Estimator, Special Projects

Tarlton Corp; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Comprehensive benefits

STLMade culture

Job summary

Tarlton Corp in St. Louis, MO is seeking an experienced construction estimator to lead preconstruction and estimating for Special Projects clients.

You will collaborate with Owners, Architects, and Facility Managers to develop budgets and strategies for renovations, tenant improvements, and fast-track work. You will act as the primary client contact, build trusted relationships, and drive proposals, takeoffs, and pricing with advanced takeoff tools and Procore/Build platforms.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years (5+ preferred) of estimating/preconstruction experience.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain client relationships.
• Experience supporting negotiated work procurement and business development efforts.
• Strong presentation, communication, and customer service skills.
• Experience in renovation, occupied facility, and special projects construction preferred.
• Ability to independently manage multiple small and mid-sized opportunities simultaneously.
• Ability to develop conceptual estimates with limited or no plans or design documentation.
• Design-Build estimating experience favorable.

Responsibilities

• Deliver turnkey preconstruction and estimating services for Special Projects clients.
• Develop budgets and project strategies with Owners, Architects, Engineers, and Facility Managers.
• Serve as primary client contact for renovations, facility improvements, and small capital projects.
• Lead estimating efforts for renovation, tenant improvement, and fast-track projects.
• Prepare conceptual budgets and pricing for projects with limited design information.
• Review plans, specs, site conditions, and risks to develop budgets and mitigations.
• Perform site investigations and existing-condition assessments for budgeting.
• Coordinate with Owners, Architects, Engineers, Facilities, and Operations teams.
• Maintain databases, labor rates, material costs, and market intelligence.
• Support growth of the Special Projects portfolio with tailored preconstruction solutions.
• Coordinate with subcontractors and suppliers; contribute to proposals and presentations.
• Provide estimate-specific collaboration with other estimating and operations staff.
• Assist with lead generation and client capture plans.

Education

Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management degree

Tools

On-Screen Takeoff

Bluebeam Revu

Procore

Autodesk Build

Job description

This is anexciting opportunity for an experienced construction estimator who wants toleverage people skills alongside technical acumen, advancing a career with agrowing company while playing a key client-facing role in a fast-moving revenuesector. Tarlton's Special Projects Group delivers fast, efficient, andhigh-quality construction solutions to clients across all markets throughmaster service agreements and other strategic, client-centric contracting anddelivery methods. From small ongoing maintenance needs to facility upgrades toundefined, conceptual, and fast-track needs, we bring the flexibility andexpertise to plan, execute, and adapt without disrupting day-to-day operations.To learn more, visit the Special Projects Group page at tarltoncorp.com.

Why Tarlton

Tarlton is a St. Louis-based general contractor and construction manager specializing in complex, technically demanding projects across the Midwest. With deep regional roots and a reputation built on trust, teamwork, and repeat clients, we are known for taking on challenging work and delivering it safely, predictably, and with pride. We conduct our business with safety, quality, integrity, and enthusiasm—and our core values include building a safe and caring environment.

Your Role

Deliver turnkeypreconstruction and estimating services for Tarlton's Special Projects clients.Working alongside our operations teams, you will develop budgets and projectstrategies with Owners, Architects, Engineers, and Facility Managers, and serveas a primary point of contact for clients pursuing renovations, facilityimprovements, and small capital projects.

What You’ll Do

Client Relationships & Business Development

• Serve asa primary point of contact for existing and prospective clients pursuingspecial projects, renovations, facility improvements, and small capitalprojects.
• Buildand maintain trusted client relationships through regular communication,site visits, and proactive identification of future opportunities.
• Conductregular outreach to existing clients to identify upcoming projectopportunities and maintain strong customer relationships.
• Partnerwith Operations and Business Development teams to develop strategies forsecuring new and repeat business opportunities.
• Activelycontribute to the development and maintenance of a pipeline of active andprospective special project opportunities.
• Collaboratewith Business Development and Operations personnel on client capture plansand pursuit strategies.
• Assistwith lead generation efforts through networking, industry associations,client events, and market engagement activities.
• Participatein proposal preparation, qualifications packages, presentations, andproject interviews.
  Assistin development of marketing materials and project case studies supportingbusiness growth initiatives.
  
