Estimator - HVAC

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

Job summary

Cogent Talent Solutions is seeking an Estimator for commercial plumbing projects in Texas. You will manage bid pipelines, develop complete estimates, and protect margins in dynamic markets.

Responsibilities include detailed quantity takeoffs, labor projections, pricing, and preparing formal bid proposals. The role requires 8+ years in commercial plumbing/HVAC estimating and strong communication under deadline pressure.

Qualifications

• Must have strong analytical rigor and attention to detail.
• Able to work under strict deadlines with independent judgment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to enforce discipline without formal authority.

Responsibilities

• Bid pipeline development and governance across approved channels.
• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs and labor projections for estimates.
• Price materials, fixtures, equipment, and subcontracted work with current supplier data.
• Identify scope gaps, exclusions, clarifications, and assumptions in bids.
• Handoff awarded projects with complete, standardized documentation to operations.

Skills

High analytical rigor and attention to

Independent judgment under deadline

Clear written and verbal communication

Enforce 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