
• Primarily office-based with periodic project-site visits, pre-bid meetings, and client meetings.
• Deadline-driven environment requiring management of multiple pursuits simultaneously.
• Occasional extended hours may be required to meet bid and proposal deadlines.
• PPE is required when visiting active construction sites.

Core Values & Competencies

• Act with integrity and professionalism in every decision and interaction.
• Put safety first and actively support a culture in which everyone is responsible for safe execution.
• Take ownership of commitments and remain accountable for results.
• Communicate openly, directly, respectfully, and in a timely manner.
• Build trust with clients, teammates, design partners, subcontractors, and the communities in which Merit works.
• Seek better ways to plan, communicate, build, and serve through continuous improvement.
• Support team development and share knowledge that strengthens the organization.
• Represent Merit with pride and protect the company’s reputation.
• Demonstrate humility by remaining open to feedback, recognizing the contributions of others, and putting the success of the team and project ahead of individual recognition.
• Promote collaboration by working across teams, disciplines, and project partners to solve problems, share information, and achieve the best overall outcome.
• Bring and continuously develop expertise by applying strong technical knowledge, sound judgment, lessons learned, and industry best practices to improve project and company performance.