Estimator (Wet Utilities)

Calqulate; California; On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Calqulate is seeking an experienced Wet Utilities Estimator for underground utility projects in Southern California. You will prepare accurate cost proposals for water, sewer, and storm drain systems, supporting pre-construction and business development efforts.

You’ll collaborate with project managers, field teams, and leadership to ensure defensible estimates that align with constructability and market conditions.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of estimating experience in wet utilities or heavy civil construction.
• Ability to read civil drawings, profiles, and municipal specifications.
• Proficiency with estimating tools and software.
• Knowledge of California bid procedures and prevailing wage requirements.

Responsibilities

• Review plans, specs, and documents to define scope and pricing.
• Perform quantity takeoffs for excavation, pipe, manholes, and appurtenances.
• Develop full cost estimates including labor, materials, equipment, subcontractors, and GC.
• Solicit vendor and subcontractor pricing and assess competitiveness.
• Prepare bid packages and respond to RFQs/RFPs.
• Coordinate with PMs and field leadership to confirm constructability.
• Attend pre-bid meetings and site visits to evaluate access and staging.
• Update historical cost data and adjust unit prices as needed.
• Support budgeting, value engineering, and change orders on awarded projects.

Skills

Estimating experience

Reading civil drawings

Bid/ pricing analysis

Communication

Time management

Education

High school diploma or GED

Civil Engineering or Construction Management degree

Tools

Bluebeam

Excel

Agtek

HCSS

Job description

Estimator (Underground Wet Utilities)

Location: Inland Empire Area, California

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced, detail-driven Wet Utilities Estimator to prepare accurate cost proposals and competitive bids for underground utility projects involving water, sewer, and storm drain systems.

This role is critical to our pre-construction and business development efforts, supporting both public and private sector infrastructure projects across Southern California. You’ll work directly with project managers, field teams, and leadership to ensure estimates are realistic, defensible, and aligned with constructability.

Key Responsibilities

• Review civil plans, specifications, and contract documents to define scope and pricing strategy.

• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs for excavation, pipe installation, manholes, structures, and appurtenances.

• Develop full cost estimates including labor, materials, equipment, subcontractors, and general conditions.

• Interpret and apply municipal and agency standards including City of Los Angeles, San Bernardino County, and Caltrans requirements.

• Solicit and analyze vendor and subcontractor pricing for accuracy, coverage, and competitiveness.

• Prepare and submit bid packages, RFQs, and RFP responses within deadline.

• Coordinate with project managers and field leadership to confirm constructability, logistics, and production assumptions.

• Attend pre-bid meetings and conduct site visits to evaluate access, utilities, traffic control, and staging constraints.

• Maintain historical cost data and update unit pricing based on market conditions.

• Support budgeting, value engineering, and change order pricing on awarded projects.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
  Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related field preferred.

• 5+ years of estimating experience in wet utilities, underground infrastructure, or heavy civil construction.

• Strong knowledge of water main, sewer, and storm drain installation methods.

• Proven ability to read and interpret civil drawings, profiles, and municipal specifications.

• Proficiency with estimating tools such as Bluebeam, Excel, Agtek, HCSS preferred.

• Solid understanding of prevailing wage requirements, union labor rates, and public works bidding procedures in California.

• Excellent attention to detail, time management, and communication skills.

• Valid California driver’s license and ability to travel to job sites as needed.

Why This Role Matters

This is not a support position. You will directly influence project profitability, bid strategy, and execution success. If you understand underground utilities, know how real production works in the field, and can build estimates that hold up under pressure, this role puts you in the center of major infrastructure work across Southern California.