Senior Estimator – Commercial Construction

Compass HR Consulting, LLC; Troy (MI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation—2 weeks annually

Monthly automobile allowance

401(k) with company match

BCBS/Blue Care Network insurance

Company-paid long-term disability

Company-paid short-term disability

Company-paid life insurance

Bonus based on merit

Company credit card for direct costs

Company-paid cell phone or phone/allow

Company-paid laptop

Job summary

Compass HR Consulting, LLC's client is a Michigan-based general contractor seeking an experienced Senior Estimator to lead estimating and preconstruction from opportunity through buyout and turnover. You will read drawings, develop accurate estimates, and coordinate with subcontractors and suppliers to capture all scopes and price the project correctly.

You will manage bid packages, perform quantity takeoffs, and track market pricing while building strong relationships with clients, architects,

Qualifications

• Reads and interprets construction drawings and specs to develop estimates.
• Manages estimating and preconstruction from opportunity to buyout.
• Develops bid packages and solicits subcontractor pricing.
• Performs quantity takeoffs and prepares project budgets.

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 commercial construction blueprints and drawings to understand project scope and develop estimates.
• Prepare conceptual to final construction estimates.
• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs and budgets.
• Develop bid packages and solicit pricing from subcontractors and suppliers.
• Lead subcontractor negotiations and buyout process.
• Identify value-engineering opportunities.

Skills

Estimating

Preconstruction

Reading drawings

Negotiation

Budgeting

Communication

Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management or Engineering

Tools

Estimating software

Microsoft Excel

Job description

About the Company

Our client is a fourth-generation, family-owned general contractor and construction management company with over 100 years of construction experience. Headquartered in Michigan, the company has expanded its presence nationally, with offices in multiple states.

The company specializes in Commercial, Industrial, Institutional, Retail, and Multi-Family construction and is known for its long-standing relationships with clients, design professionals, subcontractors, and suppliers.

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.

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 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 applicable 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 experience working for established commercial general contractors.
• Proven ability to read and interpret construction drawings and blueprints.
• 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, be able to read and interpret construction drawings, develop accurate estimates, negotiate 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 relationships, and contribute to the company's continued growth.

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

• 2 weeks' vacation annually
• Monthly automobile allowance
• 401(k) with company match
• BCBS/Blue Care Network insurance
• Company-paid long-term and short-term disability
• Company-paid life insurance
• Bonus based on merit and overall company performance
• Company credit card for direct costs
• Company-paid cell phone or phone allowance
• Company-paid laptop computer

Benefits are subject to applicable plan documents and company policies.