Restoration Desk Estimator

Job Description

Job Description

Benefits:

• Bonus based on performance
• Competitive salary
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Training & development

Paul Davis Restoration of Central Mississippi is seeking an experienced Restoration Desk Estimator to join our Operations Team.

The Desk Estimator plays a critical role in moving restoration projects from initial inspection and scope through estimate approval and production. This position works primarily from the office using field documentation—including photographs, measurements, sketches, scopes, Matterport/DocuSketch, MICA documentation, and supporting reports—to prepare accurate, complete, and profitable restoration estimates.

The ideal candidate has strong restoration and construction knowledge, is highly proficient in Xactimate, understands insurance carrier requirements, and is comfortable communicating and negotiating with homeowners, adjusters, property managers, contractors, and other stakeholders.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced restoration estimator who wants to spend more time estimating, negotiating, and closing projects and less time driving from loss to loss.

Key Responsibilities

• Review field scopes, photographs, sketches, measurements, documentation, and supporting information for completeness and accuracy.
• Prepare detailed residential and commercial restoration estimates using Xactimate, Claims Workspace/Mobile Claims, and other industry software .
• Develop estimates for reconstruction, mitigation, contents, and other restoration services as applicable.
• Ensure estimates accurately reflect the documented scope of work and include appropriate labor, materials, equipment, subcontractor costs, permits, code requirements, overhead and profit, and other applicable costs.
• Identify missing or conflicting information and work directly with the Field Scope Specialist, Project Manager, or Operations Team to resolve questions quickly.
• Prepare and submit complete, well-supported estimates within established company turnaround requirements.
• Maintain compliance with carrier programs, estimating guidelines, service-level agreements, and company estimating standards.
• Communicate estimates, project scope, pricing, and expectations clearly and professionally to customers and other stakeholders.
• Present proposals and obtain customer authorization to proceed with restoration work.
• Communicate and negotiate directly with insurance adjusters, reviewers, and auditors regarding scope and pricing differences.
• Prepare supporting documentation, revisions, and supplements necessary to obtain fair and accurate compensation for the work being performed.
• Proactively follow up on outstanding estimates, approvals, authorizations, and supplements until resolved.
• Strive for first-pass estimate approval through accurate estimating and complete supporting documentation.
• Maintain accurate and timely notes, tasks, documentation, and estimate status within company systems.
• Complete required job handoff procedures before projects move into production.
• Partner with Project Managers to ensure the approved estimate and production scope are aligned before work begins.
• Identify estimating or scope issues that could negatively affect project gross profit before the project enters production.
• Meet or exceed established performance expectations for estimate turnaround time, close rate, sales volume, gross profit, estimate accuracy, and program compliance.

Customer & Sales Responsibilities

The Desk Estimator is responsible for converting qualified restoration opportunities into profitable projects. This is not a traditional business-development or cold-calling position .

Responsibilities include:

• Build trust with homeowners, property managers, adjusters, and other decision-makers.
• Explain the proposed scope of work and answer questions regarding estimates, restoration procedures, and project expectations.
• Recommend appropriate restoration services and materials based on the customer's needs and project requirements.
• Follow up consistently on outstanding proposals and opportunities.
• Address customer or adjuster objections professionally and work toward resolution.
• Obtain signed contracts, work authorizations, or other required approvals before production.
• Escalate unresolved estimating, sales, or customer issues promptly.

Collaboration & Job Handoff

• Participate in scope reviews, project kickoffs, or complex-loss discussions when necessary.
• Work closely with Field Scope Specialists and Operations personnel to ensure sufficient documentation is collected from the property.
• Communicate approved scope, exclusions, assumptions, allowances, and customer commitments clearly to the assigned Project Manager.
• Ensure required contracts, estimate documentation, selections, and supporting documents are complete before production handoff.
• Assist Project Managers with supplements or estimating questions discovered during production.
• Maintain clear accountability between field scope, estimating, approval, and production .

Qualifications

Required:

• 2+ years of restoration, construction, or property-loss estimating experience.
• Demonstrated experience writing estimates using Xactimate .
• Strong understanding of residential construction methods, materials, labor, and repair processes.
• Ability to read and interpret sketches, scopes, photographs, construction documents, and supporting reports.
• Understanding of insurance restoration estimating and claims processes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong negotiation and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple estimates, deadlines, revisions, and follow-ups simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with Operations and Production teams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ability to learn company-specific software.

Preferred:

• Experience with Symbility/Claims Workspace.
• Xactimate certification.
• IICRC certifications.
• Experience estimating water, fire, mold, storm, contents, and reconstruction losses.
• Experience working with insurance carrier programs and third-party administrators.
• Experience with both residential and commercial restoration projects.

What Success Looks Like

A successful Desk Estimator consistently:

• Produces accurate and complete estimates on time.
• Maintains strong estimate and program compliance.
• Achieves established first-pass approval and close-rate goals.
• Maintains required gross profit margins.
• Follows up consistently until estimates and supplements are resolved.
• Provides Production with a clear, accurate, and financially sound scope of work.
• Minimizes missed scope and preventable supplements through thorough estimating.
• Communicates professionally with customers, adjusters, and team members.
• Takes ownership of an estimate from receipt of the field scope through approval and production handoff.

Working Conditions

• Full-time position, generally 40+ hours per week.
• Position is primarily office-based with occasional job-site visits for complex losses, scope clarification, project kickoffs, or other situations when necessary.
• Some evening or weekend availability may be required during catastrophe events or periods of increased emergency restoration activity.
• Ability to safely visit active construction/restoration sites and use required personal protective equipment when necessary.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation: $60,000–$70,000 annually, plus performance-based bonus opportunities

Benefits include:

• Health and dental benefits.
• Flexible PTO and sick leave.
• Company-provided computer and necessary estimating technology.
• Structured training in the Paul Davis Way.
• Access to Paul Davis University and continuing education.
• Ongoing leadership development opportunities.

Pre-Employment Requirements

Employment offers are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check and 10-panel drug screening.

About Paul Davis

At Paul Davis Restoration of Central Mississippi, our mission is to provide professional residential and commercial emergency restoration services when our customers need us most.

We are looking for individuals who share our commitment to serving others, delivering exceptional results, and being the BEST in the communities we serve .

If you are an experienced restoration estimator who is detail-oriented, accountable, comfortable negotiating insurance estimates, and driven to turn opportunities into profitable projects, we would like to speak with you.

Paul Davis Restoration supports and hires Veterans and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Full Service Restoration Company providing Fire & Water Mitigation, Mold Remediation, Content Packout/Storage and Cleaning, Property Restoration and Property Improvement.

Company Description

Full Service Restoration Company providing Fire & Water Mitigation, Mold Remediation, Content Packout/Storage and Cleaning, Property Restoration and Property Improvement.