Civil/Utility Estimator

Job Description

Job Description

Civil / Utility Estimator

Company: SG Development & Consulting, Inc.
Location: Woodbine, Georgia
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary Range: $80,000–$120,000 annually , depending on experience and qualifications
Reports To: Director of Pre-Construction / Executive Leadership

Position Summary

SG Development & Consulting, Inc. is seeking an experienced Civil / Utility Estimator to support our growing portfolio of federal, public-sector, and commercial construction projects throughout Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, and the surrounding Southeast.

The Civil / Utility Estimator will be responsible for preparing accurate and competitive estimates for heavy civil, underground utility, sitework, and infrastructure projects , from initial solicitation review through final bid submission and project turnover.

The ideal candidate has strong field and estimating knowledge of underground utilities and civil construction, understands production-based estimating, and can accurately evaluate labor, equipment, materials, subcontractor scopes, project logistics, and risk.

Experience with federal and government construction projects is strongly preferred.

Key Responsibilities

Estimating & Pre-Construction

• Prepare detailed estimates for civil, underground utility, infrastructure, and site development projects.
• Perform quantity takeoffs from construction drawings, specifications, addenda, and other bid documents.
• Develop labor, material, equipment, subcontractor, and production cost estimates.
• Analyze anticipated production rates, crew compositions, equipment requirements, and project durations.
• Develop and maintain estimate worksheets, bid summaries, scope sheets, and supporting documentation.
• Solicit and evaluate pricing from subcontractors, vendors, and material suppliers.
• Review subcontractor and supplier proposals for scope completeness, exclusions, qualifications, and potential gaps.
• Level subcontractor and vendor quotes to ensure accurate comparison and complete scope coverage.
• Identify opportunities for value engineering, alternate construction methods, and cost efficiencies.
• Participate in bid reviews and provide clear explanations of pricing assumptions, risks, exclusions, and opportunities.
• Assist in establishing project budgets following award.

Civil & Utility Scope

Estimator responsibilities may include estimating work involving:

• Domestic water systems
• Sanitary sewer systems
• Storm drainage systems
• Force mains and lift station-related work
• Fire water and fire protection underground utilities
• Underground piping systems
• Excavation and trenching
• Dewatering
• Shoring and trench protection
• Clearing and grubbing
• Demolition
• Earthwork and grading
• Import/export and disposal of soils
• Aggregate base
• Concrete
• Asphalt paving
• Curb and gutter
• Sidewalks and site improvements
• Erosion and sediment control
• Utility structures, manholes, vaults, and related infrastructure
• Site restoration
• Other heavy civil and underground utility scopes

Solicitation & Contract Review

• Review Invitations for Bid, Requests for Proposal, specifications, drawings, amendments, and solicitation requirements.
• Identify bid requirements, bonding requirements, insurance requirements, subcontracting requirements, and proposal deadlines.
• Review project-specific conditions that may impact pricing, including site access, phasing, working hours, security requirements, mobilization restrictions, laydown areas, and environmental conditions.
• Identify scope conflicts, missing information, and constructability concerns requiring RFIs or clarification.
• Assist with evaluation of contract risk and unusual project requirements before bid submission.
• Maintain awareness of applicable prevailing wage and Davis-Bacon requirements when preparing labor estimates.

Federal & Public-Sector Projects

SG performs work on military installations and other government facilities. The Estimator will be expected to:

• Review federal and public-sector solicitations for estimating and pricing requirements.
• Understand or develop familiarity with Davis-Bacon wage determinations, FAR requirements, certified payroll considerations, and government contracting requirements applicable to estimating.
• Participate in pre-bid meetings and site visits.
• Conduct site walks at military installations and other secured facilities.
• Coordinate with operations regarding logistics, security restrictions, badging requirements, access limitations, and project-specific working conditions.
• Incorporate government and military installation requirements into project pricing and execution assumptions.

Site Visits & Field Coordination

This is not exclusively a desk-based estimating position.

The Civil / Utility Estimator must be willing and able to:

• Travel to prospective and active project locations throughout SG’s operating territory.
• Attend pre-bid conferences and site walks.
• Access active construction sites and military installations.
• Evaluate existing field conditions affecting project cost and constructability.
• Collaborate with Superintendents, Project Managers, Foremen, and field personnel when developing production assumptions.
• Use lessons learned from active and completed projects to improve future estimates.

Bid-to-Build Turnover

Upon award, the Estimator will participate in a detailed turnover to the operations team, including:

• Estimate assumptions
• Labor and equipment projections
• Production rates
• Material pricing
• Subcontractor and vendor quotes
• Scope inclusions and exclusions
• Identified risks
• Bid clarifications
• Project-specific requirements
• Procurement concerns
• Potential change-order opportunities or scope ambiguities

The Estimator will remain available after turnover to assist Operations with estimate-related questions and clarification as reasonably required.

