Construction Estimator

Job Description

Job Description

Why Chinburg?

Founded by Eric Chinburg in 1987, Chinburg is a dynamic and growing company based in the Seacoast region of New Hampshire with projects and properties in NH, ME, and VT. Over four decades, the company has evolved from a small business into one of the most trusted names in quality development, building, renovation, construction management, and property management. Chin burg’s success is rooted in building strong relationships with customers, employees, and business partners alike.

Chinburg is known for its innovative development philosophy and commitment to incorporating best practices, including a strong focus on green building principles. Our expanding team includes professionals from diverse educational backgrounds. In recent years, we have welcomed top talent from respected institutions such as Northeastern University, Wentworth Institute of Technology, the University of New Hampshire, and MIT. On our team, we have experienced professionals from various industries and trade certifications. We have a strong focus on professional development.

At our core, Chinburg remains a family-founded business, and we continue to embrace new employees as part of our extended family. We value individuals who bring warmth and confidence, along with grit and determination, to our team.

Position Summary:

The Construction Estimator is a key member of the Commercial Construction team and is responsible for delivering accurate, well-documented cost projections throughout the preconstruction process. This role performs detailed quantity take-offs, applies accurate unit pricing, develops scopes of work, solicits and analyzes subcontractor bids, prepares comprehensive budget estimates, and provides value engineering input. The Estimator also manages bid records and supports the prequalification and expansion of Chinburg’s trade partner network.

Success in this role requires a high degree of accuracy, strong organizational and analytical skills, and the ability to synthesize technical information into clear, defensible cost data.

Key Responsibilities: 

Plan Reading & Analysis

• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of construction scopes of work by thoroughly reviewing plans and specifications, including civil, architectural, structural, MEP, and fire protection disciplines.
• Produce written plan reviews, design commentary, and constructability feedback during preconstruction.
• Utilize industry-standard software (e.g., Bluebeam) to perform detailed plan take-offs and extract key data such as areas, dimensions, quantities, and material lists for estimating and historical reference.

Cost Database Maintenance

• Maintain and enhance the Commercial Construction Actual Cost Database by exporting, organizing, and escalating historical cost data from Chinburg’s project management software.
• Track regional labor rate fluctuations and material cost trends to ensure accurate escalation of historical actual costs.
• Continuously improve estimating templates, tools, and workflows to increase efficiency and reduce the risk of manual error.

Conceptual & Preliminary Estimating

• Prepare high-level conceptual budgets using limited design information, leveraging comparable project data and cost-per-square-foot metrics.
• Develop detailed, line-item budget estimates based on schematic and design development plan sets by applying unit costs to quantity take-offs.
• Substantiate critical cost items with preliminary subcontractor pricing when appropriate.

Scope of Work Development & Bid Management

• Participate in scope development meetings and site walks to define, document, and clarify bid requirements.
• Produce clear, organized bid documents, including scope-specific plan markups and bid forms.
• Collaborate with the Preconstruction Project Manager (Precon PM) to distribute bid invitations and manage bidder communications.
• Assist with the RFI (Request for Information) process by documenting design team clarifications and distributing them to bidding subcontractors.
• Maintain an up-to-date commercial subcontractor database and actively recruit, vet, and prequalify new trade partners to ensure competitive bid coverage.

Bid Leveling & Analysis

• Prepare detailed bid comparisons to identify scope gaps, exclusions, overlaps, and inconsistencies.
• Analyze subcontractor pricing against internal expectations and historical cost data to identify anomalies or risks.
• Support scope review calls with subcontractors to confirm full alignment with bid requirements.

Project Management & Construction Support

• Support the Precon PM in progressing projects from conceptual estimating through contract execution.
• Assist with preconstruction schedules, client communications, and preparation of construction proposals and contract documentation.
• Compile project hand-off documentation and participate in preconstruction-to-construction transition meetings.
• Support Construction Project Managers with final subcontractor scopes of work (Exhibit A’s) and Schedules of Values derived from preconstruction documentation.
• Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned to support the Commercial Construction team.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management or related field
• AutoCAD and/or Bluebeam experience
• Exceptional Excel skills
• 3-5 years of commercial construction and estimating experience
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints to fully understand every phase of construction
• Ability to perform material take-offs and bid leveling
• Understanding of the CSI Construction Divisions
  

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. This job description does not represent an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills assigned to this position. This position description is not intended as and does not create a contract of employment between the company and any individual employee. The company reserves the right to change this position description at any time within its sole discretion.

Equal Opportunities:

Chinburg is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer that is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We take unbiased action to offer employment and advancement opportunities to all applicants, without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or ability status. Our methods for hiring include ensuring that all available opportunities are fairly promoted — via online globally available channels — in a manner accessible to all potential applicants.