Senior Project Cost Estimator

Scott Conner Human Capital Solutions; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading human capital solutions firm seeks a Senior Cost Estimator to oversee construction cost estimates for various projects. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in financial analysis, excellent communication skills, and a strong grasp of local labor and material costs. Key responsibilities include preparing accurate cost estimates, negotiating agreements, and developing strategies for budget management across educational building projects.

Qualifications

• 10 years of full-time experience in cost estimation for building construction.
• 2 years in a supervisory capacity.
• Extensive experience in estimating scope of work for change orders.

Responsibilities

• Plans and supervises construction cost estimates from drawings and specifications.
• Checks accuracy of contractor estimates and confers with architects.
• Establishes budgets for school building projects.

Skills

Knowledge of local construction costs

Good oral and written communication skills

Ability to analyze change orders

Education

Bachelor’s degree in architecture, engineering or construction management

Job description

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Plans, supervises, and participates in the preparation of construction cost estimates of buildings or other structures from drawings, outlines, and specifications
• Prepares and reviews cost estimates and forms and other materials submitted to secure State and/or federal grants and loans from school aid programs and represents the District on matters pertinent to securing such funds
• Checks construction cost estimates submitted by commissioned architects and engineers for accuracy and completeness and compares them with District estimates
• Confers with commissioned architects and engineers to resolve differences in their cost estimates and District estimates for each project and negotiates agreements on preliminary estimates of construction costs
• Makes studies and prepares reports when contractors' bids vary widely from the agreed construction cost estimate
• Checks segregations of contract costs as estimated by building contractors and recommends acceptance or rejection as a basis for progress payments
• Analyzes change orders on construction work under contract and approves or rejects extras or credits submitted
• Prepares or reviews cost estimates for projects
• Establishes and maintains procedures for approval of plans and specifications for building projects and submission of approved projects to public bidding
• Develops methods for maintaining data used in records, charts, and graphs reflecting estimated construction costs compared with actual costs
• Conducts and participates in seminars and workshops with staff and minority contractors relative to school construction bidding procedures, contracts, and cost estimating
• Estimates costs of damages to District property caused by fire, natural disaster, and major acts of vandalism
• Establishes budgets for school building projects
• Assists other branches with related functions
• Prepares preliminary and final independent cost estimates of projects for comparison with designer or contractor for PM/CM to establish negotiating position
• Prepares change order estimates for Owner Authorized Representatives to establish negotiating position
• Provides support in price negotiations
• Prepares claim analyses and estimates
• Reviews contractor’s claims and proposals for merit and accountability
• Performs related duties as assigned

Required Experience/Skills:

• 10 years full time paid professional experience in the preparation of complete cost estimates for type I, II, or III, and V building construction as defined by the State building code, including two years in a supervisory capacity
• Knowledge of current local construction labor and material costs
• Extensive experience in developing and estimating the scope of work for change orders
• Ability to compare the independent cost estimate with contractor proposal to quickly identify differences
• Ability to develop scope of work based on RFI/RFC answers and estimates the detailed costs of those scopes of work independent of the contractor proposal
• Good oral and written communications skills

Required Education:

• Graduation from a recognized college or university with a bachelor’s degree in architecture, engineering or construction management.