Estimator - Preconstruction for Healthcare & Education

S+B James Construction; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Discretionary bonus program

Company-sponsored events

Referral bonuses

Company credit card

Holiday party with hotel

Job summary

S+B James Construction in Southern California is seeking an Estimator to join our Preconstruction team. You will develop accurate estimates from concept through final bid, collaborating with clients, design teams, trade partners, suppliers, and internal teams to evaluate scope, costs, and risks.

Ideal candidate has strong commercial construction knowledge with healthcare/DSA/K-12 estimating experience preferred, and the ability to read drawings, perform takeoffs, and build competitive bids.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in CM, Civil Eng, Arch, or related field; or equivalent construction experience
• Commercial estimating, preconstruction, or project engineering experience
• HCAI/OSHPD healthcare and/or DSA K-12 estimating experience preferred
• Strong knowledge of construction means, methods, sequencing, and costs
• Experience with conceptual estimating, takeoffs, hard bids, design-build
• Ability to read and interpret drawings, specs, and contracts
• Experience soliciting and analyzing subcontractor proposals
• Strong analytical, mathematical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Attention to detail with ability to manage multiple priorities
• Strong written and verbal communication with teams
• Proficiency in Excel, Bluebeam, takeoff software, BIM tools

Responsibilities

• Review project plans, specs, addenda, and docs to understand scope
• Prepare quantity takeoffs and pricing for labor, materials, equipment, and costs
• Develop conceptual, schematic, GMP, negotiated, design-build, and hard-bid estimates
• Evaluate documents for scope gaps, cost risks, and opportunities
• Maintain estimates throughout design with cost comparisons and VE options
• Evaluate site logistics, sequencing, schedules, productivity, costs
• Participate in estimate reviews and bid-day activities for accuracy
• Develop bid packages, scopes, RFQs/RFPs, and subcontractor docs
• Solicit and analyze trade partner proposals for competitiveness
• Build relationships with trade partners, suppliers, clients, and teams
• Communicate estimate assumptions, exclusions, risks to teams
• Collaborate with Operations to transition projects to Ops
• Participate in client meetings and project pursuits as needed
• Lead preconstruction on complex projects and mentor junior staff

Skills

Estimating

Preconstruction

Reading drawings

Communication

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in CM/CE/Arch

Tools

Bluebeam

Takeoff software

BIM tools

Excel

Construction management platforms

Job description

S+B James Construction in Southern California is seeking an Estimator to join our Preconstruction team. You will develop accurate estimates from concept through final bid, collaborating with clients, design teams, trade partners, suppliers, and internal teams to evaluate scope, costs, and risks.

Ideal candidate has strong commercial construction knowledge with healthcare/DSA/K-12 estimating experience preferred, and the ability to read drawings, perform takeoffs, and build competitive bids.