Lead Estimator

Harry Grodsky & Co., Inc.; Springfield (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Harry Grodsky & Co., Inc. seeks a Lead Mechanical Estimator to drive the estimating function for HVAC, piping, and related mechanical work, delivering accurate, competitive bids and mentoring estimators.

You will coordinate quantity takeoffs, supplier quotes, risk review, and turnover to operations, while guiding bid strategy and ensuring compliance with company procedures and standards.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of mechanical estimating experience in commercial/industrial HVAC, piping, and plumbing.
• Ability to read and interpret drawings, specifications, addenda, and contract documents.
• Proficiency with estimating tools and takeoff software (AutoBid, Bluebeam) and MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Lead estimating reviews, validate quantities and pricing, and confirm inclusions/exclusions prior to bid submission.
• Develop bid plans, bid calendars, and internal assignments to meet submission deadlines.
• Prepare bid forms, scope letters, alternates, unit prices, and proposal narratives that clearly communicate the mechanical scope and assumptions.
• Identify risks and opportunities, and recommend contingency and markups consistent with bid strategy.
• Provide day-to-day leadership to estimating staff and coach on best practices for mechanical takeoff and pricing.

Skills

Estimating leadership

Mentoring estimators

Time management

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Multitasking

Tools

AutoBid

Bluebeam

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Summary: Lead the estimating function for HVAC/piping and related mechanical work by producing accurate, competitive, and timely bids. Provide estimating leadership across scope review, quantity takeoffs, subcontractor/vendor buyout, risk review, and estimating-to-operations turnover in accordance with company procedures. Provides day-to-day directions and mentoring to estimators and estimating assistants.

Key Responsibilities

• Review drawings, specifications, addenda, and contract requirements to define complete mechanical scope (HVAC, hydronic/steam, plumbing, process piping, equipment, controls, insulation, TAB, etc.).
• Develop bid plans, bid calendars, and internal assignments to meet submission deadlines
• Perform and/or oversee detailed digital quantity takeoffs and ensure takeoffs reflect project intent, inclusions/exclusions, and company standards.
• Identify constructability concerns, scope gaps, and coordination items, document clarifications and assumptions for bid day
• Solicit and maintain coverage from key subcontractors and suppliers; issue RFQs with clear scope, alternates, and schedule requirements
• Analyze, level, and normalize vendor/subcontractor quotes to confirm scope completeness, compliance, and best value; document exceptions and carry-backs
• Build labor, material, equipment, and subcontract pricing using current market data, productivity factors, and historical cost information
• Lead estimate reviews(page turns), validate quantities and pricing, and confirm inclusions/exclusions prior to bid submission
• Prepare bid forms, scope letters, alternates, unit prices, and proposal narratives that clearly communicate the mechanical scope and assumptions
• Assess risk and opportunity (schedule, labor availability, logistics, phasing, subcontractor risk, escalation) and recommend contingency and markups consistent with bid strategy
• Collaborate with operations, project management, and engineering to identify value engineering options and cost-saving alternates without compromising performance or code compliance
• Support go/no-go decisions by providing ROM budgets, workload impacts, and competitive analysis when available
• Participate in pre-bid meetings and site walks as required; capture field conditions and constraints that affect pricing
• Support post-bid negotiations, scope reconciliation, and contract review; provide backup and clarifications as requested by the GC/client
• Lead estimating-to-operations turnover: deliver estimate recap, basis-of-estimate, subcontractor quote tabs, and quantity/labor assumptions to the project team
• Provide day-to-day leadership to estimating staff: assign work, set priorities, review deliverables, and coach on best practices for mechanical takeoff and pricing
• Help maintain and improve estimating procedures, assemblies, labor factors, and historical cost databases to increase estimate accuracy and consistency
• Coordinate document control for bids (drawings/specs/addenda), maintain organized estimate files, and ensure compliance with company estimating standards
• Track bid activity and outcomes (win/loss, margin, scope trends) and share observations to improve future pricing and strategy
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the estimating and preconstruction functions

Qualifications

• 5+ years of mechanical estimating experience (commercial/industrial HVAC, piping, plumbing), with demonstrated ability to lead estimates and/or mentor other estimators
• Strong understanding of mechanical systems means and methods, code considerations, and typical subcontractor scopes (controls, insulation, TAB, rigging, etc.)
• Ability to read and interpret drawings, specifications, addenda, and contract documents; skilled at scope definition and bid clarifications
• Proficiency with estimating and takeoff tools, including AutoBid (company estimating platform), and strong working knowledge of related takeoff/document tools as applicable (e.g., Bluebeam) and Microsoft Excel/Word/Outlook.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and time-management skills; ability to manage multiple bids and deadlines simultaneously
• Effective communication skills for internal reviews, vendor/subcontractor coordination, and proposal/negotiation support
• Valid driver's license; ability to attend site walks and pre-bid meetings as needed.