Senior Cost Estimator

LeChase Construction Services, LLC; City of Rochester (NY); On-site; USD 125,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

HSA/FSA

401(k)

Paid maternity leave

Disability insurance

Bonus incentive program

Holiday pay

Paid time off

Job summary

LeChase Construction Services, LLC is seeking a senior estimator to lead early-stage estimating and preconstruction for commercial projects across the Northeast. You will develop conceptual budgets from limited design data, interpreting drawings, specs, narratives, and site conditions while applying regional pricing.

The role collaborates with owners, architects, engineers, developers, and internal teams to define scope, identify risks, and provide reliable cost guidance from concept through

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; AS/BS in civil engineering or construction management preferred.
• 10+ years of construction experience.
• Extensive knowledge of estimating/budgeting methods and procedures.
• Expert understanding of unit costs and cost drivers.
• Ability to coordinate a team of estimators on large multidisciplinary projects.
• Review project plans, requirements, and specs under tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preconstruction effort for designated projects.
• Schedule kickoff, progress, and final estimate reviews.
• Coordinate with clients and design teams to align deliverables.
• Disseminate follow-up actions, value engineering, and revisions.
• Merge estimates into a single, report-ready document.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Cost estimating

Budgeting

Team coordination

Time management

Attention to detail

Education

BS/AS in Civil Engineering or Construction Management

Tools

Estimating software

Microsoft Excel

Project management tools

Job description

Responsible to lead the early-stage estimating and preconstruction process for commercial construction projects throughout the Northeast.

The position develops conceptual budgets and preliminary estimates from limited design information, interpreting architectural and structural drawings, specifications, narratives, and site conditions while applying regional labor, material, subcontractor, and market pricing.

The role works closely with owners, architects, engineers, developers, and internal project teams to define project scope, identify cost drivers and risks, develop value-engineering opportunities, and provide reliable cost guidance from initial concept through design development. Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills are essential, with the ability to clearly articulate complex cost, scope, and design considerations, build trust with project stakeholders, and effectively guide teams through the preconstruction process.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Overall responsibility to manage the preconstruction effort for those projects to which he or she is designated the lead estimator.
• Schedule kickoff meetings, progress review meetings, and final estimate reviews.
• Coordinate with the internal and external customer to ensure all entities are coordinated regarding deliverables and meetings.
• Disseminate all required follow up actions to the entire estimating team involved in the effort. This could include value engineering, drawing revisions, etc.
• Merge all independent estimates into one common estimate file which the lead estimator will manage to prepare the necessary reports to both internal and external customers.

FEATURED BENEFITS

Medical insurance, Vision insurance, Dental insurance, HSA/FSA, 401(k), Paid maternity leave, Disability insurance, Bonus incentive program, Holiday pay, Paid time off.

COMPENSATION

Base salary range: $125,000 - $185,000 / Year

* Salary commensurate upon experience *

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education/Experience:
• High school diploma required. Associates/Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, construction management, or a similar field preferred.
• 10+ year of construction experience.
• Basic knowledge of safety policies and procedures.
• Extensive knowledge of construction cost estimating/budgeting methods and procedures.
• High level of proficiency with construction-related software and tools, methodologies, and best practices.
• Must have expert knowledge and understanding of unit costs and the factors that affect construction cost.
• Ability to coordinate a team of estimators to develop a large multidisciplinary estimate.
• Demonstrated ability to review project plans, requirements, and specifications accurately and under time-sensitive deadlines.
• Ability to understand project logistics and project schedule.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

A culture of empowerment. A place to thrive.

EEO Statement: LeChase is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination of any kind during the hiring process, including but not limited to discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, disability, protected Veteran status, nationality, religion, age, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or any other non-merit-based factor.

About LeChase Construction Services, LLC

Established in 1944, LeChase prides itself on offering the capabilities of a large firm while maintaining the personalized service of a small firm. Today, the company ranks among the nation’s top contractors -serving clients through a variety of delivery methods to support projects of all sizes across a range of industries. With a dedicated team of talented professionals striving to deliver excellence, the firm has earned a reputation for quality, safety and integrity. In addition to serving customers from its operations across the East Coast, LeChase can provide resources to meet the unique needs of clients no matter where they are located.