• Provideconceptual, negotiated, design-build, and hard-bid estimating services.
  Leadestimating efforts for renovation, tenant improvement, facilitymaintenance, infrastructure upgrades, and fast-track special projects.
• Developconceptual budgets and pricing for projects with limited designinformation and compressed timelines.
• Workclosely with Owners, Architects, Engineers, Facility Managers, andOperations teams to develop budgets and project strategies.
• Performsite investigations and existing-condition assessments to supportbudgeting and scope development.
• Preparecomplete detailed takeoffs, pricing, budget presentations, scopesummaries, and value engineering recommendations.
• Reviewplans, specifications, site conditions, and project risks to developaccurate budgets and mitigation strategies.
• Supportgrowth of the Special Projects portfolio by identifying client needs anddeveloping tailored preconstruction solutions.
  
• Interfacedirectly with customers and design professionals.
• Coordinatewith project management teams regarding general conditions, sequencing,duration, market feedback, and constructability.
• Managesubcontractor and supplier solicitation, scope reviews, and marketfeedback.
• Maintainestimating databases, tools, labor rates, material costs, and marketintelligence.
• Provideestimate-specific collaboration with and coordination of other estimatingand operations personnel.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Experience

• Minimum 3 years (5+ preferred) of estimating/preconstruction experience.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain client relationships.
• Experience supporting negotiated work procurement and business development efforts.
• Strong presentation, communication, and customer service skills.
• Experience in renovation, occupied facility, and special projects construction preferred.
• Ability to independently manage multiple small and mid-sized opportunities simultaneously.
• Ability to develop conceptual estimates with limited or no plans or design documentation.
• Design-Build estimating experience favorable.

Education & Certifications

Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or related degree preferred.

Tools & Software

• Digital takeoff and estimating software (On-Screen Takeoff, Bluebeam Revu, or comparable) at an advanced level.
• Microsoft Excel at an advanced level for cost modeling, budget development, and bid analysis; Word and Outlook at a proficient level.
• Construction project management and document control platforms (Procore, Autodesk Build, or comparable) at a working level.

Where You’ll Work

• Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment where the noise level is usually quiet.
• If required, the employee may work from a jobsite trailer on occasion or owner-designated office location. The noise level in the work environment can be loud due to heavy equipment, jack hammers, pneumatic tools, etc. These sounds can be non-stop throughout the day.

Physical Requirements

• Limited exposure to physical risk.
• The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty-five pounds.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, talk, and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands; reach; and stoop or kneel.
• Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

Travel Requirements

• Occasional local or regional travel required for business or community events.
• Regular travel to client facilities and project sites within the region for site investigations, existing-condition assessments, and client meetings.
• Travel required based on project assignment; projects are primarilywithin the region, with flexibility needed to support work outside the localmarket as the company expands.
• Leadership & Team Development: Provides clear direction, sets expectations, holds others accountable, and develops team members through coaching and support
• Stand Behind Our Word and Work: Follows through on commitments, takes ownership of results, and ensures work meets high standards of quality and professionalism
• Cultivate Clients for Life: Builds trust-based relationships through responsiveness, clear communication, and understanding of client needs
• Build a Safe and Caring Environment: Promotes a safety-first culture, proactively manages risks, and looks out for others
• Gets the Job Done: Takes ownership, removes obstacles, prioritizes effectively, and drives work forward to achieve results
• Communication and Collaboration: Communicates clearly and works effectively across teams to build trust and alignment
• Develops and Adapts: Seeks feedback, learns from experience, and adjusts to changing conditions and project needs

Why You’ll Like Working Here

• Complex, high-impact projects with experienced teams
• Strong partnership between field and project management
• Safety-first culture and high standards of quality
• Competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and long-term career growth
• A company proud to be STLMade and invested in the region

Equal Opportunity Employer

Tarlton is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based onrace, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationalorigin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status underapplicable law. If you requireassistance completing this application or need a reasonable accommodation,please contact [e-mail] or 314.633.3300 for support.