Project Estimator / Commercial Architectural Woodworking

CS Architectural Woodworking; Illinois; On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

CSW is seeking a Project Estimator to own the end-to-end bid process for high-end commercial woodworking projects. You will deliver detailed, accurate proposals, verify scope, and protect margins while aligning with construction schedules.

Collaborate closely with the Project Development Coordinator to obtain missing information and drive profitability by reducing uncertainty before fabrication. You will manage bid preparation, takeoffs, documentation, and reporting, ensuring clear communication

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in CM/Engineering/Architecture.
• 3+ years estimating commercial woodworking, millwork or architectural finishes, preferred.
• Proven track record of delivering high-accuracy bids under tight deadlines.
• INNERGY proficiency is a massive plus (Opportunity setup through production tracking).
• Familiarity with drafting platforms.
• Strong understanding of AWI casework standards and shop fabrication workflows.

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed, line-item bids in INNERGY that align with drawings, specs, and client expectations.
• Proactively resolve ambiguities via RFIs and RFP clarifications to lock down scope and schedule.
• Collect, verify, and organize all project documentation (schedules, specs, drawings).
• Complete accurate takeoffs by location, group, and product—maintaining Work Order flow.
• Aggressively pursue missing data or RFIs, and relay gaps to the appropriate team members.
• Maintain opportunity folders so any team member can review project status without follow-up.

Skills

Analytical mindset

Proactive thinking

Attention to detail

Education

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

Tools

INNERGY

Drafting platforms

Job description

Job Description

Job Description

Company Overview
CSW was established in 2013 as a premium manufacturer of custom architectural woodworking for high-end commercial clients. We work with GC's all over the Chicago-land area as providers of casework and millwork for schools, healthcare facilities, public buildings, private offices, and many other types of facilities.

Our Position: WE GET THE JOB DONE.

Our Core Values

• A "More-Than" Mindset
• • Smart work ethicExpect quality of self & othersEfficient, Clean, Organized
  • Tenacious
• Effective Leadership
• • Competence
  • Caring (equitable)
  • Conviction
  • Pragmatic
• Excellence
• • Know our worth
  • Integrity
  • No subpar work
  • Dependable, but strategic

Our Core Focus

Purpose/Cause/Passion: A legacy of counter-culture in millwork

Niche: AWI QCP & MBE work at the national level

This company has grown exponentially and in a short amount of time, and there is a lot of potential growth still to come, both for the company, and personally for you, if you're up for the challenge. As such, we hope you get the best out of us and we hope to get the best of you. We'd love to be a better company because of you, and we'd love for you to be a better individual because of us.

Position Overview
As our Project Estimator, you’ll own the end-to-end bid process—delivering detailed, accurate proposals that ensure scope clarity, protect margin, and align with construction schedules. You’ll partner closely with the Project Development Coordinator, pursue missing information proactively, and make ‘The Goal’ your guiding principle: drive throughput (profitability) by eliminating uncertainty before fabrication even begins.

Key Responsibilities

Bid Preparation & Scope Verification

• Prepare detailed, line-item bids in INNERGY, our ERP software, that align with drawings, specs, and client expectations.
• Proactively resolve ambiguities via RFIs and RFP clarifications to lock down scope and schedule.

Documentation & Takeoffs

• Collect, verify, and organize all project documentation (schedules, specs, drawings).
• Complete accurate takeoffs by location, group, and product—always keeping Work Order flow in mind.

Information Pursuit & Communication

• Aggressively pursue any missing data or RFIs generated by the Setup Specialist.
• Relay gaps or discrepancies immediately to the Project Development Coordinator or the Director of Project Development.

Folder Management & Reporting

• Maintain Opportunity folders so any team member can review project status without follow-up.
• Highlight potential constraints in scope, timeline, or information early—escalating as needed.

Continuous Improvement & TOC Alignment

• Demonstrate complete mastery of The Goal and embed Theory of Constraints principles into estimating.
• Provide feedback on process bottlenecks and suggest refinements to improve throughput.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 3+ years’ experience estimating commercial woodworking, millwork, or architectural finishes, preferred
• Proven track record of delivering high‑accuracy bids under tight deadlines
• INNERGY proficiency a massive plus (from Opportunity setup through production tracking)
• Familiarity with drafting platforms
• Deep understanding of Theory of Constraints; ideally having read The Goal (if not, we’ll teach the right person)
• Strong understanding of AWI casework standards and shop fabrication workflows
• Able to read and interpret architectural, MEP, and structural drawings
• Methodical, organized, and relentless about accuracy
• Analytical mindset with a proactive approach to identifying and resolving potential issues early in the project lifecycle
• A proactive mindset with a commitment to quality, efficiency, and continuous improvement
• Teachable, team-minded, with aggressive intelligent initiative and a strong bias for action
• Strong nego