General Construction Estimator

YA Group; Buffalo (NY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee-focused culture

Work-life balance

Remote work

Flexible vacation & Paid holidays

Paid family care/sick leave

Parental leave

Medical, Dental, Vision + more

401k w/match

Career growth

Competitive salaries + Bonus

Job summary

YA Group is looking for a General Construction Cost Estimator to support pre-construction by collaborating with Owners, State Agencies, Architects, Engineers, and Construction Managers to translate project needs into accurate, reliable cost estimates.

This role requires strong knowledge of construction methods, the ability to analyze both detailed and conceptual information, and clear communication with multiple stakeholders to keep scope and budgets aligned.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant experience in estimating or related field work.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Experience with OST, or similar estimating software preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and self-motivated.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Review and interpret construction documents, including drawings, specifications, and narratives.
• Participate in client and internal project kick-off meetings.
• Develop and submit RFIs and solicit quotes from suppliers and subcontractors.
• Perform quantity take-offs using OST, Sage, BIM, and other estimating software.
• Apply appropriate unit pricing using historical data, vendor quotes, and market benchmarks.
• Conduct comparative cost analyses to identify opportunities for budget alignment.
• Maintain strong, positive working relationships with contractors, suppliers, and stakeholders.
• Prepare organized, standardized estimate reports for client and internal use.
• Deliver estimates and follow up with clients in a timely manner.
• Support closeout documentation efforts as needed.
• Contribute to improvements in estimating processes and best practices.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

MS Word

MS Excel

MS PowerPoint

MS Outlook

Communication

Organization

Collaboration

Tools

OST

Sage

BIM

Job description

The Role

The General Construction Cost Estimator plays a key role in supporting pre-construction efforts by collaborating with Owners, State Agencies, Architects, Engineers, and Construction Managers to understand project needs and translate them into accurate, reliable cost estimates. This role requires strong technical knowledge of construction methods, the ability to analyze both detailed and conceptual project information, and the communication skills to convey findings to multiple stakeholders. The Estimator will ensure that project scope and budgets remain aligned throughout the pre-construction phase.

The Role

The General Construction Cost Estimator plays a key role in supporting pre-construction efforts by collaborating with Owners, State Agencies, Architects, Engineers, and Construction Managers to understand project needs and translate them into accurate, reliable cost estimates. This role requires strong technical knowledge of construction methods, the ability to analyze both detailed and conceptual project information, and the communication skills to convey findings to multiple stakeholders. The Estimator will ensure that project scope and budgets remain aligned throughout the pre-construction phase.

In This Role, You Will

• Review and interpret construction documents, including drawings, specifications, and narratives.
• Participate in client and internal project kick-off meetings.
• Develop and submit RFIs and solicit quotes from suppliers and subcontractors.
• Perform quantity take-offs using OST, Sage, BIM, and other estimating software.
• Apply appropriate unit pricing using historical data, vendor quotes, and market benchmarks.
• Conduct comparative cost analyses to identify opportunities for budget alignment.
• Maintain strong, positive working relationships with contractors, suppliers, and stakeholders.
• Prepare organized, standardized estimate reports for client and internal use.
• Deliver estimates and follow up with clients in a timely manner.
• Support closeout documentation efforts as needed.
• Contribute to improvements in estimating processes and best practices.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

What You Bring

• 5+ years of relevant experience in estimating or related field work.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Experience with OST, or similar estimating software preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and self-motivated.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders at all levels.

Title and pay commensurate with experience. This role offers clear opportunities for career progression, with advancement based on performance and impact.

Who We Are

YA Group is an international professional services organization providing forensic consulting, engineering, risk mitigation, and related services. Founded over 25 years ago as a property damage consulting firm, YA has expanded through organic growth and strategic acquisitions. Today, YA has over 800 professionals dedicated to excellence, partnership, and driving innovation.

Planning and Construction Advisory Services (PCAS), a Business Unit of YA, specializes in pre-construction and construction consulting, including cost estimating, scheduling, and constructability reviews. Known for accuracy and strategic insight, PCAS helps clients align scope, schedule, and budget from the earliest planning stages through project execution.

What We Offer

• Employee-focused culture
• Strong commitment to work-life balance
• Remote work
• Flexible vacation & Paid holidays
• Paid family care/sick leave
• Parental leave
• Medical, Dental, Vision + more
• 401k w/match
• Career growth
• Competitive salaries + Bonus

Title and pay commensurate with experience. This role offers clear opportunities for career progression, with advancement based on performance and impact.

As part of our recruitment process, we may use AI-assisted tools to support candidate screening and evaluation. These tools are designed to assist—rather than replace—human decision-making, and all employment decisions are made by our recruiting team in accordance with applicable laws and our commitment to equal employment opportunity. Where required by law, we will provide additional information about the use of these tools, including their purpose, and offer alternative processes or accommodations upon request.