Senior Estimator – Commercial Construction

Compass HR Consulting, LLC

Charlotte (NC)

On-site

USD 90,000 - 135,000

Full time

3 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Vacation 2 weeks

Auto allowance

401(k) match

Health insurance (BCBS)

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Bonus based on merit

Company card for direct costs

Phone allowance

Laptop provided

Job summary

Compass HR Consulting, LLC seeks a hands-on Senior Estimator to lead estimating and preconstruction in the Charlotte market. You will manage the full process from opportunity to buyout, read drawings, develop accurate estimates, and negotiate with subcontractors to protect budgets.

You will build strong relationships with local subs, suppliers, architects, and engineers, and coordinate with owners and project teams to ensure successful turnovers.

Qualifications

5–10+ years of commercial construction estimating/preconstruction experience.
Strong preference for candidates with direct Charlotte, NC market experience.
Established network of local subcontractors and suppliers.
Proven ability to independently estimate and manage projects from bid to buyout.
Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent hands-on estimating experience considered.

Responsibilities

Manage the complete estimating and preconstruction process from initial opportunity through final buyout and project turnover.
Review drawings, specs, addenda, geotechnical reports and other documents to develop accurate estimates.
Read and interpret blueprints to understand scope and develop estimates.
Prepare conceptual to final construction estimates (conceptual, schematic, design-development).
Perform detailed quantity takeoffs and develop complete project budgets.
Develop bid packages and solicit competitive pricing from subcontractors and suppliers.
Maintain and expand relationships with Charlotte-area subs, suppliers, architects, engineers, and consultants.
Analyze subcontractor proposals for scope, exclusions, qualifications, and pricing.
Lead bid leveling and identify scope gaps before awards.
Lead subcontractor negotiations and select subs.
Complete subcontractor buyout ensuring coverage aligns with budget.
Identify value-engineering opportunities without compromising requirements.
Collaborate with ownership, architects, engineers, PMs, and superintendents in preconstruction.
Track material, labor, and subcontractor pricing in Charlotte/Carolinas.
Prepare estimate summaries, bid comparisons, budgets and presentations for management.
Participate in handoff meetings and transfer estimates to operations.
Manage nationwide estimating/preconstruction, adapting to regional markets.
Build relationships with clients, architects, and design partners for repeat business.

Skills

Communication

Negotiation

Organizational skills

Analytical thinking

Excel proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field

Tools

Estimating software

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Location: Charlotte, North Carolina

Full-Time

About the Company

Our client is a fourth-generation, family-owned general contractor and construction management company with over 100 years of construction experience. Originally established in Michigan, the company has grown into a national construction organization with offices across multiple states.

The company specializes in Commercial, Industrial, Institutional, Retail, and Multi-Family construction and has built its reputation through long-standing relationships with clients, design professionals, subcontractors, and suppliers.

As the company continues to expand its presence in the Carolinas, we are seeking an experienced Senior Estimator to help support continued growth in the Charlotte market.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Senior Estimator to manage estimating and preconstruction efforts from the initial project opportunity through final subcontractor buyout and project turnover.

The ideal candidate will be a hands‑on senior estimator who understands how a project will actually be built, can read and interpret construction drawings and blueprints, develop accurate estimates, work directly with subcontractors and suppliers, and take ownership of the estimating process through final buyout.

A strong understanding of the Charlotte‑area commercial construction market and established relationships with local subcontractors and suppliers are highly valued.

Key Responsibilities

Manage the complete estimating and preconstruction process from initial opportunity through final buyout and project turnover.
Review drawings, specifications, addenda, geotechnical reports, and other construction documents to develop accurate estimates.
Read and interpret commercial construction blueprints and drawings to understand project scope and develop accurate estimates.
Prepare conceptual, schematic, design-development, and final construction estimates.
Perform detailed quantity takeoffs and develop complete project budgets.
Develop bid packages and solicit competitive pricing from qualified subcontractors and suppliers.
Maintain and expand relationships with Charlotte‑area subcontractors, suppliers, architects, engineers, and consultants.
Analyze subcontractor proposals for scope completeness, exclusions, qualifications, and pricing.
Conduct bid leveling and identify scope gaps before subcontract awards are made.
Lead subcontractor negotiations and make recommendations for subcontractor selection.
Complete the subcontractor buyout process, ensuring all scopes are properly covered and aligned with the project budget.
Identify value‑engineering opportunities and provide cost‑saving recommendations without compromising project requirements.
Work closely with ownership, architects, engineers, project managers, and superintendents throughout preconstruction.
Track current material, labor, and subcontractor pricing within the Charlotte/Carolinas market.
Prepare clear estimate summaries, bid comparisons, budgets, and presentations for management.
Participate in project handoff meetings and provide a complete turnover of the estimate, subcontractor scopes, buyout information, and project assumptions to the operations team.
Manage estimating and preconstruction efforts for projects nationwide, adapting to varying regional subcontractor markets, labor conditions, material pricing, and project requirements.
Build and maintain strong relationships with existing and new clients, architects, and design partners, supporting repeat business and long‑term partnerships.

Qualifications

5–10+ years of commercial construction estimating/preconstruction experience with a general contractor.
Strong preference for candidates with direct experience in the Charlotte, North Carolina construction market.
Established network of local subcontractors and suppliers and familiarity with area architects and design professionals.
Proven ability to independently estimate and manage projects from initial bid through final subcontractor buyout.
Strong understanding of construction methods, materials, scheduling, subcontractor scopes, and sequencing.
Experience reviewing and leveling subcontractor bids and negotiating final scopes and pricing.
Ability to identify missing scope, potential cost exposure, and project risks before construction begins.
Strong knowledge of construction documents and all major divisions of work.
Excellent communication, negotiation, organizational, and analytical skills.
Proficiency with construction estimating software, Microsoft Excel, and related construction technology.
Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field is preferred; equivalent hands‑on construction estimating experience will be considered.

Ideal Candidate

We are looking for a hands‑on senior estimator, not someone who simply assembles numbers. This individual should understand how a project will actually be built, know the Charlotte subcontractor market, be comfortable negotiating scopes and pricing, and take ownership of the estimate through final buyout and turnover to the project team.

The right candidate will be able to step into the role, develop reliable subcontractor coverage, build strong local relationships, and help our company continue to grow in the Charlotte market.

Experience with an established commercial general contractor and a demonstrated history of personally managing the estimating process are highly valued.