Lead Estimator – Commercial Construction Bids

Merit General Contractors; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Merit General Contractors in San Antonio, TX is seeking an experienced Estimator to develop accurate, competitive cost estimates for commercial construction from concept through bid or negotiated contract.

You will analyze drawings, specifications, market data, and subcontractor proposals to establish reliable pricing, build bid packages, identify risks and opportunities, and communicate assumptions clearly to leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field preferred.
• 5+ years of commercial construction estimating or preconstruction experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of commercial construction systems, means and methods, and subcontractor scopes.
• Ability to read and interpret plans, specifications, contracts, and technical documents.
• Strong analytical, mathematical, organizational, communication, and negotiation skills.
• OSHA 30 or equivalent preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepare conceptual, schematic design, design development, GMP, negotiated, and competitive bid estimates.
• Review drawings, specifications, narratives, geotechnical reports, addenda, and other bid documents for scope and risk.
• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs and develop pricing by CSI division, system, area, or project phase.
• Develop comprehensive subcontractor and supplier bid packages with clearly defined scopes of work.
• Solicit qualified subcontractors and suppliers and maintain adequate bid coverage for each trade.
• Conduct detailed scope leveling of subcontractor proposals to identify exclusions, overlaps, gaps, qualifications, and inconsistencies.
• Develop general conditions, general requirements, staffing, logistics, temporary facilities, insurance, bonds, fees, and other project costs.
• Prepare allowances, alternates, unit prices, clarifications, assumptions, and exclusions.
• Identify constructability issues, schedule risks, long-lead items, escalation exposure, and other cost risks.
• Develop and evaluate value engineering and cost-reduction options without compromising project objectives.
• Maintain current knowledge of local labor, material, subcontractor, and market pricing.
• Maintain historical cost databases and incorporate completed-project cost information into future estimates.
• Coordinate with Operations and field leadership to validate means, methods, logistics, schedule, staffing, and constructability assumptions.
• Participate in pre-bid meetings, site visits, subcontractor meetings, owner interviews, and proposal presentations.
• Prepare estimate summaries and clearly communicate pricing strategy, risks, and opportunities to leadership.
• Support contract scope reconciliation and final pricing negotiations following selection.
• Lead a complete turnover of estimate scope, buyout assumptions, risks, alternates, and commitments to the project team.
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, design teams, and clients.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Mathematical skills

Organizational skills

Negotiation skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Procore

Bluebeam

Estimating software

Microsoft Project

Job description

Merit General Contractors in San Antonio, TX is seeking an experienced Estimator to develop accurate, competitive cost estimates for commercial construction from concept through bid or negotiated contract.

You will analyze drawings, specifications, market data, and subcontractor proposals to establish reliable pricing, build bid packages, identify risks and opportunities, and communicate assumptions clearly to leadership.