Remote Senior Cost Estimator

Above Group, Inc.; Fort Worth (TX); Remote; USD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Life and disability coverage

Employer-funded HSA contributions

Profit-sharing bonus

Job summary

Above Group seeks a Senior Cost Estimator to own cost estimating on design projects from conceptual budgeting through construction documents. You will lead the estimator role on assigned projects, guiding engineers, PMs, and clients on dollar-involved decisions.

The position maintains the master unit-cost database, standards, and templates, influencing project selection and pricing strategy. Strong government/healthcare experience highly valued.

Qualifications

• 6–10 years in cost estimating, general contracting, or related construction work.
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field; equivalent experience considered.
• Experience in government and healthcare markets preferred.
• Ability to benchmark labor and material costs against historical data, vendor quotes, and subcontractor pricing.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage cost estimates for multi-disciplinary projects at all design phases; own accuracy as lead estimator.
• Perform quantity takeoffs from Revit and AutoCAD with BIM and design teams.
• Resolve gaps between design intent, scope, and budget through value engineering and cost-benefit analysis.
• Prepare conceptual budgets, fee proposals, and comparative cost models for business development.
• Write basis-of-estimate narratives, cost reports, scope clarifications, and RFIs.

Skills

Cost estimating

General contracting

BIM takeoffs

Revit

AutoCAD

Excel

Unit-cost databases

Cost analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management or Engineering

Equivalent field/trade experience

Tools

RSMeans

Sage Estimating/Accubid

ConEst

WinEst

Bluebeam Revu

On-Screen Takeoff

Job description

Senior Cost Estimator (SCE)

Remote | Hybrid option: Melbourne, FL or Ellicott City, MD

Salary Range: $125,000-$150,000

The Role

Above Group is looking for a Senior Cost Estimator to own cost estimating on our design projects, from conceptual budgeting through construction documents. You will serve as lead estimator on assigned projects and be the person engineers, project managers, and clients turn to when a design decision has a dollar figure attached. Our portfolio leans heavily toward government and healthcare work, where estimates must be accurate, defensible, and tied tightly to scope.

This is a senior role with real latitude. You will build and maintain the department’s master unit-cost database and historical cost library, set the standards and templates the team estimates by, and directly influence which projects we pursue and how we price them.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and manage cost estimates for multi-disciplinary projects at every design phase, conceptual, schematic, design development, and construction documents, and own their accuracy and consistency; serving as lead estimator on assigned projects
• Perform quantity takeoffs directly from Revit and AutoCAD models alongside our BIM and design teams
• Resolve gaps between design intent, scope, and budget through value engineering and cost-benefit analysis
• Prepare conceptual budgets, fee proposals, and comparative cost models supporting business development for prospective clients and projects
• Write basis-of-estimate (BOE) narratives, cost reports, scope clarifications, and qualifications/exclusions; respond to RFIs
• Build and maintain the department’s unit-cost database, historical cost library, and estimating standards
• Keep estimates current with code requirements, jurisdictional fees, local bidding conditions, labor rates, and material pricing
• Review design concepts with engineering leads and project managers to align design intent with project budgets

What you Bring to the Role

• 6–10 years in cost estimating, general contracting, or related construction work (or an equivalent combination of education and experience)
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field; equivalent field/trade experience considered
• General contracting background strongly preferred, with hands-on field and/or estimating experience
• Estimating experience in the government and healthcare markets strongly preferred
• Experience benchmarking labor and material costs against historical data, vendor quotes, and subcontractor pricing.
• Working knowledge of estimating platforms (RSMeans, Sage Estimating/Accubid, ConEst, WinEst, Trade Service) and takeoff tools (Bluebeam Revu, On-Screen Takeoff, or similar)
• Enough Revit and AutoCAD to extract quantities and review MEP design documents
• Proficient knowledge of computers and Microsoft Suite (Outlook, Word); Advanced Excel: pivot tables, formulas, macros
• Familiarity with mechanical, electrical, plumbing, structural, telecommunications, and fire protection systems as they relate to cost, constructability, and market pricing
• Strong understanding of general contracting practices, bid processes, subcontractor scope leveling, and contractor cost coding (CSI MasterFormat)
• Strong written and verbal communication; you can hold your own with clients, contractors, and senior leadership
• Ability to work independently/self-motivated, as well as in a collaborative team setting, highly organized, and detail oriented
• Impactful analytical, strategic planning, with the ability to manage multiple estimates and deadlines simultaneously.
• Discretion and dependability with sensitive cost and client information
• U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent residency
• Willingness to travel up to 20% for site visits and client meetings

Nice to have:

ASPE Certified Professional Estimator (CPE), AACE Certified Estimating Professional (CEP), or similar certification.

Why Above Group

We are a faith-based AEC firm built around a simple idea: continuously improving the built environment for the glory of God. Our mission is to demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ by empowering excellent AEC professionals to provide superior service. Four values guide how we work: Christian Values, Uncompromising Quality, Buffalo (running toward challenges rather than away from them), and Extreme Team. If that resonates with you, you will fit here.

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• life and disability coverage
• employer-funded HSA contributions
• an annual profit-sharing bonus tied to the company’s collective results.

Remote Work Requirements

This role is fully remote or a hybrid option for candidates residing near Melbourne, FL or Ellicott City, MD. Any type of remote work requires reliable high-speed internet capable of supporting video conferencing, VPN, and cloud applications; a secure home network appropriate for confidential company and client information; and a dedicated, quiet workspace suitable for sustained focus and professional video meetings.