Estimator

Talentify; Waterloo (IA); Hybrid; USD 48,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and R

Life Insurance

Disability insurance

Health Spending Account (HSA)

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick)

Job summary

Actalent is seeking an Estimator to develop accurate construction cost estimates for commercial projects from conceptual to detailed stages. The role involves reviewing designs, building budgets, and evaluating subcontractor proposals within a hybrid Waterloo, IA setting.

You will collaborate with project managers, apply historical cost data, and support value‑engineering efforts to deliver cost‑effective solutions. The team emphasizes organized documentation and clear communication.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of commercial estimating experience preferred, with consideration for 1–2 years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience preparing estimates for commercial construction projects.
• Hands‑on experience with estimating or takeoff software.
• Ability to develop budgets from incomplete or evolving design information.
• Strong understanding of construction estimation, bidding processes, and commercial construction practices.
• Proficiency in performing detailed quantity takeoffs and interpreting construction drawings.
• Capability to evaluate subcontractor and supplier proposals for scope coverage and cost accuracy.
• Effective collaboration skills to work with project managers and other team members.
• Strong organizational skills to maintain clear documentation and manage multiple concurrent estimates.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills to present assumptions, risks, and recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Prepare conceptual, schematic, permit-set, and detailed construction estimates for commercial projects.
• Review drawings and design documents to determine quantities, scope coverage, assumptions, exclusions, and project risks.
• Build and update project budgets as design information develops and evolves over time.
• Solicit, receive, and evaluate pricing from subcontractors and suppliers to ensure comprehensive trade coverage.
• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs and compare trade coverage across bids to identify gaps and overlaps.
• Collaborate closely with project managers to apply historical cost data and lessons learned from past projects to current estimates.
• Support value-engineering discussions by identifying practical cost alternatives and recommending cost-saving options.
• Maintain clear and organized estimate documentation, cost data, bid records, and vendor and subcontractor relationship information.
• Balance multiple estimating opportunities at once while meeting deadlines and clearly communicating priorities.
• Contribute to a collaborative team culture by sharing insights, best practices, and feedback on estimating processes.

Skills

Commercial estimating

Takeoff software

Education

Construction Management/Engineering/Architecture background

Tools

Estimating software

Job description

About this job

The Estimator plays a key role in developing accurate and timely construction cost estimates for commercial projects across a variety of sectors. This position prepares budgets at multiple design stages, evaluates subcontractor and supplier proposals, and supports value-engineering efforts to help deliver cost-effective solutions for clients. The role offers significant growth potential, including the opportunity to build and eventually lead an estimating team as the organization expands into new markets.

Responsibilities

• Prepare conceptual, schematic, permit-set, and detailed construction estimates for commercial projects.
• Review drawings and design documents to determine quantities, scope coverage, assumptions, exclusions, and project risks.
• Build and update project budgets as design information develops and evolves over time.
• Solicit, receive, and evaluate pricing from subcontractors and suppliers to ensure comprehensive trade coverage.
• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs and compare trade coverage across bids to identify gaps and overlaps.
• Collaborate closely with project managers to apply historical cost data and lessons learned from past projects to current estimates.
• Support value-engineering discussions by identifying practical cost alternatives and recommending cost-saving options.
• Maintain clear and organized estimate documentation, cost data, bid records, and vendor and subcontractor relationship information.
• Balance multiple estimating opportunities at once while meeting deadlines and clearly communicating priorities.
• Contribute to a collaborative team culture by sharing insights, best practices, and feedback on estimating processes.
• 3–5 years of commercial estimating experience preferred, with consideration for candidates who have 1–2 years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience preparing estimates for commercial construction projects.
• Hands‑on experience with estimating or takeoff software.
• Ability to develop budgets from incomplete or evolving design information.
• Strong understanding of construction estimation, bidding processes, and commercial construction practices.
• Proficiency in performing detailed quantity takeoffs and interpreting construction drawings.
• Capability to evaluate subcontractor and supplier proposals for scope coverage and cost accuracy.
• Effective collaboration skills to work with project managers and other team members.
• Strong organizational skills to maintain clear documentation and manage multiple concurrent estimates.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills to present assumptions, risks, and recommendations.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with QSR (quick service restaurant), medical, dental, retail, renovation, or repeat‑program construction projects is a plus.
• Education in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field is preferred but not required.
• Familiarity with commercial‑only general contracting environments.
• Comfort working in a negotiated work environment with repeat and referral clients.
• Ability to travel periodically to the Waterloo office if working in a hybrid or remote capacity.
• Interest in long‑term career growth, including the potential to build and lead an estimating team as the organization expands.

The preferred work location is the Waterloo office, with hybrid and remote arrangements considered for qualified candidates who can travel to Waterloo periodically. The Estimator will work in a collaborative environment supported by five experienced project managers who also participate in estimating. The organization operates as a commercial‑only general contractor focused primarily on negotiated work for repeat and referral clients. The project portfolio includes QSR, medical, dental, retail, and other commercial facilities throughout Iowa and the broader Midwest. The culture is family‑owned in feel, with a long operating history, strong client relationships, and a clear growth trajectory, including continued expansion in the Des Moines market and plans to open a Des Moines office in 2027.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Waterloo, IA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $35.00 - $45.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job‑related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre‑tax and Roth post‑tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long‑term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Waterloo,IA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 16, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News‑Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

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