Remote Senior Cost Estimator

Above Group; United States; Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Above Group is seeking a Senior Cost Estimator to own cost estimating on design projects, from conceptual budgeting through construction documents. You will lead the estimation effort on assigned projects and act as the go-to person when a dollar figure is involved.

The role emphasizes accurate, defensible estimates tied to scope, with responsibilities to maintain the cost database and influence project selection and pricing strategy.

Qualifications

• 6–10 years in cost estimating.
• Experience with budgeting and forecasting.
• Familiarity with government and healthcare projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage cost estimates for multi-disciplinary projects at every design phase, including conceptual, schematic, design development, and construction documents.
• Perform quantity takeoffs directly from BIM models (Revit/AutoCAD) with BIM/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 respond to RFIs.
• Maintain the unit-cost database and historical cost library, and updating estimating standards.
• Keep estimates current with codes, fees, bidding conditions, labor rates, and material pricing.
• Review design concepts with engineering leads to align design intents with budgets.

Skills

Cost estimation

Lead estimator

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

Job description

Senior Cost Estimator (SCE)Remote | Hybrid option: Melbourne, FL or Ellicott City, MDSalary Range: $125,000-$150,000The RoleAbove 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, gene