Junior Estimator

Buyers Barricades; Richland Hills (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Buyers Barricades is seeking a Junior Estimator to support the estimating team through plan review, quantity takeoffs, bid preparation, and documentation. The role focuses on developing a strong foundation in temporary traffic control and heavy-highway construction while learning Buyers' estimating processes.

The successful candidate will receive training and progressively take ownership of more complex estimating work, with the long-term goal of becoming an independent estimator capable of

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Strong computer skills and comfort working extensively in digital systems.
• Ability to learn and interpret technical documents, drawings, plans, specifications, and written instructions.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, time management, and follow-through.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively under deadlines and manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to identify problems, ask questions, and use sound judgment when information is incomplete or unclear.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel to jobsites or other company/project locations when required.

Responsibilities

• Review construction plans, specifications, addenda, TCPs, and related bid documents to identify temporary traffic-control scope and requirements.
• Perform quantity takeoffs for signs, channelizing devices, barricades, pavement markings, attenuators/crash cushions, temporary traffic-control equipment, and other applicable materials or services.
• Build preliminary estimates using Buyers' pricing, estimating procedures, product knowledge, project durations, and rental assumptions.
• Identify missing information, plan discrepancies, unusual requirements, and potential scope issues; communicate questions before they become bid-day problems.
• Organize bid documents, project folders, bid calendars, addenda, notes, and supporting information so each estimate is complete and easy to review.
• Enter and maintain accurate project and estimate information in TCR and other company systems.
• Assist with bid-day preparation, final estimate reviews, revisions, and submission requirements.
• Track submitted bids and maintain accurate records of bid status and outcomes.
• Assist the estimating team with pricing research, vendor/product research, and other information needed to develop competitive estimates.
• Communicate professionally with internal teams, vendors, customers, contractors, and other project contacts when required.
• Use Microsoft Office, estimating software, digital plan tools, and approved AI-assisted tools such as Onyx to research information, organize data, and improve efficiency while independently verifying the accuracy of the final work.
• Continue developing knowledge of Buyers' products, temporary traffic-control practices, construction operations, TxDOT standards, MUTCD requirements, and industry terminology.

Skills

Strong computer skills

Attention to detail

Time management

Communication skills

Problem solving

Valid driver's license

Education

High school diploma

Associate's or bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Business, or related field

Tools

Plan-Review software

Excel

Job description

The Junior Estimator is an estimator-in-development who supports the Buyers Barricades estimating team through plan review, quantity takeoffs, bid preparation, project organization, pricing support, and detailed documentation. This position is designed to develop a strong technical foundation in temporary traffic control, heavy-highway construction, TxDOT requirements, MUTCD standards, and Buyers' estimating processes.

The Junior Estimator is not expected to arrive as a fully independent estimator. The successful candidate will receive training and progressively take ownership of more complex estimating work. The long-term goal is to develop the employee into an independent Estimator capable of producing accurate, complete, and competitive estimates with limited supervision.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Review construction plans, specifications, addenda, TCPs, and related bid documents to identify temporary traffic-control scope and requirements.
• Perform quantity takeoffs for signs, channelizing devices, barricades, pavement markings, attenuators/crash cushions, temporary traffic-control equipment, and other applicable materials or services.
• Build preliminary estimates using Buyers' pricing, estimating procedures, product knowledge, project durations, and rental assumptions.
• Identify missing information, plan discrepancies, unusual requirements, and potential scope issues; communicate questions before they become bid-day problems.
• Organize bid documents, project folders, bid calendars, addenda, notes, and supporting information so each estimate is complete and easy to review.
• Enter and maintain accurate project and estimate information in TCR and other company systems.
• Assist with bid-day preparation, final estimate reviews, revisions, and submission requirements.
• Track submitted bids and maintain accurate records of bid status and outcomes.
• Assist the estimating team with pricing research, vendor/product research, and other information needed to develop competitive estimates.
• Communicate professionally with internal teams, vendors, customers, contractors, and other project contacts when required.
• Use Microsoft Office, estimating software, digital plan tools, and approved AI-assisted tools such as Onyx to research information, organize data, and improve efficiency while independently verifying the accuracy of the final work.
• Continue developing knowledge of Buyers' products, temporary traffic-control practices, construction operations, TxDOT standards, MUTCD requirements, and industry terminology.

WHAT THIS JOB IS — AND IS NOT

THIS ROLE IS

A technical estimating position focused on learning how to read plans, understand traffic-control scope, perform takeoffs, build estimates, stay organized, and progressively produce independent estimating work.

THIS ROLE IS NOT

A traditional sales position, a full project-management position, or an after-hours field-dispatch role. Customer communication may be part of the job, but the primary responsibility is estimating.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

The Junior Estimator should become progressively more independent as knowledge, accuracy, and confidence develop. Success in this position is measured not simply by completing tasks, but by producing work that is organized, accurate, timely, and increasingly requires less review.

• Can navigate plans, specifications, TCPs, and addenda and locate the information needed to estimate a project.
• Can identify the traffic-control scope of a project and perform accurate quantity takeoffs.
• Can build a preliminary estimate using established Buyers pricing and procedures.
• Consistently meets bid deadlines and keeps multiple projects organized without losing track of details.
• Recognizes discrepancies or potential scope issues and asks thoughtful questions rather than making assumptions.
• Communicates clearly and professionally with the estimating team and project contacts.
• Uses TCR, Microsoft Office, digital plan tools, and approved AI resources effectively.
• Continues learning TxDOT, MUTCD, traffic-control products, construction operations, and Buyers-specific estimating practices.
• Produces estimates that require progressively less correction or rework from the Director of Estimating or senior estimating staff.
• Eventually demonstrates the ability to complete routine estimates independently and explain the reasoning behind the quantities and pricing.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Strong computer skills and comfort working extensively in digital systems.
• Ability to learn and interpret technical documents, drawings, plans, specifications, and written instructions.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, time management, and follow-through.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively under deadlines and manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to identify problems, ask questions, and use sound judgment when information is incomplete or unclear.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel to jobsites or other company/project locations when required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in construction, estimating, traffic control, heavy highway, civil construction, or a related field.
• Experience reading construction plans, specifications, or technical drawings.
• Experience with TxDOT, MUTCD, temporary traffic control, or roadway construction.
• Experience with Plan-Review software.
• Experience with Excel or other estimating/spreadsheet tools.
• Associate's or bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Business, or a related field.
• Experience working with contractors, construction suppliers, or other business-to-business customers.

THE PERSON WE'RE LOOKING FOR

We are looking for someone who is intelligent, curious, accountable, organized, and willing to learn. Prior traffic-control experience is valuable, but it is not the only path to success. The ability to learn technical information, pay attention to details, manage deadlines, and take ownership of work is more important than already knowing every Buyers product or TxDOT requirement.

This position will involve repetitive detail-oriented work, changing priorities, multiple deadlines, and periods of increased pressure around bid deadlines. The right candidate will take pride in getting the details right, communicating when something does not make sense, and continuously improving their knowledge and efficiency.

TRAINING & CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Buyers Barricades will provide training in company estimating procedures, temporary traffic-control products and practices, plan reading, takeoffs, pricing, TCR, TxDOT requirements, MUTCD standards, and other tools used by the estimating team. Responsibilities will increase as the employee demonstrates competence and reliability.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & OTHER DUTIES

This position is primarily office-based and requires extended computer and plan-review work. Occasional field/site visits may be required to better understand project conditions or scope. The position may require occasional early, late, or additional work around significant bid deadlines. Duties and responsibilities may change as business needs evolve. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.