Millwork Estimator

Columbia Woodworking; United States; Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and Dental insurance

401(k) Profit Sharing Plan

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

Paid Time Off (PTO) and holidays

Life Insurance and EAP

Career development and training

Job summary

Columbia Woodworking is seeking an experienced Estimator to own the invitation-to-bid process for commercial millwork. You will generate material takeoffs, review architectural sets for ambiguities, and collaborate with general contractors to develop cost-saving alternatives.

Responsibilities include establishing baseline bid costs for cabinetry, casework, and paneling, ensuring AWI standards, and driving continuous improvement through post-award handoffs with project managers.

Qualifications

• 5+ years analyzing blueprints for commercial millwork packages.
• Practical knowledge of AWI Quality Certification Program requirements.
• Fluency with Bluebeam and CAD takeoff tools; ERP experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own the invitation-to-bid process from review to bid submission.
• Review sets for ambiguities; propose cost-saving alternatives with stakeholders.
• Set baseline cost boundaries for cabinetry and millwork; ensure AWI compliance.
• Lead post-award handoff reviews with project managers to sharpen bids.

Skills

Millwork knowledge

Bluebeam

CAD takeoff tools

Estimating

Analytical mindset

Tools

ERP experience

Job description

Job Type: Full-Time (Remote & Hybrid opportunities available)

Industry: Custom Commercial Architectural Millwork Manufacturing

About Columbia Woodworking

For over 50 years, Columbia Woodworking has been a trusted leader in premium architectural millwork across the mid-Atlantic region. From our state-of-the-art 70,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility, we transform complex design visions into world-class commercial realities. We don\'t just follow blueprints—we help shape them.

Our team operates on five cultural pillars: Service is the standard, Own it!, Keep getting better, Built to last, and Problem? Bring it. If you are a solutions-oriented professional who treats estimation as a strategic partnership rather than a data-entry task, we invite you to build your career with us.

Key Responsibilities & Core Context

• Project Scope & Lifecycle: Completely own the invitation-to-bid process from initial review to final submission. Evaluate project requests, generate accurate material takeoffs, and compile vendor quotes autonomously.
• Value Engineering: Review architectural construction sets to identify ambiguities, dimension conflicts, or hidden cost drivers. Work directly with general contractors and architects to develop innovative, cost-saving alternatives.
• Precision Bidding: Establish baseline cost boundaries for custom cabinetry, casework, paneling, and specialty wood products, ensuring compliance with AWI standards.
• Continuous Improvement: Run post-award project handoff loops with Project Managers. Review won/lost parameters and historical job costs to sharpen bidding formulas and close structural data gaps.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

• Win Rate
• Bid Gross Margin
• On-time Submission
• Booked vs. Budget

What We’re Looking For

• Millwork Experience: 5+ years analyzing blueprints and performing digital takeoffs for commercial architectural millwork packages.
• Technical Standards: Deep, practical knowledge of custom woodwork fabrication, finish materials, hardware, and AWI Quality Certification Program requirements.
• Software Proficiency: Fluency with Bluebeam, CAD takeoff tools required. Innergy estimating experience is preferred; candidates with equivalent commercial millwork ERP experience will be considered.
• Communication: Professional communication habits to interface comfortably with general contractors, architects, vendors, and shop floor craftsmen.
• Analytical Mindset: High attention to details, precision under tight bid deadlines, and a passion for deep architectural file forensics.

We take care of our employees by offering an exceptional, stable workplace environment and a generous employment benefits framework:

• Competitive base salary $75,000 - $110,000, based on experience and millwork knowledge
• Comprehensive Health and Dental insurance programs
• 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan with company match
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid company holidays
• Company-paid Life Insurance and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
• Dedicated career development paths and ongoing software/industry training