Senior Commercial Estimator — Preconstruction Lead

Blueprint Search Group; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 80,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Blueprint Search Group in Cincinnati is seeking an experienced Commercial Construction Estimator to lead preconstruction estimates for commercial renovations, tenant improvements, and MEP-heavy projects. You will manage takeoffs, CSI Divisions 02–33, and GMP pricing from concept through sets of documents.

The ideal candidate has 5–10 years of estimating experience with a general contractor, strong Excel skills, and a proven ability to bid, negotiate, and turn over accurate estimates and SOVs to

Qualifications

• 5–10 years of commercial construction estimating experience with a general contractor.
• Strong knowledge of commercial construction methods, materials, and sequencing.
• Experience estimating across CSI Divisions 02–33.
• Strong understanding of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) scopes.
• Demonstrated ability to perform detailed quantity takeoffs.
• Experience soliciting, reviewing, and leveling subcontractor bids.
• Ability to identify scope gaps and pricing risks before construction.
• Strong bid-day organization and ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Understanding of building codes, permitting, and commercial construction requirements.
• Strong Excel skills and experience with construction estimating software.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate and negotiate effectively with subcontractors, owners, design teams, and internal project teams.

Responsibilities

• Prepare conceptual, schematic, design development, construction document, and GMP estimates.
• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs for architectural, structural, civil, and MEP scopes.
• Develop complete estimates across CSI Divisions 02–33.
• Solicit bids from subcontractors and suppliers and ensure adequate trade coverage.
• Review and level subcontractor proposals to identify exclusions, overlaps, and scope gaps.
• Develop estimate summaries, bid tabs, schedules of values, and supporting documentation.
• Clearly document assumptions, inclusions, exclusions, clarifications, and potential project risks.
• Identify missing or unresolved scope early in the preconstruction process.
• Develop value-engineering alternatives and pricing options.
• Maintain cost databases, historical pricing, unit costs, and estimating assemblies.
• Assist with schedule-based estimating and construction sequencing.
• Participate in owner, architect, engineer, and preconstruction meetings.
• Work with subcontractors to clarify scopes and negotiate competitive pricing.
• Support project buyout and provide recommendations to the construction team.
• Lead the commercial and estimating portion of project turnover from preconstruction to operations.
• Provide final estimates, SOVs, bid tabs, subcontractor quotes, accepted VE items, clarifications, and buyout recommendations during turnover.

Skills

Microsoft Excel

Communication skills

Quantity takeoffs

Bid management

Preconstruction estimating

Tools

Autodesk Forma

ProEst

Autodesk Construction Cloud

BIM platforms

Primavera P6 / MS Project

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Blueprint Search Group in Cincinnati is seeking an experienced Commercial Construction Estimator to lead preconstruction estimates for commercial renovations, tenant improvements, and MEP-heavy projects. You will manage takeoffs, CSI Divisions 02–33, and GMP pricing from concept through sets of documents.

The ideal candidate has 5–10 years of estimating experience with a general contractor, strong Excel skills, and a proven ability to bid, negotiate, and turn over accurate estimates and SOVs to