Senior Estimator

SG Contracting, Inc.; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

SG Contracting, Inc. is seeking an experienced Senior Estimator to join our Preconstruction team in Atlanta.

This role leads detailed estimates, budgets, and proposals for commercial construction, guiding the bid process from document review to project handoff. The ideal candidate has 5+ years of estimating or preconstruction experience, strong knowledge of construction documents, and a proven ability to develop value engineering and risk mitigation strategies.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of commercial construction estimating or preconstruction experience.
• Experience developing estimates for ground-up commercial construction, interiors, or design-build projects.
• Strong understanding of construction documents, plans, specs, scopes of work, and construction means and methods.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation of detailed estimates, budgets, and proposals for commercial construction projects.
• Review drawings, specifications, bid documents, addenda, and contract requirements to develop project understanding.
• Perform quantity takeoffs and estimate labor, materials, equipment, subcontractor costs.
• Develop and maintain detailed estimates throughout the preconstruction and bidding process.
• Identify scope gaps, risks, and opportunities for value engineering and cost savings.

Skills

Estimating

Preconstruction

Bid management

Cost estimating

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management or related field

Tools

Estimating software

CAD

Microsoft Excel

Job description

SG Contracting is seeking an experienced Senior Estimator to join our Preconstruction team. This position will play a key role in developing competitive, accurate, and comprehensive estimates and proposals for a variety of commercial construction projects. The Senior Estimator will work closely with the Director of Preconstruction, project teams, clients, design professionals, subcontractors, and vendors throughout the preconstruction and bidding process. This individual should be comfortable taking ownership of estimates from initial document review through proposal submission and project handoff. The ideal candidate brings strong technical estimating experience, excellent communication skills, sound judgment, and the ability to identify opportunities for value engineering, cost savings, and risk mitigation. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Estimator who is ready to take on greater responsibility and contribute to the growth and success of SG Contracting's Preconstruction team.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the preparation of detailed estimates, budgets, and proposals for commercial construction projects.
• Independently review drawings, specifications, bid documents, addenda, and contract requirements to develop a comprehensive understanding of project scope.
• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs and accurately estimate labor, material, equipment, subcontractor, and other project costs.
• Develop and maintain detailed estimates throughout the preconstruction and bidding process.
• Identify scope gaps, inconsistencies, conflicts, and potential project risks within construction documents.
• Develop project-specific scopes of work, assumptions, clarifications, exclusions, and qualifications.
• Review subcontractor and vendor proposals, including pricing, scope, exclusions, qualifications, and contractual requirements.
• Solicit and evaluate competitive bids from subcontractors, suppliers, and vendors to ensure adequate coverage across all scopes of work.
• Lead communication with subcontractors and vendors throughout the bidding process to clarify scope, pricing, schedule, and qualifications.
• Evaluate design alternatives and develop value engineering recommendations based on cost, quality, constructability, schedule, and material availability.
• Identify potential cost savings and risk mitigation opportunities and communicate recommendations to leadership and project stakeholders.
• Develop preliminary project schedules, milestones, sequencing, and construction duration assumptions as they relate to estimating and preconstruction.
• Participate in pre-bid meetings, site walks, proposal reviews, handoff meetings, and post-bid/post-mortem meetings.

Project & Document Management

• Review bid requirements and establish critical dates, including site visits, RFIs, addenda, proposal deadlines, and required submission materials.
• Develop and maintain project bid documentation, including RFI logs, bid tabs, assumptions and clarifications, scope sheets, change logs, and project history.
• Coordinate with project teams to support a smooth transition from preconstruction to operations.
• Maintain organized and accurate estimating documentation throughout each pursuit.
• Assist with developing and improving estimating processes, tools, templates, and best practices.
• Serve as a knowledgeable resource to Estimators, Project Engineers, and other members of the Preconstruction team.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to less experienced team members on estimating practices, scope development, bid solicitation, and construction documents.
• Collaborate with Project Managers, Superintendents, and operations teams to ensure estimates reflect realistic construction means, methods, sequencing, and project requirements.
• Communicate effectively with clients, architects, engineers, consultants, subcontractors, suppliers, vendors, and internal leadership.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, design professionals, and clients.
• Represent SG Contracting professionally throughout the pursuit and preconstruction process.

Client & Business Development

• Support the Director of Preconstruction and leadership team in pursuing new project opportunities.
• Participate in client presentations, proposal reviews, interviews, and other business development activities as needed.
• Develop and maintain relationships with existing and prospective clients, design professionals, subcontractors, suppliers, and vendors.
• Help strengthen SG Contracting's reputation for professionalism, responsiveness, quality, and collaboration.
• Identify opportunities to expand and strengthen SG Contracting's relationships and future project pipeline.

What We’re Looking For

• 5+ years of commercial construction estimating or preconstruction experience.
• Experience developing estimates for ground-up commercial construction, interiors, design-build, or similarly complex projects.
• Strong understanding of construction documents, plans, specifications, scopes of work, and construction means and methods.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage estimates from initial document review through proposal submission.
• Strong quantity takeoff and cost estimating skills.
• Experience soliciting, leveling, and analyzing subcontractor and vendor proposals.
• Ability to identify scope gaps, risks, conflicts, and opportunities for value engineering.
• Strong understanding of project scheduling, sequencing, and construction processes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to establish and maintain productive relationships with clients, design professionals, subcontractors, suppliers, and internal teams.
• Demonstrated leadership and mentoring capabilities.
• Proficiency with estimating and construction management software.
• Strong computer skills and willingness to learn and adopt technology that improves estimating and preconstruction processes.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field preferred, but equivalent construction experience will be considered.

Preferred Certifications

Safety

At SG Contracting, safety is everyone's responsibility.

The Senior Estimator is expected to support SG Contracting's safety culture by considering safety, constructability, and project execution during the preconstruction process and by demonstrating personal behavior that reflects our commitment to returning every worker home safely each day.

Inclusive & People-Focused

At SG Contracting, we believe that diversity drives innovation and excellence. We are committed to creating a workplace where every team member feels supported, included, and empowered to achieve success.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. SG Contracting is a background-screening, drug-free workplace.