Project Estimator

Jefferies + Kidd Design | Build; Wilmington (DE); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary based on experience

Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays

Career advancement opportunities into/

Job summary

Jefferies & Kidd Design Build is seeking a highly organized Estimator / Project Coordinator to bridge design and field execution on coastal North Carolina projects. You will translate design plans into accurate cost estimates while coordinating bidding, subcontractor scheduling, and material procurement to keep our projects moving smoothly.

As part of the team, you will partner with PMs, manage Buildertrend, handle RFIs, and help develop comprehensive budgets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Business Administration, or related field.
• 2–4 years of experience in residential custom home or light commercial construction.
• Strong proficiency with Buildertrend or Procore.
• Proficiency with digital takeoff software: On-Screen Takeoff, Bluebeam, PlanSwift.
• Excellent skills in Microsoft Excel and Google Workspace.

Responsibilities

• Perform takeoffs: detailed material and labor takeoffs from drawings.
• Manage subcontractor bidding: issue invitations, coordinate submissions, ensure coverage.
• Bid leveling & analysis: compare proposals, identify gaps, verify pricing.
• Budget development: assist leadership to build accurate project budgets and estimates.
• Document & database management: Buildertrend admin, RFI tracking, cost data updates.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

Buildertrend

Procore

On-Screen Takeoff

Bluebeam

PlanSwift

Microsoft Excel

Google Workspace

Job description

At Jefferies & Kidd Design Build, we specialize in creating exceptional custom homes and commercial spaces throughout Coastal North Carolina. We pride ourselves on a seamless, high-end design-build experience. From initial concept to the final walk-through, our team delivers superior craftsmanship, transparent communication, and meticulous project management.

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly organized, proactive Estimator / Project Coordinator to join our team. In this role, you will act as the operational bridge between our design phase and field execution, working directly alongside our Project Managers (PMs). You will be responsible for translating design plans into accurate, competitive cost estimates while simultaneously coordinating the critical behind-the-scenes logistics—such as bidding, subcontractor scheduling, and material procurement—that keep our projects moving smoothly.

If you are a detail-oriented professional who loves construction logistics, thrives on keeping projects on schedule, and wants to work with a premier coastal builder, we want to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform Takeoffs: Conduct detailed material and labor takeoffs from architectural and structural drawings.
• Manage the Subcontractor Bidding Process: Package and distribute bid invitations to our trusted subcontractor network, utilizing Buildertrend to coordinate submissions, clarify scopes of work, and ensure full coverage.
• Bid Leveling & Analysis: Analyze and compare incoming subcontractor proposals to ensure accurate pricing, identify gaps, and eliminate hidden costs.
• Budget Development: Collaborate with the leadership team to compile comprehensive, highly accurate project budgets and cost-plus estimates.

2. Project Coordination (Supporting the PMs)

• PM Partnership: Work hand-in-hand with field Project Managers to ensure a seamless handoff from the estimating phase to active construction.
• Subcontractor & Vendor Scheduling: Assist PMs in coordinating trade schedules, ensuring subcontractors are locked in and ready to roll per the master Buildertrend schedule.
• Purchase Orders & Agreements: Generate and track subcontracts, purchase orders (POs), and change orders, ensuring all compliance documents (insurance, licenses) are active.
• Material Procurement: Source, price, and coordinate the timely delivery of specialized, long-lead materials (such as custom windows, specialized trim packages, and structural components) to prevent job site delays.

3. Document & Database Management

• Buildertrend Administration: Serve as a key internal administrator for Buildertrend—maintaining clean project files, updating selection sheets, and tracking bid packages.
• RFI Tracking: Manage the Request for Information (RFI) process, coordinating between designers, engineers, PMs, and subcontractors to resolve plan discrepancies quickly.
• Cost Database Updates: Track real-time material pricing fluctuations and historical cost data to keep our pricing models and standard specifications accurate.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree (4-year degree) in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Experience: 2–4 years of experience in residential custom home or light commercial construction, with a focus on estimating, bidding, or project coordination.
• Technical Skills:
• Strong proficiency with construction management software—specifically Buildertrend or Procore.
• Proficiency with digital takeoff software (e.g., On-Screen Takeoff, Bluebeam, PlanSwift).
• Excellent skills in Microsoft Excel and the Google Workspace suite.
• Location: Ability to work out of our office and make occasional site visits to active projects in the local coastal area.

Key Competencies for Success

• Highly Collaborative: You thrive in a team-first environment and understand how to communicate effectively with field superintendents, subcontractors, designers, and clients alike.
• Meticulous Organization: You don't let small details slip through the cracks, whether you're reviewing a trim package or organizing a complex bid sheet.
• Proactive Problem Solver: You anticipate potential scheduling or material supply chain bottlenecks before they impact the job site.
• Local Coastal Knowledge: Familiarity with coastal building practices, local subcontractor networks, and wind-borne debris/coastal building requirements is a significant plus.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary based on experience.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays.
• A supportive, professional office environment with room for career advancement into Project Management or Lead Estimating.