Junior Estimator

Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Northedge, LLC is a growing commercial drywall and metal framing company serving clients throughout North Carolina and Virginia. Our projects include healthcare facilities, higher education, mixed use developments, and other commercial construction projects.

We're looking for a Junior Estimator to join our team in Rural Hall, NC.

This position is ideal for someone with a strong foundation in commercial construction, the ability to read and understand construction drawings and details, and solid computer skills who is interested in developing a career in estimating.

Previous estimating experience is preferred but not required. We're willing to train the right person who has a strong technical foundation, attention to detail, and the ability to learn quickly.

As a Junior Estimator, you'll be responsible for managing smaller or less complex bids through the full estimating process while receiving guidance from experienced estimators on more challenging projects. As your skills develop, you'll have opportunities to take on larger and more complex projects.

What You'll Do

• Prepare accurate and competitive estimates for commercial drywall, metal framing, acoustical ceilings, and related scopes.
• Perform quantity takeoffs and develop labor, material, equipment, and subcontractor pricing.
• Review complete construction drawing sets, including architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and other disciplines, to identify scope requirements and coordination needs.
• Read and interpret construction details, specifications, addenda, schedules, and bid documents.
• Identify potential scope gaps, drawing conflicts, project risks, and constructability concerns.
• Prepare professional proposals with clear inclusions, exclusions, qualifications, and clarifications.
• Solicit and evaluate vendor and subcontractor pricing as needed.
• Participate in prebid meetings, site visits, scope reviews, and final bid reviews.
• Identify potential value engineering and cost saving opportunities.
• Manage assigned bids and deadlines while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
• Maintain historical pricing, labor information, and estimating data.
• Work closely with senior estimators, Project Managers, and field leadership to review project scope, labor assumptions, and constructability.
• Participate in project handoff meetings for awarded work, clearly communicating the estimate, scope, and assumptions.

What We're Looking For

• Ability to read and interpret complete construction drawing sets, including architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and other relevant disciplines.
• Ability to understand construction details and how different building systems interact.
• Strong computer skills and the ability to learn and navigate new software quickly.
• General understanding of commercial construction methods, materials, and terminology.
• Strong mathematical, analytical, and problem solving skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to identify discrepancies or missing information.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple bid deadlines and prioritize assignments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, take ownership of assigned work, and recognize when guidance is needed.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Ability to work full time in our Rural Hall, NC office.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel occasionally for site visits and prebid meetings.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous commercial construction estimating or quantity takeoff experience.
• Experience in commercial drywall, metal framing, acoustical ceilings, or related construction trades.
• Experience with The Estimating Edge or similar estimating software.
• Experience working for a commercial general contractor or specialty subcontractor.
• Field construction experience involving blueprint reading, construction details, and trade coordination.
• Associate's or bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architectural Technology, or a related field.

Equivalent hands on construction experience will be considered in place of formal education or previous estimating experience.

What We're Looking for Beyond Experience

At Northedge, estimating is more than completing a takeoff. It requires understanding how a project comes together, recognizing potential scope gaps, asking the right questions, and preparing accurate estimates that set our Project Management and field teams up for success.

We're looking for someone who is detail oriented, analytical, organized, and accountable. Someone who can look at a complete set of construction drawings, understand how the different trades interact, and recognize when something doesn't make sense.

The right person takes initiative, enjoys solving problems, welcomes feedback, and is motivated to continuously improve.

You don't need to know our estimating software or internal processes on day one. What matters most is having a strong construction foundation, solid technical skills, and the willingness to learn.

Growth Opportunity

This position offers the opportunity to develop into a fully independent commercial estimator. As you gain experience and demonstrate the ability to manage estimates accurately and independently, you'll have opportunities to take on larger and more complex projects and advance within our estimating team.

Ready to Build With Us?

If you have a strong understanding of construction drawings, solid computer skills, and an interest in building a career in commercial estimating, we'd like to hear from you.