Lead Construction Bid Estimator

Professional Women in Construction - Boston Chapter; Walpole (MA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Professional Women in Construction - Boston Chapter is seeking an Estimator to review RFPs, analyze drawings and specs, and prepare bid submissions for multiple projects. The role involves coordinating with marketing, accounting, risk and project operations to ensure timely, accurate cost estimates and competitive proposals.

The estimator will be expected to manage take-offs, subcontractor inquiries, and price comparisons while maintaining detailed records for historical data.

Responsibilities

• Review RFP – including plans, specifications, sketches, geotechnical reports, design narratives, Addenda, etc.
• Attend pre-bid meeting, perform site inspections, verify existing conditions, analyze factors that may affect constructability (location of powerlines, access for deliveries, etc.).
• Conduct a page turn to determine scopes of work and required contents of estimate.
• Preparing bidders lists – custom tailored for each project, carefully selecting those subcontractors that are most appropriate for each project (and most likely to bid).
• Preparing requests for subcontractor quotations and provide analysis of subcontractor quotes.
• Following up with subcontractors throughout the bidding period to keep communications open, gauge interest and field RFI’s.
• Performing site visits with subcontractors.
• Prepare bid tabs – calling attention to portions of the work that subcontractors may or may not have included.
• Prepare detailed and accurate Qualifications & Assumptions.
• Work with Project Operations in developing a Construction Management Plan.
• Work with Project Operations in developing a Project Proposal Schedule.
• Prepare and review with Project Operations a detailed General Conditions & Project Requirement study (carefully considering – “how will we build this” mentality).
• Write Scopes of Work
• Taking lead with Estimating, Budgeting and Bidding of projects.
• Ability to work on multiple projects at one given time, prior.itizing deadlines for deliverables.
• Make a plan to achieve the bid deadline and stick to it. Call attention to needs, pressure points, key factors for success and roadblocks that may prohibit a successful submission.
• Preparing estimates by calculating complete take-off of Scope of Work:
• Bulk Quantity Take-offs;
• Preparing conceptual estimates from preliminary design documents;
• Engaging subcontractors and suppliers to ensure the most accurate pricing is used.
• Evaluating active and past projects to create a historical cost database.
• Supporting and maintain Estimating Department historical data files;
• Preparing budget comparisons between current and previous estimates;
• Maintaining files of working documents as back-up for estimate figures, including current information on unit prices from suppliers;
• Providing support to Project Operations, as directed;
• Assisting with final assembly of estimates and pricing to Clients;
• Work with Marketing to ensure project proposals are ready in a timely fashion [and in advance of bid due day].
• Work with Accounting to ensure company financials are ready in a timely fashion [and in advance of bid due day], to the extent they are requested.
• Work with Risk to ensure bonding requirements are ready in a timely fashion [and in advance of bid due day], to the extent they are requested.
• Scheduling adequate time to review and finalize estimate prior to submission.
• Providing assistance to field operations with Change Order estimates and pricing;
• Providing assistance with Pre-Construction activities, including budgeting, recommending systems or products, attending design meetings, selectively collaborating with subcontractors and vendors, etc.
• Run and coordinate Kick-Off Meetings - handing project(s) off to Project Operations.
• Be available to support Project Operations through the execution and close-out of construction projects.
• Participate in Close-Out Meetings – carefully working with Project Operations to create lessons learned and to improve the estimating process.
• Communicate effectively with other key staff, contractors and subcontractors.
• Draft meeting agendas for all Pre-Construction meetings.
• Communicate effectively with the Owner, coordinating team meetings, and preparing Meeting Minutes during Pre-Construction.
• Preparation of weekly and monthly estimating reports – calling attention to work-in-progress, upcoming workload, and bottlenecks or anticipated challenges.
• Establish and maintain relationships with subcontractors – including identifying and grooming new subcontractors.
• Ensure that all work is planned consistently with the contract documents and will meet or exceed client expectations.
• Prepare material take-offs and order materials
• Attend periodic meetings including owner meetings, subcontractor meetings, etc.
• The Estimator will report to the Chief Estimator.

Job description

Professional Women in Construction - Boston Chapter is seeking an Estimator to review RFPs, analyze drawings and specs, and prepare bid submissions for multiple projects. The role involves coordinating with marketing, accounting, risk and project operations to ensure timely, accurate cost estimates and competitive proposals.

The estimator will be expected to manage take-offs, subcontractor inquiries, and price comparisons while maintaining detailed records for historical data.