Assistant Estimator

Overview

About Suffolk

Suffolk is a national enterprise that builds, innovates and invests. Suffolk is an end-to-end business that provides value throughout the entire project lifecycle by leveraging its core construction management services with vertical service lines that include real estate capital investment, design, self-perform construction services, technology start-up investment (Suffolk Technologies) and innovation research/development.

Suffolk – America’s Contractor – is a national company with more than $5.0 billion in annual revenue, 2,600 employees, and main offices in Boston (headquarters), New York City, Miami, West Palm Beach, Tampa, Estero, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego. Suffolk manages some of the most complex, sophisticated projects in the country, serving clients in every major industry sector, including healthcare, life sciences, education, gaming, transportation/aviation, government, mission critical and commercial. Suffolk is privately held and is led by founder, chairman and CEO John Fish. Suffolk is ranked #8 on ENR’s list of “Top CM-at-Risk Contractors.” For more information, visit  and follow Suffolk on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.

At Suffolk, we believe that our total rewards program should offer you and your family the support you need when it matters most. That’s why we have created a program that provides employees with access to a wide variety of options that can be personalized to support you and your loved ones physically, emotionally, and financially.

Benefits include, competitive salaries, auto allowances and gas cards for certain roles, access to market leading medical and emotional and mental health benefits, dental, and vision insurance plans, virtual care options for physical therapy and primary care, generous paid time off, 401k plan with employer match and access to expert financial resources, company paid and voluntary life insurance, tax deferred savings accounts, 10 backup daycare days each year, short- and long-term disability, commuter benefits and more. For more information, click here.

The Role

Suffolk is seeking people who are bold. Curious. Innovative. Caring. Looking for the career opportunity of a lifetime. We’ll challenge and inspire you to be your very best. We’ll embrace what makes you unique and lift you up as you take chances. Here, you’ll find a place where you can act with purpose and integrity, bringing intelligence and grit to every aspect of your job. Join us for the chance to leverage your inherent curiosity and proven capabilities to catapult you to the next level.

The Assistant Estimator is responsible for the coordination of all project budgeting, including preparing quantity surveys, obtaining subcontractor pricing, reviewing historical cost data and ensuring compliance with scope of work, as well as offering construction feasibility and value engineering counsel. The Estimator must stay abreast of industry materials and labor pricing trends and developments to deliver accurate and timely estimates for preconstruction, hard bids, negotiated bids, value engineering, general conditions and systems studies and comparisons. The Estimator also provides administrative support to the Chief Estimator, engages in consistent communications with trade partners, maintains up-to-date records of bids, and manages the prequalification process for the hiring of trade partners.

Responsibilities

• Unit Cost Pricing:
  • Clearly understand the complexity of the scope of work as shown on the construction documents
  • Prepare detailed take offs of materials
  • Prepare detailed labor estimates utilizing man-hours, crews and equipment
  • Organize the material and labor information for pricing
  • Solicit material prices from suppliers
  • Obtain current labor rates
  • Prepare unit prices by "Building the Project in your Head."
  • Verify and compare your unit prices or the price of a system with a subcontractor and previous similar estimates
  • Understand the influence of market conditions on pricing

• Subcontractor Solicitation & Selection:
  • Prepare subcontractor list from S4 program, or manually
  • Prepare Bid Invitations
  • Prepare subcontractor bid packages including transmittals, drawings and specifications
  • Follow up with subs regarding bidding and update the subcontractor list
  • Prepare scope sheets for subcontractors, and review scope of work

• Subcontractor Relationships & Feedback:
  • Keep Subcontractors up to date with project information and addenda during the bidding process
  • Answer subcontractor questions
  • Prepare RFI's to the design team

• Preconstruction Abilities:
  • Assist the Senior Estimator with quantity take offs and subcontractor solicitation
  • Prepare document lists and correspondence during pre-construction

• Conceptual Estimating:
  • Assist the Senior Estimator by preparing take off quantities of areas and counts of items

• Hard Bid and Design Build Estimating:
  • Procure drawings and specifications from architect or owner
  • Date stamp all drawings and spec books
  • Confirm SCCI is listed in all publications
  • Confirm with architect/owner that all construction documents have been received and send documents to printer
  • Put construction documents in plan room
  • Create bid binder or bid box. Take off of items to be priced by SCCI. We should attempt to do a complete Control Estimate
  • Attend site visits
  • Read all assigned plans and specs completely
  • Call to confirm local building permit rates
  • Call the architect the day before the bid and confirm all addenda and supplemental information has been received
  • Assist in the creation of bid packages for the subs

• Turn Over Meetings:
  • Assist the Senior Estimator in compiling the Turn Over Meeting package
  • Attend the Turn Over Meeting

• Exhibit B's & Scope Sheets:
  • Assist the Senior Estimator with Exhibit B and scope sheet preparation

• Quality Control of Departments Bids and Estimates:
  • Prepare thorough scope of work spreadsheets. Always try to prepare a thorough control estimate for every trade you are responsible for. Meet deadlines and allow time for review of your work with the Senior or Chief Estimator

• Bid Day Activities:
  • Develop a "Plug" number for your trade using the most up to date information available the night before the bid
  • Complete the scope of work/pricing spread sheets ASAP
  • Follow up with subcontractors for any missing information
  • Review all pricing and subcontractor information with the Senior and Chief Estimator

• Post Bid Activities:
  • Attend any review meetings with the Senior or Lead Estimator. If called to the table or awarded the bid, review the estimate and discuss strategy with the team for any holes, value management, or potential profit pockets

• Attend weekly staff meetings and report on status of assignments
• Attend Training classes as required

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture or related field.
• 1-3 years of experience in Estimating, or equivalent
• Quantity Surveys, Take off skills, Computer skills
• Working knowledge of Excel spread sheets, and Word processing programs.
• Ability to take off material quantities from a set of SD, DD & CD documents and present information that is organized, thought out and easy to follow
• Understanding of Construction Documents
• Knowledge of the contents of each CSI section
• Ability to read & interpret blue prints in order to understand the scope of work at SD, DD and CD phases of design
• Ability to coordinate construction document plans, details and specifications
• Candidate must possess Suffolk’s Core Values: Passion, Integrity, Hard Work, Professionalism, and Caring

Working Conditions

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods of time; talk or hear; perform fine motor, hand and finger skills in the use of a keyboard, telephone, or writing. The employee is frequently required to stands; walk; and reach with arms and/or hands. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. The employee will spend their time in an office environment with a quiet to moderate noise level. Job site walking.

EEO Statement

Suffolk provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, national origin, citizenship, genetic information, disability, protected veteran, gender identity, age or any other status protected by law. This policy applies to recruiting, hiring, transfers, promotions, terminations, compensation, benefits, and all other terms and conditions of employment. Suffolk will not tolerate any unlawful discrimination toward, or harassment of, applicants or employees by anyone at Suffolk, or anyone working on behalf of Suffolk. 

Compensation Information

The expected salary range for this position (Assistant Estimator) in US-MA-Boston is between $77,000 and $106,000 USD. This represents the typical salary range for this position and is just one component of Suffolk’s total compensation package. Actual salaries may be based on several factors including, but not limited to, skill set, experience, education and other qualifications. Suffolk offers a comprehensive benefits package as part of its overall compensation strategy. Salary ranges may differ by geography and are reviewed regularly to reflect market trends.