Jr. Estimator

The Burt Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Burt Group is seeking a Junior Estimator to support our estimating team in projecting and controlling construction costs across diverse projects in Illinois and beyond. You will gather data from blueprints and specifications, assist bid preparation, and help with contract administration to deliver accurate cost breakdowns and keep projects on budget and on schedule.

Key duties include project scoping, bid invitations, and timely bid day coverage; maintaining subcontractor databases for

Qualifications

• Analytical thinking to interpret plans and cost data.
• Attention to detail and thorough documentation.
• Ability to manage deadlines and deliver quality work.
• Clear written and verbal communication with teams and vendors.
• Self-motivated with a proactive approach to tasks.

Responsibilities

• Assist in scoping projects to create lists of subcontractors, trades, and materials.
• Support senior estimators in collecting and verifying proposal accuracy on bid day.
• Ensure complete subcontractor coverage across active bids.
• Create and distribute bid invitations to subcontractors, trades, and supply houses.
• Actively obtain and track bids from subcontractors, trades, and suppliers.
• Maintain master subcontractor database for Ground Up and TI projects.
• Prepare detailed quantitative material takeoffs and enter data accurately.
• Maintain project correspondence and drawing revisions.
• Attend project site visits to evaluate field conditions and gather data.
• Provide clear, structured recaps and documentation updates to management.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Skills

Analytical skills

Detail oriented

Execution

Communication

Self-starter

Tools

On-Screen Takeoff (OST)

SmartBid

Bluebeam

PlanHub

Job description

As the Junior Estimator, you will assist the estimating team in projecting and controlling construction costs across a variety of projects. From gathering data from blueprints and specifications to supporting bid preparation and contract administration, you will play an essential role in delivering accurate cost breakdowns and ensuring project success.

Bid Preparation & Scoping

Project Scoping: Assist in scoping projects to create comprehensive lists of required subcontractors, trades, and materials.

Proposal Support: Assist senior estimators in collecting, reviewing, and verifying proposal accuracy on bid day.

Bid Day Coverage: Ensure complete subcontractor and trade coverage across all active project bids.

Procurement & Partner Management

Bid Invitation: Create and distribute bid invitations to subcontractors, specialty trades, and supply houses.

Bid Solicitation: Actively obtain and track bids from subcontractors, specialty trades, supply houses, and market competitors.

Database Maintenance: Responsible for maintaining and updating the master subcontractor list for both Ground Up and Tenant Improvement (TI) sectors.

Material Takeoffs: Prepare detailed quantitative material takeoffs and handle precise data entry of quantity takeoffs.

Documentation: Maintain accurate, up-to-date project correspondence, documentation, and drawing revisions.

Site Visits: Attend project site visits as necessary to evaluate field conditions and gather critical data.

Leadership Reporting: Provide clear, structured recaps and documentation updates to management.

Other Duties: Perform additional responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications & Skills

Analytical Skills: Strong ability to analyze numerical information, construction plans, and drawings to determine project requirements and budget limits.

Operational Strengths: High level of detail orientation, excellent documentation, and strong reporting skills.

Execution: Self-starter with a proven track record of focus, quality output, and a deep understanding of strict project deadlines.

Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills tailored for collaboration with work teams, project managers, vendors, clients, building owners, and senior management.

Technical Proficiency: Computer literate with intermediate to advanced proficiency in MS Excel, MS Word, and MS Outlook. Experience with industry software such as On-Screen Takeoff (OST), SmartBid, Bluebeam, and PlanHub is preferred.