Estimator

Job Description

Job Description

Benefits:

• Competitive salary
• Free uniforms
• Health insurance
• Opportunity for advancement
• Paid time off

Estimator Paul Davis Restoration of Downriver Detroit
Location: Downriver Detroit, Michigan
Position: Full-Time | In-Office with Local Field Work
Salary: $72,000–$82,000, based on experience + performance-based bonus

Position Summary

Paul Davis Restoration of Downriver Detroit is seeking an experienced Restoration Estimator to take ownership of our estimating process from initial scope through final approval.

This is not a traditional desk-estimator position.

Our Estimator is responsible for estimates across mitigation, reconstruction, contents, fire, water, mold, storm, roofing, and other property restoration losses. You will work from our Downriver office, collaborate closely with our field and operations teams, and perform onsite scopes and inspections when needed.

The goal is simple: once a job enters Estimating, you own it until it is approved and ready to move forward into production or invoice.

That includes writing the estimate, identifying and obtaining missing information, completing QA, meeting carrier and TPA requirements, communicating directly with adjusters and reviewers, handling revisions and supplements, defending legitimate scope and charges, obtaining approval, and providing a clean handoff back to Operations or Billing.

We are a growing company building the systems and team that will support significantly greater volume in the years ahead. We need someone who wants to help build an exceptional estimating operation, not simply inherit one.

What You'll Own

Estimating & Scoping

You will prepare accurate, complete, profitable, and defensible estimates for all types and levels of restoration work , including mitigation, reconstruction, water, fire and smoke, mold/remediation, contents, storm and wind, roofing, demolition, and related property damage.

Our field teams complete the initial scope and documentation for many routine mitigation losses. Your responsibility is to determine whether the information provided is sufficient to produce and defend the estimate.

Reconstruction and more complex losses will require greater involvement from the Estimator. You must be comfortable going onsite to independently scope reconstruction projects, inspect complex losses, verify conditions, take measurements, identify materials, obtain documentation, and provide experienced eyes when the situation requires it.

Our approach is practical: desk when possible, field when necessary.

Estimate Ownership From Start to Finish

Writing the estimate is only one part of this position.

You will own the estimating process through completion, including:

• Write estimates using Xactimate and Symbility with an emphasis on accuracy, completeness, speed, and profitability. 
• Create preliminary estimates when required and meet applicable carrier and program turnaround requirements. 
• Complete internal QA and applicable estimate validation processes. 
• Assemble and submit complete estimate packages with required supporting documentation. 
• Communicate directly with insurance adjusters, carrier representatives, TPAs, reviewers, and other interested parties. 
• Respond proactively to estimate reviews, questions, requested revisions, and documentation requests. 
• Negotiate and defend legitimate scope, line items, pricing, and charges when appropriate. 
• Recognize when a requested change is justified and when additional documentation or explanation should be provided instead. 
• Own supplements and change orders throughout the life of the project. 
• Follow estimates and supplements through final agreement and approval. 
• Maintain clear documentation of estimating activity and communication. 
• Provide Operations and Billing with a clean final handoff when the project is approved and ready to proceed or invoice. 

We do not measure success by simply getting an estimate approved. Estimates must accurately represent the work required or performed and meet or exceed company estimating margin goals.

Documentation & Field Collaboration

A strong estimating department begins with strong field documentation.

The Estimator will help establish and continuously improve documentation standards, checklists, and workflows so our field teams understand exactly what Estimating needs to produce complete, supportable estimates.

When information is missing, the Estimator owns getting the estimating file complete.

That may mean communicating directly with the appropriate technician, manager, or project team; requesting specific additional photos, measurements, documentation, or information; reviewing Docusketch data; or personally returning to the property when field verification is the most effective solution.

The goal is not constant back-and-forth. The goal is to build systems that allow our field and estimating teams to work together efficiently and improve over time.

Carrier, TPA & Program Compliance

As a Paul Davis franchise, we work with numerous regional and national insurance carrier partners and Third Party Administrators (TPAs). Each may have its own estimating guidelines, documentation requirements, Service Level Agreements (SLAs), workflows, and approval processes.

You are not expected to know every Paul Davis carrier program when you arrive. You are expected to learn them.

The Estimator will become fluent in the requirements of the programs we serve and will be responsible for ensuring estimates meet applicable standards and deadlines, including fast-turnaround preliminary estimates when required.

Program compliance is part of the job, but so is protecting legitimate scope and profitability. We need someone capable of working collaboratively and professionally with carrier partners while confidently supporting a complete, well-documented estimate.

Building for Growth

Paul Davis Restoration of Downriver Detroit is a growing company. We are building our team, systems, relationships, and production capacity, and we expect job volume to continue increasing.

