Senior Estimator - Commercial Construction

Engtal; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 115,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Profit sharing

Job summary

Engtal in Columbus, OH is seeking a lead estimator/preconstruction professional to drive budgeting and bid processes for major commercial projects. You will collaborate with owners, design teams, and operations to develop reliable cost plans from concept through GMP/bid.

The role requires 5+ years in commercial construction estimating or preconstruction, with a GC/CM background preferred. Strong analytical, communication, and software skills are essential for success in a dynamic,

Qualifications

• 5+ years of commercial construction estimating/preconstruction experience.
• GC/CM background strongly preferred.
• Experience estimating complex projects with $20M+ exposure.
• Strong grasp of quantity takeoffs, subcontractor scopes, bid leveling and cost analysis.
• Experience across healthcare, higher education, industrial, institutional or related project types.

Responsibilities

• Lead estimates and budgets for large commercial construction projects.
• Develop conceptual, schematic, design-development, and final construction estimates.
• Perform quantity takeoffs, scope reviews, bid leveling, and subcontractor analysis.
• Manage subcontractor and vendor outreach to build competitive bid coverage.
• Identify cost risks, constructability concerns, and value-engineering opportunities.
• Partner with Project Management and field leadership during preconstruction and turnover.
• Present budgets, estimates, and recommendations to clients and internal leadership.
• Mentor developing estimators and support growth of the preconstruction team.
• Track market conditions, labor trends, material pricing, and historical cost data.

Skills

Estimating

Preconstruction

Budgeting

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management or related field

Tools

Estimating software

Job description

Columbus, OH | $115K-$155K+ Base + Bonus + Profit Sharing

Join an established Columbus General Contractor / Construction Manager and take a lead role in estimating and preconstruction for complex commercial projects across healthcare, higher education, industrial, institutional, and other major Central Ohio developments.

This role offers exposure to projects from early conceptual budgeting through final GMP / bid, with the opportunity to work closely with operations, owners, design teams, and executive leadership while developing toward broader preconstruction leadership.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead estimates and budgets for large commercial construction projects
• Develop conceptual, schematic, design-development, and final construction estimates
• Perform quantity takeoffs, scope reviews, bid leveling, and subcontractor analysis
• Manage subcontractor and vendor outreach to build competitive bid coverage
• Identify cost risks, constructability concerns, and value-engineering opportunities
• Partner with Project Management and field leadership during preconstruction and turnover
• Present budgets, estimates, and recommendations to clients and internal leadership
• Mentor developing estimators and support continued growth of the preconstruction team
• Track market conditions, labor trends, material pricing, and historical cost data

What They're Looking For

• 5+ years of commercial construction estimating / preconstruction experience
• General Contractor / Construction Manager background strongly preferred
• Experience estimating complex commercial projects, with $20M+ project exposure valued
• Strong understanding of quantity takeoffs, subcontractor scopes, bid leveling, conceptual estimating, and cost analysis
• Experience across healthcare, higher education, industrial, commercial, institutional, or similar project types
• Strong communication skills and ability to work directly with owners, design teams, subcontractors, and operations
• Estimating / preconstruction software experience
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field preferred, but equivalent industry experience will be considered

Why Consider It

• Annual bonus + profit sharing
• Exposure to both early conceptual preconstruction and detailed estimating
• Strong collaboration between Preconstruction and Operations
• Opportunity to mentor developing estimators
• Clear path toward broader preconstruction leadership