Senior Estimator - Restoration / Existing Structures

Job Description

Job Description

RL JAMES FAMILY OF COMPANIES

SENIOR ESTIMATOR

Concrete & Structural Restoration · Building Envelope · Existing Structures

Company: RL James Location:  Bradenton, FL     Type:  Full-Time

Reports To:  VP of Sales & Estimating      Compensation:  $100,000 – $125,000 Base + Bonus

Relocation:  Open to out-of-state candidates - relocation assistance is available for the right person.

Please read before applying.  This is a concrete, structural, and building envelope restoration estimating role on existing, often occupied, structures. It is not property or disaster restoration - no water, fire, mold, or contents remediation, and no IICRC / Xactimate-type work. It is also not ground-up vertical construction. If your estimating background is in one of those areas without concrete/structural restoration exposure, this won’t be the right fit.

About the Role

At RL James we’re seeking an experienced Senior Estimator to lead estimating and preconstruction for concrete, structural, and building envelope restoration projects on existing structures throughout the region. This is a hands-on leadership role with full estimating ownership — not a support-only or back-office position, working directly with sales, operations, engineering firms, property managers, and condominium associations.

The right person understands the realities of restoration estimating evolving and unknown field conditions, engineering-driven scopes, phased sequencing, and occupied-building coordination. In Florida’s market, that increasingly means estimating repair scopes that come out of milestone inspections and structural reserve studies (SB 4-D and the reforms that followed) concrete, balcony, façade, and waterproofing restoration on aging condominium and commercial structures.

Scope of Work

• Concrete repair & structural restoration (spall repair, post-tension / rebar repair, shoring)
• Waterproofing & below-grade / deck coating systems
• Building envelope restoration (façade, sealant, expansion joints)
• Engineering-driven and investigation-driven restoration scopes

Key Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end estimating and preconstruction for restoration and existing-structure projects with minimal oversight.
• Review drawings, specifications, engineering reports, and investigative reports; perform detailed quantity take-offs (LF/SF concrete repair, unit-price and T&M scopes) .
• Prepare estimate spreadsheets, bid proposals, budgets, and detailed pricing models.
• Coordinate with manufacturer reps, vendors, and subcontractors to secure pricing, product recommendations, and value-engineering options.
• Participate in bid strategy, scope analysis, risk assessment, and project planning.
• Interact directly with restoration engineering firms, property management companies, consultants, and HOA / condominium associations.
• Assess project risk tied to occupied environments, unknown conditions, logistics, and phased sequencing.
• Support relationship development through networking, trade organizations, and industry events.
• Assist with project handoff and provide estimating support during execution as needed.

What We’re Looking For

• You’ve personally estimated concrete restoration, structural repair, waterproofing, or building envelope projects on existing structures, reading engineering and investigative reports, quantifying unknown-condition and unit-price scopes, and pricing phased work in occupied buildings.
• 7+ years of estimating experience in specialty contracting or commercial construction, with real restoration exposure (not property/disaster restoration).
• Ability to independently manage estimates and prioritize multiple opportunities at once.
• Strong collaboration across sales, operations, and field teams.
• Comfortable interfacing directly with engineers, consultants, property managers, and condo/HOA boards.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Willing to travel regularly within the region.

Strongly preferred:

• Concrete restoration estimating experience specifically.
• Florida or Southeast market experience, though strong restoration estimators relocating from other markets are encouraged to apply.
• Familiarity with Florida condo structural-safety work - milestone inspections, Structural Integrity Reserve Studies (SIRS), and 40/50-year recertification scopes (SB 4-D and later reforms).
• Experience estimating engineering-driven scopes with evolving or unknown field conditions.

Why Join Us

• Work on complex, high-profile restoration projects across Florida - an active, growing market driven by the state’s structural-safety requirements.
• Full estimating ownership and a direct line to leadership, not a seat in a back-office pool.
• Collaborative, team-oriented culture focused on quality, accountability, and professional growth.
• A key role protecting and restoring existing structures across the region.

Equal Opportunity Employer.  We value a diverse and inclusive workplace and consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local law, including Florida law. We are committed to a workplace free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. RL James does not sponsor employment‑based visas for this position unless stated otherwise.
E-Verify: We comply with Federal law by verifying employment eligibility.