Lead Commercial Estimator – Preconstruction & Bids

AlphaX; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan options

Paid time off

Company-sponsored programs

Job summary

Donaldson Construction is seeking a Commercial Construction Estimator to own project pricing and preconstruction efforts for Richmond, VA area projects. You will manage estimates from plans through subcontractor pricing, scope review, and final bid preparation, ensuring accurate budgets and competitive bids.

The ideal candidate has strong commercial estimating experience, reads drawings and specs well, performs detailed quantity takeoffs, and can work independently in a fast-paced environment

Qualifications

• 5+ years of commercial construction estimating experience, preferably with a general contractor.
• Experience estimating interior commercial construction, renovations, tenant improvements, or vertical construction.
• Strong ability to read and interpret construction drawings, specifications, and project documents.
• Proven experience performing detailed quantity takeoffs and subcontractor bid analysis.
• Strong understanding of construction materials, labor costs, sequencing, and commercial project scopes.
• Proficiency with estimating and construction technology; Bluebeam Revu experience is preferred.
• Must have direct estimating and bid preparation experience rather than primarily project coordination or administrative support.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced preconstruction environment and manage multiple estimates simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed estimates for commercial construction projects from conceptual budgets through final bid submissions.
• Review drawings, specifications, addenda, and scope documents to identify quantities, materials, labor requirements, and potential scope gaps.
• Perform quantity takeoffs and validate pricing for materials, subcontractor work, equipment, and general conditions.
• Solicit, analyze, and level subcontractor and supplier bids to develop accurate project costs.
• Develop detailed bid proposals and clearly document assumptions, exclusions, alternates, and scope clarifications.
• Identify constructability, schedule, and cost risks during the preconstruction process and provide recommendations to the project team.
• Work closely with project managers, superintendents, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and vendors to clarify scope and pricing.
• Maintain organized estimating documentation and support successful handoff of awarded projects to the operations team.

Skills

Estimating experience

Reading drawings

Takeoffs

Bid analysis

Materials & costs

Bid preparation

Independent work

Construction tech

Tools

Bluebeam Revu

Job description

Donaldson Construction is seeking a Commercial Construction Estimator to own project pricing and preconstruction efforts for Richmond, VA area projects. You will manage estimates from plans through subcontractor pricing, scope review, and final bid preparation, ensuring accurate budgets and competitive bids.

The ideal candidate has strong commercial estimating experience, reads drawings and specs well, performs detailed quantity takeoffs, and can work independently in a fast-paced environment