Estimator - Construction

Cogent Talent Solutions; Lubbock (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Cogent Talent Solutions in Texas is seeking an experienced Estimator for commercial plumbing and HVAC projects. The role focuses on building complete, defensible, and profitable estimates, managing bid pipelines, and aligning with Sales to win disciplined, executable proposals.

Responsibilities include bid development, quantity takeoffs, pricing, risk documentation, and a formal handoff to operations after award.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of commercial plumbing or HVAC experience, including estimating.
• Experience estimating complex commercial construction projects.
• Knowledge of commercial plumbing/HVAC systems and construction means and methods.

Responsibilities

• Bid Pipeline Development & Governance: manage a controlled bid pipeline from approved channels.
• Estimating & Bid Development: produce complete, defensible, market-aligned estimates.
• Pricing, Margin & Market Risk Management: protect margins amid market dynamics.
• Sales Alignment & Pre-Bid Support: collaborate with Sales leadership and stakeholders.
• Project Handoff to Operations: deliver a formal handoff package on award.

Skills

High analytical rigor

Attention to detail

Independent judgment

Written and verbal communication

Deadline pressure management

Discipline without authority

Job description

The Estimator is accountable for the accuracy, completeness, defensibility, and profitability of all commercial plumbing estimates produced by the organization. This role functions as a core revenue-generation and margin-protection position, responsible for converting qualified bid opportunities into disciplined, competitive, and executable proposals.

Key Responsibilities

1. Bid Pipeline Development & Governance

The Estimator is accountable for managing a controlled and intentional bid pipeline sourced exclusively from two approved channels and governed by formal bid controls.

This includes accountability for:

• Developing estimates from inbound bid invitations received directly from General Contractors (GCs)
• Managing negotiated and relationship-based bid opportunities
• Proactively identifying bid opportunities through approved sourcing platforms (e.g., PlanHub, AGC sites, public bid portals)
• Screening all opportunities using documented bid/no-bid criteria
• Enforcing capacity, backlog, and risk constraints prior to pursuit
• Managing bid calendars, deadlines, addenda, and final submission timing
• Coordinating pursuit strategy and prioritization with the VP of Sales & Marketing

2. Estimating & Bid Development

The Estimator is accountable for producing complete, defensible, and market-aligned estimates.

This includes accountability for:

• Performing detailed quantity takeoffs for all commercial plumbing systems
• Developing labor projections using standardized productivity assumptions
• Pricing materials, fixtures, equipment, and subcontracted work using current supplier data
• Accounting for escalation, phasing, access constraints, and schedule impacts
• Identifying and documenting scope gaps, exclusions, clarifications, and assumptions
• Preparing bid proposals, scope letters, and qualifications in approved formats

3. Pricing, Margin & Market Risk Management

The Estimator is accountable for protecting margin in dynamic market conditions.

This includes accountability for:

• Maintaining current price books, supplier data, and labor modifiers
• Incorporating material volatility, labor availability, and escalation risk into estimates
• Validating estimates against historical job cost and profitability data
• Applying approved overhead, labor burden, and profit targets
• Escalating abnormal market conditions to Sales leadership

4. Sales Alignment & Pre-Bid Support

The Estimator is accountable for collaborating in a disciplined manner with Sales leadership and external stakeholders.

This includes accountability for:

• Participating in bid/no-bid and pricing strategy discussions
• Responding to GC inquiries, addenda, and clarification requests
• Supporting value engineering efforts without compromising margin or scope
• Ensuring all pre-award commitments are documented and approved

5. Project Handoff to Operations

The Estimator is accountable for a formal, standardized transition of awarded projects.

This includes accountability for delivering a complete handoff package consisting of:

• Final estimate summary
• Labor budgets and productivity assumptions
• Material pricing assumptions and supplier commitments
• Exclusions, clarifications, and scope qualifications
• Documented risk items and constraints

Qualifications

Experience

• Minimum 8 years of commercial Plumbing or HVAC experience, including estimating
• Demonstrated success in estimating complex commercial construction projects

Knowledge

• Commercial Plumbing systems, HVAC systems, and construction means and methods
• Job costing, labor productivity, and market pricing dynamics
• Competitive, negotiated, and alternative delivery bid environments

Skills

• High analytical rigor and attention to detail
• Independent judgment under deadline pressure
• Clear written and verbal communication
• Ability to enforce discipline without positional authority

$90,000 - $110,000 a year