SRS - Lead Estimator – Masonry and Concrete Restoration

Houck Group Family of Companies; Seven Valleys (PA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Houck Group Family of Companies is seeking an experienced Lead Estimator for Structural Restoration Services (SRS) to own the estimating and bid process. You will lead from lead pursuit through award, coordinating with owners, GC's, architects, and subcontractors to ensure accurate, competitive proposals.

The role requires strong construction knowledge, leadership, and the ability to evaluate projects technically and financially, maintaining relationships with stakeholders and supporting

Qualifications

• Commercial construction estimating experience.
• Experience with concrete, masonry, waterproofing or building restoration preferred.
• Strong detail orientation and ability to review drawings and specs.

Responsibilities

• Lead estimating and bid development for masonry/restoration projects.
• Coordinate with subcontractors, suppliers and internal teams.
• Develop production rates, cost databases, and bid strategy.
• Provide turnover to production team and assist during execution.

Skills

Leadership & accountability

Teamwork

Organization & detail

Problem solving

Technical writing

Blueprint reading

Estimating & cost analysis

Customer service & communication

Tools

MS Word

Excel

Estimating software

Job description

SRS - Lead Estimator – Masonry and Concrete Restoration

Houck Group Family of Companies

SRS - Lead Estimator – Masonry and Concrete Restoration

259 W Ore St
Seven Valleys, PA 17360

Due to our continued growth, success, and reputation for excellence in the building restoration industry, Structural Restoration Services (SRS) is seeking an experienced Lead Estimator to join our team.

We are looking for an individual who can take ownership of the entire estimating and bid process while also providing leadership, coordination, and support to the estimating function. This position will pursue initial leads, evaluate projects, prepare and submit complete, competitive proposals, support the operations team after award, and help ensure consistency, accountability, and continuous improvement across SRS estimating activities.

The ideal candidate will have a strong construction and estimating background, excellent attention to detail, demonstrated leadership ability, and the ability to evaluate a project from both a technical and financial perspective. This individual must also be comfortable developing and maintaining professional relationships with owners, general contractors, architects, engineers, consultants, subcontractors, suppliers, and internal team members.

Key Responsibilities

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

1. Project Leads & Site Evaluation

• Pursue and evaluate project opportunities.
• Attend pre-bid meetings and site visits.
• Take photographs, field measurements, and detailed notes.
• Perform accurate quantity takeoffs.
• Identify access, logistics, phasing, safety, and other site conditions that may affect pricing.

2. Drawing & Specification Review

• Thoroughly review construction drawings, specifications, addenda, and other bid documents.
• Identify discrepancies, missing information, and potential scope conflicts.
• Develop relevant and accurate RFIs and submit them to the appropriate engineer, architect, general contractor, consultant, or owner's representative.

3. Estimate Preparation

• Prepare detailed and accurate estimates for labor, materials, equipment, subcontractors, and other project costs.
• Develop appropriate production rates and evaluate manpower and equipment requirements.
• Review estimates with management and clearly explain the reasoning, assumptions, and strategy behind the pricing.

4. Subcontractor Coordination

• Solicit and evaluate subcontractor proposals.
• Meet subcontractors on site when necessary to review project conditions and scope.
• Ensure subcontractor proposals are complete and accurately reflect the required scope.
• Compare proposals on an "apples-to-apples" basis and identify exclusions, qualifications, or potential gaps.

5. Supplier Coordination

• Work with manufacturers and suppliers to obtain competitive material and equipment pricing.
• Confirm that proposed products and materials meet project specifications and requirements.

6. Proposal Development & Bid Submission

• Prepare clear and detailed proposals, including scope of work, pricing, qualifications, exclusions, and alternates when appropriate.
• Ensure bids are submitted accurately, completely, and on time in accordance with all bid requirements.
• Follow up on outstanding bids and maintain communication with customers throughout the award process.

7. Project Turnover & Operations Support

• Upon award, provide a thorough turnover of the estimate, scope, assumptions, and project requirements to the production team.
• Remain available to assist Project Managers with estimating-related questions, change orders, and scope clarification throughout construction.
• Help ensure awarded projects are completed successfully and profitably.

8. Lead Estimating & Team Coordination

• Serve as a lead resource for the estimating team and help coordinate estimating priorities, workload, and bid deadlines.
• Review estimates and proposals prepared by other estimators for scope completeness, accuracy, production assumptions, pricing strategy, and overall quality before submission when appropriate.
• Mentor and support estimators in takeoffs, production rates, means and methods, proposal development, subcontractor and supplier coordination, and overall estimating best practices.
• Help establish, maintain, and improve estimating standards, templates, cost databases, production rates, historical pricing, and estimating procedures.
• Assist management in evaluating bid opportunities and prioritizing projects based on fit, available resources, customer relationships, backlog needs, risk, and profitability.
• Help develop bid strategy, including labor approach, project execution plan, competitive positioning, risk evaluation, qualifications, exclusions, alternates, and final pricing recommendations.
• Track estimating activity and bid results, including pending opportunities, awarded work, lost work, hit rate, and relevant feedback to help improve future estimating performance.
• Promote communication and collaboration between estimating, project management, field operations, and company leadership to support successful project execution and profitability.
• Participate in the training and development of new estimating personnel and help reinforce the SRS estimating process and expectations.
• Identify estimating process improvements and proactively recommend solutions that increase accuracy, efficiency, consistency, and accountability.

Qualifications & Core Competencies

Logical Thinking

Ability to visualize and "build the project in your head," understanding the sequence of work from mobilization through completion.

Problem Solving

Ability to identify potential problems, gather and analyze information, and develop practical and cost-effective solutions.

Blueprint & Specification Reading

Strong understanding of construction drawings, details, specifications, and other contract documents.

Estimating & Cost Analysis

Ability to develop accurate labor, material, equipment, and subcontractor costs while understanding production rates and project profitability.

Technical Writing

Ability to prepare thorough, accurate, and clearly written proposals, scopes of work, RFIs, qualifications, and project correspondence.

Customer Service & Communication

Ability to develop professional relationships with customers and respond promptly and professionally to their needs.

Organization & Attention to Detail

Ability to manage multiple estimates, deadlines, documents, and follow-up items without sacrificing accuracy.

Teamwork

Ability to work collaboratively with estimating, project management, field operations, accounting, subcontractors, and company leadership with the goal of achieving what is best for the company as a whole.

Leadership & Accountability

Ability to lead by example, provide constructive review and guidance, hold estimating work to a high standard, and help the estimating team consistently meet company expectations for accuracy, responsiveness, and profitability.

Preferred Experience

• Commercial construction estimating experience.
• Experience with concrete, masonry, waterproofing, coatings, or building restoration is strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of construction means and methods.
• Experience performing quantity takeoffs and developing labor and production rates.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and construction estimating technologies.
• Ability and willingness to visit active construction sites as required.
• Demonstrated experience leading, reviewing, or mentoring other estimators is strongly preferred.
• Experience managing multiple concurrent bid opportunities and coordinating estimating priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to use historical job cost and estimating data to improve pricing accuracy and production assumptions.

Our Expectations

• Honesty and integrity
• Dependability and accountability
• Strong work ethic
• Professionalism
• Loyalty and teamwork
• Thoroughness
• Attention to detail
• Initiative and problem-solving

Structural Restoration Services is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled and veterans.