Senior Estimator: Lead Preconstruction & Fixed-Price Bids

Job Title: Senior Estimator Division: Fine Homes | Aviation | Commercial Pay Type/Employment Status: Salary/Full Time Salary Range: $85,000 - $125,000 Silver Maple (Silver Maple Construction, LLC) is seeking an experienced Senior Estimator to lead preconstruction and estimating efforts across our fine homes, aviation and commercial divisions. Silver Maple delivers projects on a fixed-price (lump-sum) basis, and the Senior Estimator serves as the lead estimating professional on complex projects, collaborating closely with clients, architects, engineers, and trade partners from conceptual budgeting through fixed-price proposal development and contract award. The ideal candidate brings demonstrated leadership in preconstruction services, expertise in value engineering and constructability reviews, and a track record of delivering accurate, well-supported fixed-price proposals on projects of significant scale and complexity. Strong analytical, communication, and presentation skills are essential, along with a strategic perspective to support business development and contribute to the long-term growth of our estimating department. The Job Estimating: Lead the preparation of detailed estimates for complex fixed-price (lump-sum) projects ranging from $5M to $50M+, including quantity takeoffs, conceptual budgets, schematic design estimates, design development estimates, and final fixed-price proposals. Develop complete, accurate, and well-supported estimates from program-level pricing through completed construction documents, and serve as the senior technical reviewer on assigned project estimates. Preconstruction Strategy: Drive preconstruction services for assigned projects, including value engineering, budget controls, alternative and comparative studies and constructability reviews. Generate and manage budget control reports between milestone estimates to track cost events and value engineering opportunities and prepare variance reports that clearly explain deltas between estimates to project stakeholders. Bidding + Proposal Development: Lead the assembly of competitive bids and fixed price (lump sum) proposals, including the development of detailed assumptions, qualifications, exclusions, and clarifications that clearly define scope and protect project margin. Establish bidders lists, solicit and evaluate trade partner proposals, lead scope leveling and post-bid reviews, and make award recommendations to project leadership. Client & Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as the lead estimating point of contact for assigned clients, architects, engineers, and consultants. Present estimates, value engineering options, and cost reconciliations to clients, owners, and senior leadership with clarity and confidence. Support business development efforts including proposal pricing, client meetings, and project pursuit strategy. Cost Database & Benchmarking: Partner in building and maintaining a historical cost database from past construction projects for use in estimating new work. Develop benchmark studies for internal review and estimate comparison, and continuously update unit pricing, productivity rates, and assembly costs based on current market feedback and completed project performance. Process & Document Management: Oversee document management for assigned projects, including drawings and specifications, file structure, and stakeholder distribution. Prepare scope requisitions, identify and eliminate scope gaps and overlaps, and develop comprehensive value analysis studies defining more cost-efficient alternatives to proposed scope. Who You Are You are a seasoned estimating professional who thrives on complexity and takes pride in the precision of your work. You see preconstruction as a strategic discipline, not just a deliverable, and you bring a builder’s mindset to every estimate you touch. You are comfortable owning a number in front of clients, owners, and senior leadership, and you back up your conclusions with disciplined analysis, sound assumptions, and clear documentation. You are organized under pressure, curious about emerging construction methods and market shifts, and motivated by the opportunity to shape how an estimating department operates rather than simply working within it. What Success in This Role Looks Like Your estimates land within target accuracy at each milestone, and variances between schematic, design development, and final fixed price proposals are minimal, well-explained, and actionable for the project team Clients, architects, and engineers seek you out early in design because they trust your judgment on constructability, market pricing, and value engineering Trade partners view Silver Maple as a top destination for their best bids because your scopes are clear, your processes are fair, and your post-bid reviews are thorough Projects you helped price come in at or under budget in the field, with scope gaps and overlaps caught in preconstruction rather than discovered during construction You contribute meaningfully to win rates on competitive pursuits and to the long-term improvement of Silver Maple’s cost database, estimating standards, and preconstruction processes Preferred Skills Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field with a minimum of 5 years of construction estimating experience, including demonstrated leadership on complex fine homes, aviation and commercial projects, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience Proven ability to lead estimating efforts from program/conceptual design through schematic design, design development, and completed construction documents, with the strategic judgment to advise clients and design teams early in the preconstruction cycle Expert proficiency preparing competitive bids and fixed price (lump sum) proposals, with the ability to develop detailed assumptions, qualifications, and exclusions that clearly define scope and protect project margin Deep working knowledge of building construction means and methods, materials, systems, market conditions, and trade practices across fine homes, aviation and commercial project types, including site work, concrete, structural systems, building envelope, interior finishes, and MEP systems Demonstrated experience leading value engineering and constructability reviews, with the ability to develop and present cost-saving alternatives without compromising scope or design intent Established subcontracting network with experience leading post-bid reviews, scope leveling, and award recommendations across multiple trades Strong presentation and communication skills, with the ability to deliver estimates, variance reports, and value engineering recommendations to clients, owners, and senior leadership Self-perform estimating exposure (selective demolition, concrete, carpentry, or similar trades) preferred Proficiency in industry-standard estimating software (e.g., Bluebeam) alongside Procore for project documentation and bid management, with the ability to evaluate and recommend new tools Established computer competency, including e-mail, shared calendars, and remote meeting applications (Teams, Google Meet, Zoom), and proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) Solid written grammar and proven clarity of communication skills, with the ability to produce clear and concise messages that explain variances and recommendations to a range of project stakeholders Employee Benefits Our benefits program is designed to make you feel valued in your role and to support all aspects of your well-being. The following benefits are highlights of Silver Maple’s Total Rewards package: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) Retirement Plan and Company Match, Accident Insurance, Life and Disability, 15 days of Combined Time-Off, 7 Paid Holidays, and more! Equal Opportunity Employer Silver Maple (Silver Maple Construction, LLC) is an equal opportunity employer; applicants are considered for all roles without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, marital, parental, veteran, or any status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. #J-18808-Ljbffr Silver Maple