Residential Estimator

Sol é Construction Partners, LLC; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

3 weeks PTO

7 paid holidays

401(k) matching

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Vision insurance

Job summary

Leola Construction in Houston is seeking a Residential Estimator to turn plans into accurate bids for production homes. You will specialize in foundations and framing, performing quantity takeoffs and analyzing plans to produce well-documented estimates.

You will work with purchasing, project management, and subcontractors to ensure bids reflect current field costs. The ideal candidate has 3–5+ years in residential estimating, with experience in foundation/framing packages and knowledge of

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of hands-on estimating experience in residential construction.
• Experience estimating foundation and framing packages for production homes preferred.
• Strong plan-reading and takeoff skills across foundations and framing.
• Knowledge of Houston soil conditions, codes, and permitting.

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed cost estimates for residential projects in Houston with emphasis on foundations/framing.
• Perform quantity takeoffs from architectural/structural plans.
• Analyze blueprints and site conditions to develop complete estimates.
• Solicit and evaluate pricing from subs/suppliers to stay competitive.
• Monitor material/labor cost trends and adjust unit costs accordingly.
• Collaborate with PMs, superintendents, and purchasing to reconcile costs.
• Maintain cost databases and estimating templates for Houston market.
• Participate in bid walks and plan reviews.
• Identify value-engineering opportunities while ensuring code compliance.
• Support contract negotiations and scope reviews with subs.

Skills

Plan reading

Quantity takeoff

Estimating

Excel skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management

Tools

On-Screen Takeoff

PlanSwift

Bluebeam

BuildPro

Job description

Residential Estimator

Houston, Texas • Full-Time • Exempt

About Leola Construction

Leola Construction builds residential projects from the ground up — real job sites, real crews, and real craftsmanship. We're growing our Houston operations and looking for a detail-driven estimator who can turn a set of plans into an accurate, competitive bid, and who takes pride in getting the numbers right the first time.

about the role

The Residential Estimator is responsible for preparing accurate, timely cost estimates for Leola Construction's production residential projects in the Houston market. This role takes plans from quantity takeoff through a finished bid, with a focus on foundation and framing scopes, and works closely with purchasing, project managers, and subcontractors to keep estimates grounded in real field costs. The ideal candidate has hands-on estimating experience with production homebuilders, preferably with a background in foundation and/or frame estimating, and is comfortable with Houston-specific soil, code, and permitting conditions.

here’s what you get to do

• Prepare detailed, accurate cost estimates for residential projects throughout the Houston market, with emphasis on foundation and/or framing packages for production homes.
• Perform quantity takeoffs from architectural and structural plans for concrete foundations, framing, and related scopes.
• Analyze blueprints, specifications, and site conditions to develop complete, well-documented estimates.
• Solicit, compare, and evaluate pricing from subcontractors, suppliers, and vendors to ensure estimates are competitive and accurate.
• Monitor material and labor cost trends in the Houston market and adjust estimates and unit costs accordingly.
• Partner with project managers, superintendents, and purchasing to reconcile estimated costs against actual field costs and refine future bids.
• Maintain and update unit cost databases, historical cost data, and estimating templates for the Houston market.
• Participate in bid walks, pre-bid meetings, and plan reviews.
• Identify value-engineering opportunities and cost-saving alternatives without compromising quality or code compliance.
• Support contract negotiations and scope reviews with subcontractors.
• Track plan and option changes across production home series and update estimates to match.
• Account for Houston-specific conditions — expansive clay soils, foundation engineering requirements, permitting, and local code — in every estimate.
• Assist with bid tabulation, change order pricing, and reconciliation of actual vs. estimated costs.

why you’d be a great fit

• 3-5+ years of experience in residential construction estimating, preferably with a production homebuilder.
• Experience estimating foundation and/or frame packages for production residential homes strongly preferred.
• Strong plan-reading and quantity takeoff skills across foundations, framing, and related structural scopes.
• Familiarity with Houston-area soil conditions (expansive clay), foundation engineering requirements, and local building codes.
• Proficiency with estimating and takeoff software (e.g., On-Screen Takeoff, PlanSwift, Bluebeam, Buildpro) and strong Excel skills.
• Established relationships with, or ability to build relationships with, Houston-area subcontractors and suppliers.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and written/verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple estimates and bid deadlines simultaneously.
• Bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering, or a related field preferred, or equivalent hands-on experience.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• Primarily an office-based role with regular plan review and desk-based takeoff work.
• Periodic visits to active residential job sites throughout the Houston metro area to verify field conditions and measurements.
• Able to walk active construction sites, including uneven or unfinished terrain, as needed.
• Able to sit or stand for extended periods while reviewing plans and preparing estimates.

what we offer

• Discretionary bonus opportunity
• 3 weeks of PTO
• 7 paid holidays | 4 Floating Holidays

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Leola Construction is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.