Estimator, Commercial HVAC

ABM; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Union Depot is seeking a hands-on HVAC Estimator with strong mechanical field knowledge to support our sales and project teams. This role involves developing estimates for equipment replacements, retrofits, and system additions—often without engineered drawings or a fully defined scope.

The ideal candidate will walk into buildings to assess existing systems, determine mechanical/electrical/logistical requirements, and translate them into detailed scopes, budgets, and cost estimates for HVAC

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in commercial HVAC estimating, design-build, or project management.
• Strong knowledge of HVAC equipment (RTUs, AHUs, chillers, boilers, pumps, VAVs, controls, etc.).
• Experience with site walks to develop estimates with minimal design information.
• Experience with retrofit, renovation, and replacement projects.
• Understanding of installation sequencing, rigging, and logistics.
• Proficiency with Excel/Bluebeam or estimating software.

Responsibilities

• Conduct site assessments to evaluate existing mechanical systems and identify replacement or upgrade options.
• Develop detailed scopes of work, budgets, and cost estimates for HVAC projects, including equipment, materials, and labor.
• Work closely with sales, service, and project teams to define project requirements and align cost and scope.
• Provide conceptual design guidance for new system installations where no drawings exist.
• Analyze alternative solutions (—good/better/best— options) for customers seeking performance or efficiency upgrades.
• Coordinate with vendors and subcontractors to obtain pricing and validate equipment selections.
• Support proposal development by preparing scope narratives and clarifying inclusions/exclusions.
• Collaborate with operations to confirm constructability and resource requirements.

Skills

HVAC estimating

on-site assessment

budgeting & cost estimation

cross-functional collaboration

Excel/Bluebeam

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Bluebeam

Estimating software

Job description

We are seeking ahands-on HVAC Estimatorwith strong mechanical field knowledge to support our sales and project teams. This individual will develop estimates forequipment replacements, retrofits, and system additions—often without the benefit of engineered drawings or a fully defined scope. This is not a traditional “takeoff” estimator role. The ideal candidate can walk into a building, assess an existing system, and determine what it will take—mechanically, electrically, and logistically—to replace or add HVAC systems in commercial environments.

Pay: $120,000 – $140,000 annually. The pay listed is the salary range for this position. Any specific offer will vary based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, skills, abilities, geographic location, and alignment with market data. You may be eligible to participate in a Company incentive or bonus program.

• Conductsite assessmentsto evaluate existing mechanical systems and identify replacement or upgrade options.
• Develop detailedscopes of work, budgets, and cost estimatesfor HVAC projects, including equipment, materials, and labor.
• Work closely withsales, service, and project teamsto define project requirements and align cost and scope.
• Provideconceptual design guidancefor new system installations where no drawings exist.
• Analyze alternative solutions (“good/better/best” options) for customers seeking performance or efficiency upgrades.
• Coordinate withvendors and subcontractorsto obtain pricing and validate equipment selections.
• Support proposal development by preparing scope narratives and clarifying inclusions/exclusions.
• Collaborate with operations to confirm constructability and resource requirements.

Qualifications

• 5+ yearsof experience in commercial HVAC estimating, design-build, or project management.
• Strong knowledge of HVAC equipment (RTUs, AHUs, chillers, boilers, pumps, VAVs, controls, etc.).
• Demonstrated ability todevelop estimates from site walkswith minimal design information.
• Experience withretrofit, renovation, and replacementprojects (not just new construction).
• Understanding ofmechanical installation sequencing, rigging, and logistics.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Bluebeam, and/or estimating software.