This position is being built for where the company is going, not simply where it is today.

The Estimator will help develop the systems, documentation standards, workflows, technology, and estimating processes that allow increasing volume to move through Estimating efficiently without sacrificing accuracy, profitability, or service.

When volume temporarily exceeds reasonable internal capacity, we may utilize approved third-party estimating resources to maintain cycle times and service standards.

We want someone who sees an inefficient process and helps improve it, communicates clearly when something isn't working, and participates in building a better solution.

How We Work

Collaboration, clear communication, and teamwork matter here.

Estimating cannot operate as a silo. You will work closely with our mitigation team, reconstruction team, coordinators, management, accounting, carrier partners, and other members of the Paul Davis network.

We expect our team members to:

• Take Ownership: If something belongs to you, move it forward. Don't wait for someone else to manage it for you. 
• Communicate Clearly: Identify what is needed, who needs to provide it, and when it is needed. Surface problems early instead of allowing them to become surprises. 
• Collaborate: When something isn't working between departments, help solve the process instead of blaming the people involved. 
• Work as a Team: We have different responsibilities, but we're working toward the same outcome: complete excellent work, document it correctly, get it approved, invoice it, and get paid. 
• Continuously Improve: We're still building. Processes will evolve, responsibilities will grow, and better ideas are expected. We want people who help us improve as the company grows. 

Required Experience & Qualifications

This is an experienced restoration position. Previous property damage restoration experience is required.

Candidates must have:

• Demonstrated restoration estimating experience, with 3+ years preferred . 
• Strong working knowledge of both mitigation and reconstruction practices. 
• Demonstrated experience estimating multiple types of restoration losses, including water, fire/smoke, mold, contents, reconstruction, storm, and roofing. 
• High proficiency in Xactimate and Symbility.
• Experience communicating and negotiating directly with insurance adjusters, carrier representatives, TPAs, and estimate reviewers. 
• Experience handling supplements, revisions, change orders, and estimate approvals. 
• Ability to independently scope reconstruction and complex restoration losses onsite. 
• Strong understanding of restoration documentation and the ability to identify missing or inadequate documentation. 
• Strong computer and technology skills. 
• Valid driver's license and insurable driving record. 
• Ability to work full-time from our Downriver Detroit office and travel locally to job sites as needed. 

Experience with Docusketch is strongly preferred. Experience with Paul Davis, carrier programs, managed repair programs, RMS/Dash, Mitigate, or similar restoration management platforms is beneficial but can be taught.

Industry certifications, including applicable IICRC certifications, are preferred.

What We're Looking For

Technical estimating ability is the price of admission. How you operate matters just as much.

The right person is highly organized, proactive, accountable, and comfortable taking ownership without needing someone else to manage their workload.

You should be able to manage multiple estimates, deadlines, supplements, and approvals simultaneously while maintaining accuracy and follow-through. You should be persistent and professional with carriers and reviewers, confident defending a legitimate and well-supported estimate, and equally capable of recognizing when a correction is appropriate.

We want someone who works independently without operating independently of the team.

You should be comfortable working in a growing company where processes will continue to evolve and interested in helping build systems that make the entire organization more efficient.

Most importantly, we are looking for someone who communicates clearly, collaborates well with both field personnel and insurance professionals, follows through consistently, and takes responsibility for getting things across the finish line.

Physical & Field Requirements

This position combines office estimating with field inspections and scoping.

The Estimator must be able to safely navigate residential and commercial loss sites, including properties under active restoration or reconstruction; walk, stand, bend, crouch, and work in challenging positions as necessary; climb ladders and inspect accessible building areas when appropriate; navigate attics, crawlspaces, basements, and other areas necessary to evaluate a loss; and carry or use basic inspection, measuring, and documentation equipment.

Reasonable accommodations will be considered as required by applicable law.

Compensation & Benefits

Base Salary: $72,000–$82,000, based on experience

This position also includes a performance-based bonus opportunity tied to estimating performance and company objectives, including profitability, cycle time, quality, and compliance with applicable service standards.

Benefits include:

• Medical insurance 
• Paid time off 
• Paid training and professional development 
• Company-supported industry education and certifications 
• Opportunity for advancement as the company and Estimating department grow 

Why Paul Davis Restoration of Downriver Detroit?

We help homeowners and businesses recover after fires, floods, storms, mold, and other property losses. The work matters, but we're equally serious about building a company where talented people can do excellent work.

We're a growing operation, which means the person who joins us now has an opportunity to influence how this department operates for years to come.

We aren't looking for someone who simply wants estimates assigned to them.

We're looking for someone who wants to own Estimating, help build the system, work alongside the team, and help us become a better company as we grow.