Senior Estimator

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Position Title: Senior Estimator – Design Build Plumbing
Department: Preconstruction / Estimating
Reports To: Director of Preconstruction
Location: Regional (Southern California, Nevada, Arizona)

Position Summary

The Senior Estimator is responsible for preparing accurate and competitive cost estimates for commercial plumbing construction projects within a design-build environment. This role plays a key leadership function within the estimating department by supporting the development of project budgets, managing complex bid opportunities, and performing quality control reviews of estimates prepared by other estimators.

The Senior Estimator collaborates closely with project management, engineering, field operations, and executive leadership to ensure estimates are technically sound, competitively priced, and aligned with company profitability goals. This position requires strong technical knowledge of plumbing systems, construction practices, regional labor markets, and material procurement strategies across Southern California, Nevada, and Arizona.

Key Responsibilities

Estimating & Preconstruction

• Prepare detailed cost estimates for commercial plumbing systems including domestic water, sanitary waste and vent, storm drainage, natural gas, medical gas, and specialty piping systems.
• Develop conceptual budgets, schematic estimates, and final bid proposals for design-build and plan/spec projects.
• Perform quantity takeoffs from drawings, specifications, BIM models, and conceptual design documents.
• Solicit and analyze subcontractor and vendor quotations.
• Develop labor productivity assumptions based on historical performance and regional labor markets.
• Identify value engineering opportunities and cost-saving alternatives during preconstruction.
• Participate in design coordination meetings with engineers, architects, and general contractors.

Quality Control & Department Oversight

• Conduct detailed quality control reviews of estimates prepared by junior and mid-level estimators.
• Verify completeness of takeoffs, labor calculations, material quantities, and subcontractor scope coverage.
• Ensure estimates follow company estimating standards, templates, and pricing methodologies.
• Provide feedback, coaching, and technical guidance to estimators to improve accuracy and consistency.
• Assist in developing internal estimating procedures and best practices.

Bid Strategy & Risk Evaluation

• Analyze project drawings and specifications to identify potential risk factors, scope gaps, and constructability issues.
• Utilize proprietary estimating template, but be able to customize/adapt existing assemblies for non-template solutions.
• Conceptualize and layout water, waste, & roof drainage for takeoff on a, Shell and Spec TI design build budget.
• Participate in bid strategy meetings with leadership to determine pricing approach and risk mitigation.
• Prepare clarifications, exclusions, and proposal documentation.
• Support negotiation of design-build budgets and GMP proposals with clients and general contractors.

Cross-Department Collaboration

• Work closely with Project Managers and field leadership to ensure accurate labor forecasting and construction planning.
• Support project handoff meetings to transfer estimate knowledge to the operations team.
• Coordinate with purchasing and procurement teams to validate material pricing and vendor availability.

Data & Performance Improvement

• Maintain estimating databases including labor productivity, historical cost data, and material pricing.
• Assist in post-project cost reviews to improve future estimate accuracy.
• Contribute to department efficiency improvements and estimating workflow optimization.

Physical & Work Environment

• Primarily office-based with occasional jobsite visits.
• Ability to review plans, specifications, and technical documents for extended periods.

Performance Metrics (KPIs)

The Senior Estimator will be evaluated on performance using measurable key performance indicators that support the company’s profitability, estimating accuracy, and departmental efficiency.

Estimate Accuracy

• Estimated vs. Actual Project Cost Variance
  • Target: Within ±5-10% of final project cost on awarded projects. Improving with tenure.
• Labor Accuracy
  • Labor hours projected compared to actual installed hours.
  • Target: Within ±5-10% variance .
• Material Cost Accuracy
  • Material estimate compared to actual procurement cost.

Bid Success Rate

• Awarded Project Ratio
  • Percentage of bids won relative to total bids submitted.
  • Target varies by market conditions but generally 15–30% win rate depending on project type.
• Strategic Bid Participation
  • Participation in high-value or strategic projects that align with company growth goals.

Estimate Production

• Estimate Volume
  • Number of completed estimates per month or quarter based on project size.
• On-Time Estimate Delivery
  • Meeting internal bid deadlines and submission schedules.
  • Target: 100% on-time submission .

Estimate Quality Control

• QC Review Accuracy
  • Number of significant errors identified during Senior Estimator review before bid submission.
• Reduction of Post-Bid Scope Gaps
  • Tracking change orders attributable to estimating omissions.
  • Target: Continuous reduction of estimating-related scope gaps.

Departmental Support & Mentorship

• Estimator Development
  • Measurable improvement in accuracy and completeness of estimates prepared by junior estimators.
• Training Contribution
  • Participation in internal training, estimating standards development, and best practices implementation.

Value Engineering Contribution

• Cost Savings Identification
  • Value engineering options identified during preconstruction.
• Design Assist Effectiveness
  • Contribution to reducing project costs while maintaining design intent and system performance.

Collaboration & Project Handoff

• Successful Project Turnover
  • Completeness of estimate documentation and smooth transition to project management and field teams.
• Operations Feedback
  • Feedback from Project Managers and field leadership regarding estimate usability and accuracy.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience and may include:

• Base salary: 100 to 110K annually, depending upon qualifications
• Performance incentives tied to estimating accuracy and department performance
• Health, dental, and vision benefits
• Paid time off
• Professional development opportunities

Experience

• 5 to 7+ years of plumbing construction estimating experience.
• Minimum 5 years estimating commercial plumbing projects in a design-build environment preferred.
• Experience estimating projects across multiple Western states preferred (California, Nevada, Arizona) is a plus.

Technical Knowledge

Strong understanding of:

• Commercial plumbing systems and codes
• Design-build construction processes
• Construction drawings and specifications
• Labor productivity and installation methods
• Plumbing materials and equipment procurement
• Construction scheduling and sequencing

Software & Tools

Experience with estimating and construction software such as:

• Bluebeam (proficient)
• AutoCAD / Revit (preferred)
• Microsoft Excel
• Construction management platforms – Build Ops

Leadership & Professional Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent attention to detail and cost accuracy
• Ability to review and audit estimates for completeness and risk
• Strong communication and collaboration skills
• Ability to mentor and support other estimators
• Ability to manage multiple projects and bid deadlines simultaneously
• Ability to conduct detailed quality control reviews of estimates prepared by junior and mid-level estimators is a must.