Qualifications

Required

• 5+ years of construction estimating and/or relevant heavy civil/underground utility construction experience.
• Strong understanding of civil construction and underground utility installation.
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, specifications, geotechnical information, and contract documents.
• Demonstrated ability to perform accurate quantity takeoffs.
• Strong understanding of labor productivity, crew composition, equipment utilization, and construction sequencing.
• Ability to develop detailed cost estimates and defend estimating assumptions.
• Strong mathematical, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple bids and deadlines simultaneously.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel to project locations.

Preferred

• Experience estimating federal, military, municipal, or other public-sector construction projects.
• Experience with projects performed for NAVFAC, USACE, Department of Defense, or other government agencies.
• Knowledge of Davis-Bacon wage requirements and federal contracting practices.
• Experience with estimating software and electronic takeoff platforms.
• Experience with Procore or comparable construction-management software.
• Field experience in heavy civil or underground utility construction.
• Experience estimating projects ranging approximately from $3 million to $10 million+ .

Security & Site Access Requirements

Because SG performs work at military installations and other secured government facilities, this position requires the ability to successfully complete applicable background investigations, security screening, badging, and installation-access requirements .

The employee must be able to provide required identification and supporting documentation necessary to obtain and maintain access to SG project locations.

Travel to and participation in site walks at military installations and secured facilities are essential functions of this position.

Continued inability to obtain or maintain required project-site access may affect the employee's ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Successful candidates should demonstrate:

• Strong construction judgment and practical understanding of how work is performed in the field.
• Ability to identify scope gaps and potential cost exposure before bid submission.
• Attention to detail without losing sight of overall project strategy.
• Ability to prioritize and execute under firm bid deadlines.
• Strong accountability for estimate accuracy and completeness.
• Ability to communicate effectively with field personnel, management, subcontractors, suppliers, owners, and general contractors.
• Willingness to collaborate across Pre-Construction and Operations rather than working in isolation.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding SG pricing, estimating methods, vendor information, project financial information, and proprietary business information.

Compensation

Base Salary: $80,000–$120,000 annually

Final compensation will be based upon factors including:

• Years and depth of estimating experience
• Heavy civil and underground utility experience
• Federal/public-sector estimating experience
• Field construction experience
• Demonstrated ability to independently estimate projects
• Size and complexity of projects previously estimated
• Software and technical proficiency
• Overall qualifications and experience

Benefits and other employment terms are provided in accordance with SG Development & Consulting, Inc. policies and applicable plan documents.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

This position involves a combination of office and field activities. The employee must be able to visit active construction sites, navigate uneven terrain, work around construction equipment and operations, and perform site walks in varying weather conditions.

Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals in accordance with applicable law.

Equal Employment Opportunity

SG Development & Consulting, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants without regard to protected characteristics under applicable federal, state, and local law.

SG Development & Consulting Inc. was established in 2020 by Scott Silvia and Travis Garland, two accomplished entrepreneurs and 24-year veterans of the United States Navy. Having served together on multiple tours of duty, Scott and Travis forged a strong personal and professional bond built on trust, discipline, and shared leadership.

During and after retiring from active duty, both Scott and Travis made successful transitions to civilian life by individually owning and operating other businesses. These ventures equipped them with invaluable experience in leadership, operations, and client service—skills that laid the groundwork for their next ambitious endeavor: SG Development & Consulting Inc.

Driven by a shared vision and a commitment to excellence, they founded what has quickly become one of the fastest-growing construction companies in the region. Their military-honed values—integrity, accountability, and precision—form the foundation of the company’s culture and operations.

Today, SG Development & Consulting Inc. stands out for its mission-focused approach, reliable execution, and deep industry expertise, delivering high-quality construction solutions to clients across a range of sectors.

Company Description

SG Development & Consulting Inc. was established in 2020 by Scott Silvia and Travis Garland, two accomplished entrepreneurs and 24-year veterans of the United States Navy. Having served together on multiple tours of duty, Scott and Travis forged a strong personal and professional bond built on trust, discipline, and shared leadership.\r\rDuring and after retiring from active duty, both Scott and Travis made successful transitions to civilian life by individually owning and operating other businesses. These ventures equipped them with invaluable experience in leadership, operations, and client service—skills that laid the groundwork for their next ambitious endeavor: SG Development & Consulting Inc.\r\rDriven by a shared vision and a commitment to excellence, they founded what has quickly become one of the fastest-growing construction companies in the region. Their military-honed values—integrity, accountability, and precision—form the foundation of the company’s culture and operations.\r\rToday, SG Development & Consulting Inc. stands out for its mission-focused approach, reliable execution, and deep industry expertise, delivering high-quality construction solutions to clients across a range of sectors.