Estimator

Kent Companies, Inc.; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly pay

PTO (Paid Time Off)

Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage

Retirement plans with employer-matching

Job summary

Kent Companies, Inc. is seeking an Estimator to prepare accurate time, cost, and labor estimates for various construction projects. Responsibilities include managing the CRM system, preparing detailed proposals, and collaborating closely with clients and team members. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree or significant estimating experience, coupled with strong communication skills and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

This position offers competitive compensation and benefits in a dynamic work environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in construction management preferred.
• 5+ years of commercial concrete, flooring, or construction estimating experience.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare time, cost, and labor estimates for projects.
• Manage the CRM to ensure accurate information.
• Collect information from customers for bidding.

Skills

Estimating

Communication

Problem-solving

Organization

Self-motivation

Education

Bachelor's degree in construction management or related field

5+ years of commercial concrete or construction estimating experience

Tools

CRM systems (Cosential)

Spreadsheet software

Word processing software

Job description

Career Opportunities with Kent Companies

Summary

The Estimator is responsible for preparing accurate time, cost, and labor estimates for assigned projects by applying knowledge of specialized methodologies, techniques, principles, and/or processes. The Estimator is also responsible for assembling bid proposals and following up with clients to identify and overcome obstacles that prevent Kent Companies from being awarded the contract.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage the CRM (Cosential) daily to ensure all information is accurate and up to date for clients in the pre-bid and bid phase.
• Utilize the CRM to store all notes and strategies for longer lead projects.
• Convey bidding/not bidding intent on each project to the customer after the Division Manager decides to bid or not bid.
• Collect pertinent information from the customer on projects the Division Manager elects to bid on, including the start date, phasing/sequence, logistics, and buyout/contract date.
• Review contractual requirements with supervisors and develop plans for the project's construction, which will be utilized as the basis of the cost-estimating process.
• Review specifications (products, requirements, mix designs, waterproofing, etc.)
• Review drawings (structural, architectural, and civil) and determine floor levels, discrepancies, site access, concrete vs. gypcrete, the correct quantity of buildings, floors, etc.)
• Ensure accuracy and completeness of all estimates and proposals.
• Accurately quantify all items in the scope, create the estimate accounting for all labor aspects of the scope of work, and back-check vs. historical data. Include correct alternates, general conditions, input valid vendor and subcontractor pricing, and proper labor production and wage rates aligned with the bid strategy.
• Identify competitive edge and risks to each project; communicate and evaluate with the Division Manager.
• Prepare accurate, comprehensive proposals, including site mobilizations, durations, and logistics.
• Develops and provides any possible value engineering (VE) items, a complete list of exclusions, and all required documentation for submission.
• Follow up with each customer the next business day to gather feedback on pricing and scope (postmortem), promote the Kent differentiators, and request a meeting with each customer to discuss how Kent can provide value to the project.
• Participate in the post-bid interview when requested by the Division Manager to provide accurate details about the scope, sequence, expectations, and exclusions.
• Prepare the project for hand-off by creating the correct project folder and all project-related documents, including all documents, communications (notes, emails, etc.), and updated estimates.
• Review the estimate, drawings, specs, and sequence with the team and communicate all appropriate information, including risk, opportunity, customer requests, etc.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties and Responsibilities are not comprehensive and can be changed at any time, with or without notice.

Required Experience, Education, and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (construction management preferred) or 5+ years of commercial concrete, flooring, or other construction estimating experience.
• Creative and results-oriented, with a strong sense of urgency and self-motivation.
• Proficient in word processing, spreadsheets, and scheduling.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, with an adaptable and flexible style in working with all types of individuals.
• Ability to work with little supervision while achieving steady production with accurate results.
• Must be willing to travel to our other offices, including Grand Rapids, Michigan, as needed.
• Valid driver’s license
• Must have reliable transportation to the workplace(s)/ job location(s).
• Ability to pass drug screening.
• Must be able to work in the United States without corporate sponsorship now and in the future.

Preferred education and experience

A bachelor’s degree in construction management is preferred; a combination of education and experience will be considered. The ideal candidate would have at least three years of experience.

Benefits

Kent Companies provides its employees with one of the most competitive compensation and benefits packages in the construction industry. Benefits vary by location, with a fully customized benefits package presented upon hire. Typical benefits packages include:

• Weekly pay
• PTO (Paid Time Off)
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Supplemental insurance options
• Retirement plans with discretionary employer-matching
• Holiday pay (New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day)

Perks associated with this role

Our goal is to offer an unparalleled career progression that is not precisely pre-determined; rather, it builds on the teammate’s strengths, interests, and pursuits as the individual gains experience, grows, and develops in their career. You would be hard-pressed to find another ENR Top 6 Commercial Concrete Company that parallels Kent Companies.

Work Environment/Physical Demand

This position works in an office environment and occasionally travels to the field to supervise projects as required. This position requires long periods of sitting and routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and photocopiers.

Position type, travel, and expected hours of work

This is a full-time office position. Typical hours will range from 45-50 hours per week (7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) and are subject to change. This role requires working nontypical days and irregular hours based on construction schedules. Due to the critical nature of the role, accepting phone calls even during nontypical workdays and hours is also necessary. Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-area and overnight travel may be expected.