Estimator – Commercial Signage & Construction

Port City Signs & Graphics; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 52,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Health savings account

Life and AD&D insurance

401(k) with employer match

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Port City Signs & Graphics in Wilmington, NC is seeking an estimator who is strong with numbers, highly analytical, and detail-oriented to develop accurate signage project costs. No signage experience required; we can teach signage while you learn the estimating process.

You’ll review plans, perform quantity takeoffs, and collaborate with design, production, and installation teams to deliver reliable estimates on a range of signage projects.

Qualifications

• Strong math and analytical skills to break down complex signage projects.
• Attention to quantities, specs, drawings and details.
• Strong organizational ability to manage multiple deadlines and follow-up needs.
• Proactive communication when information is incomplete or unclear.
• Willingness to learn products, technical information and systems.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate with a team.

Responsibilities

• Review construction plans, specs, drawings and documents to identify signage scope and perform quantity takeoffs.
• Develop estimates covering materials, labor, fabrication, printing, subcontractors, equipment, permitting and installation.
• Identify scope gaps, missing information, conflicts and pricing risks; develop exclusions and clarifications.
• Obtain vendor and subcontractor pricing; communicate with general contractors, architects, vendors and customers for clarification.
• Coordinate with design, production, fabrication, installation, sales and operations teams to develop accurate proposals and meet bid deadlines.
• Track active estimates and review completed project costs to improve estimating accuracy.

Skills

Strong math

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Organization

Communication

Proactive communication

Independent work

Willingness to learn

Tools

Bluebeam

Takeoff software

Construction bid platforms

Job description

$52,000–$71,000 per year, based on experience and demonstrated ability

About This Role

Port City Signs & Graphics is growing, and we’re looking for a smart, detail-oriented estimator to join our team in Wilmington.

You don’t need signage experience to be a strong candidate for this role. We can teach signage. What we do need is someone who is strong with numbers, thinks analytically, pays attention to details, and can work through complex problems methodically.

Just as important, you need to be organized, communicate well, ask questions when something isn’t clear, and be willing to learn how we develop reliable project costs.

What You’ll Do

You’ll estimate a wide range of commercial signage projects, from interior ADA and wayfinding packages to exterior signs, dimensional lettering, environmental graphics, monument signs, illuminated signage and larger commercial construction projects.

• Review construction plans, specifications, drawings and project documents to identify signage scope and perform quantity takeoffs.
• Develop accurate estimates covering materials, labor, fabrication, printing, subcontractors, equipment, permitting and installation.
• Identify scope gaps, missing information, conflicts and potential pricing risks, and develop assumptions, exclusions and clarification questions as needed.
• Obtain vendor and subcontractor pricing and communicate with general contractors, architects, vendors and customers when project clarification is needed.
• Coordinate with our design, production, fabrication, installation, sales and operations teams to develop accurate proposals and meet bid deadlines.
• Track active estimates and review completed project costs to continually improve estimating accuracy.

What We’re Looking For

• Strong math, analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to break complex projects into manageable pieces.
• Careful attention to quantities, specifications, drawings and details, including the ability to recognize when something doesn’t make sense.
• Strong organization and the ability to manage multiple details, deadlines and follow-up needs.
• Proactive communication and a willingness to ask questions when information is incomplete or unclear.
• An interest in understanding how things are fabricated, built and installed and a willingness to learn new products, technical information and systems.
• The ability to work independently while also collaborating with and learning from the people around you.

Your Experience Could Come From

Commercial signage experience is helpful, but it isn’t required.

Relevant experience could come from commercial construction estimating, general contractor or subcontractor estimating, architectural specialties, construction management, engineering, architecture or drafting, manufacturing or fabrication, preconstruction, construction administration, quantity takeoffs or another analytical or technical field requiring strong numerical reasoning and attention to detail.

Experience with construction plans, Bluebeam or other takeoff software, construction bid platforms, ADA signage, fabrication, installation, permitting or scope clarification is helpful, but not required.

If you’re highly analytical and mathematically strong but don’t have traditional estimating experience, we still encourage you to apply.

Why This Role Is Different

Commercial signage brings together construction, design, fabrication, printing, electrical components, permitting, installation and project coordination. One project might include hundreds of interior ADA signs, while another involves illuminated building signs, monuments, graphics, foundations, equipment rentals and complex installation conditions.

We don’t expect you to arrive knowing every product or material we use. We do expect strong analytical ability, curiosity, attention to detail and the discipline to work through a project carefully.

The goal is to become a trusted estimator who understands our customers, our capabilities and what it takes to move a project successfully from initial review through installation.

Why We Work In Person

Our work is hands-on and highly collaborative. As an estimator, you’ll regularly interact with the people who design, fabricate, produce and install what you’re estimating. That gives you the opportunity to understand the materials, processes and installation considerations behind the numbers.

We’re looking for someone who enjoys being part of that process and contributing to a team that takes pride in doing good work.

What We Offer

• Health, dental and vision insurance
• Health savings account
• Life and AD&D insurance
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Opportunity to develop expertise in a specialized commercial trade
• Long-term growth opportunity with room for compensation growth based on performance and increasing independence

About Port City Signs & Graphics

Port City Signs & Graphics is an established commercial sign company in Wilmington, NC. We design, fabricate, print and install interior and exterior signage, wayfinding systems, ADA signage, environmental graphics, vehicle graphics and custom branding solutions for businesses, institutions, contractors, developers and organizations throughout the region.