Lead Cost Estimator — Remote/Hybrid

Above Group, Inc.; Ellicott City (MD); Remote; USD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Coverage

HSA contributions

Profit-sharing bonus

Job summary

Above Group is seeking a Senior Cost Estimator to own cost estimating on design projects, from conceptual budgeting through construction documents. You will serve as lead estimator on assigned projects and be the point of contact when a dollar figure is involved.

This senior role includes building and maintaining the department’s unit-cost database and historical cost library, setting standards, and influencing project selection and pricing strategy.

Qualifications

• 6-10 years in cost estimating, general contracting, or related construction work.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field; equivalent experience considered.
• General contracting background strongly preferred with field and/or estimating experience.
• Estimating experience in government and healthcare markets preferred.
• Experience benchmarking labor and material costs against historical data and quotes.
• Working knowledge of estimating platforms and takeoff tools listed above.
• Revit and AutoCAD to extract quantities and review MEP documents.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (pivot tables, formulas, macros).
• Strong written and verbal communication; able to engage with clients and leadership.
• Independent, organized, detail oriented with collaborative mindset.
• U.S. citizenship or permanent residency; travel up to 20% for site visits.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage cost estimates for multi-disciplinary projects through all design phases.
• Perform quantity takeoffs from Revit and AutoCAD with BIM/design teams.
• Resolve gaps between design, scope, and budget via value engineering and cost-benefit analysis.
• Prepare conceptual budgets, fee proposals, and comparative models for BD.
• Write BOE narratives, cost reports, scope clarifications, and RFIs responses.
• Build and maintain unit-cost database, historical cost library, estimating standards.
• Keep estimates current with codes, fees, bidding conditions, labor rates, and pricing.
• Review concepts with engineering leads to align design with budgets.

Skills

Cost estimation

Communication

Project management

Analytical thinking

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management or Engineering

Tools

RSMeans

Sage Estimating/Accubid

ConEst

WinEst

Bluebeam Revu

On-Screen Takeoff

Revit

AutoCAD

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Above Group is seeking a Senior Cost Estimator to own cost estimating on design projects, from conceptual budgeting through construction documents. You will serve as lead estimator on assigned projects and be the point of contact when a dollar figure is involved.

This senior role includes building and maintaining the department’s unit-cost database and historical cost library, setting standards, and influencing project selection and pricing strategy.