Lead Estimator

Southway Builders, Inc.; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision

401(k) with employer match

Paid time off & holidays

Discretionary bonus eligibility

Auto allowance

Job summary

Southway Builders, Inc. is seeking an experienced Estimator for Tenant Improvement, Lab & Health Sciences projects in Durham, NC.

The role focuses on turning drawings and concepts into detailed budgets, coordinating with Preconstruction and Operations teams. You will own estimates from concept through final pricing, review drawings and specs, and collaborate with owners, architects, engineers, and subcontractors to deliver accurate budgets.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of construction estimating/budgeting experience.
• 5–7 years of material takeoff experience.
• Strong ability to read and interpret drawings, specifications, and construction documents.
• Experience developing scopes of work and evaluating subcontractor pricing.
• Strong Excel skills and experience with construction estimating technology.
• Experience with Procore, Bluebeam and BuildingConnected preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead estimates, negotiated budgets, and competitive bids from start to finish.
• Review drawings, specifications, reports, and existing conditions to understand project scope and identify risks or gaps.
• Develop subcontractor and vendor scopes of work and solicit, analyze, and level bids.
• Perform and validate material takeoffs and use historical cost data and unit pricing to develop accurate estimates.
• Partner with owners, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and internal project teams throughout the estimating process.
• Identify value management opportunities that balance cost, schedule, constructability, and quality.
• Develop assumptions, clarifications, alternates, allowances, logistics considerations, and long-lead item information for client proposals.
• Participate in site visits, budget reviews, value management discussions, and project handoffs.
• Build strong relationships with subcontractors and vendors and continuously expand Southway’s trade partner network.
• Partner with Operations during buyout to support a successful transition from estimate to construction.

Skills

Estimating

Budgeting

Takeoffs

Excel

Procore

Bluebeam

BuildingConnected

Communication

Education

Construction Management

Tools

Procore

Bluebeam

BuildingConnected

Excel

Job description

Description

Estimator – Tenant Improvement, Lab & Health Sciences

You know the drawings. You know the numbers. But the best estimators know there’s a lot more to the job than completing a takeoff.

Southway is looking for an experienced Estimator — someone who can dig into the details, ask the right questions, build strong subcontractor relationships, and help shape a project long before construction begins. This role will focus on Tenant Improvement, Lab and Health Sciences projects, working alongside owners, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and our construction teams to turn concepts and drawings into thoughtful, accurate construction budgets.

What You’ll Do

As an Estimator, you’ll take ownership of budgets and estimates from early concept through final pricing while collaborating closely with our Preconstruction and Operations teams.

You will:

• Lead estimates, negotiated budgets, and competitive bids from start to finish.
• Review drawings, specifications, reports, and existing conditions to understand project scope and identify potential risks or gaps.
• Develop subcontractor and vendor scopes of work and solicit, analyze, and level bids.
• Perform and validate material takeoffs and use historical cost data and unit pricing to develop accurate estimates.
• Partner with owners, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and internal project teams throughout the estimating process.
• Identify value management opportunities that balance cost, schedule, constructability, and quality.
• Develop assumptions, clarifications, alternates, allowances, logistics considerations, and long-lead item information for client proposals.
• Participate in site visits, budget reviews, value management discussions, and project handoffs.
• Build strong relationships with subcontractors and vendors and continuously expand Southway’s trade partner network.
• Partner with Operations during buyout to support a successful transition from estimate to construction.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role means delivering accurate, complete and timely budgets, creating competitive coverage across trade packages, communicating potential issues before they become problems, and building strong relationships with our project teams and trade partners. Most importantly, you’ll help position our teams to start projects with the information, strategy, and confidence they need to be successful.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $90,000–$120,000, based on experience and qualifications.

Southway offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Employer Paid Life and STD benefits
• 401(k) with employer match
• 4 Weeks of paid time off plus paid holidays
• Professional development and on-the-job learning opportunities
• Discretionary bonus eligibility
• Auto allowance eligibility

And because building community is part of who we are, our commitment extends beyond our jobsites. Southway provides paid volunteer opportunities for employees, and each of our projects creates an opportunity for our teams to make a positive impact in the community it serves. Employees can also get involved with our Culture Builders, helping shape the experiences, activities, and connections that make Southway a great place to work.

Requirements

What You Bring

We’re looking for an experienced construction professional who combines technical estimating expertise with strong communication, curiosity, and ownership.

• 5–7 years of construction estimating/budgeting experience
• 5–7 years of material takeoff experience
• Strong ability to read and interpret drawings, specifications, and construction documents
• Experience developing scopes of work and evaluating subcontractor pricing
• Strong Excel skills and experience with construction estimating technology
• Experience with Procore, Bluebeam and BuildingConnected preferred
• Excellent organization, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to identify potential challenges early and proactively develop solutions
• Strong attention to detail without losing sight of the overall project
• A collaborative approach and ability to work effectively with clients, design partners, subcontractors, and Operations
• Construction Management or related education is preferred, but we value relevant experience and demonstrated capability.