Construction Estimator

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Estimator Job Description

The Estimator plays a key role in the pre-construction process by preparing accurate conceptual and detailed estimates, developing preliminary budgets, and supporting value engineering efforts across all divisions of work. This role collaborates closely with the pre-construction team, project managers, design professionals, and subcontractors to maintain budgets and schedules, support both negotiated and competitive bid opportunities, and ensure thorough evaluation of alternatives and comparative studies. The Estimator also supports the subcontractor and supplier bidding process, prepares comprehensive bid packages, and presents detailed estimates to internal stakeholders and prospective clients.

• Work with the pre-construction team to develop conceptual estimates, preliminary budgets, value engineering options, preconstruction schedules, and detailed take-offs and estimates.
• Define bid package scopes and manage the subcontractor and supplier bidding process from solicitation through evaluation and selection.
• Prepare and present detailed estimates of work, including evaluation of alternatives and comparative cost studies to support decision-making.
• Develop and maintain the cost and estimate database to ensure accurate and up-to-date pricing information.
• Collaborate with the project manager to develop preliminary construction schedules that align with project goals and client expectations.
• Assist with marketing efforts by supporting business development activities and helping to generate new project leads.
• Prepare preliminary and conceptual estimates ranging from square-foot estimates to detailed estimates by division, based on the level of information available.
• Participate in presentations to prospective clients by providing estimates and technical details of proposals.
• Coordinate pre-construction development with design professionals and subcontractors to maintain project budgets and schedules.
• Assist in preparation of owner contracts by providing estimating and scope information as needed.
• Solicit and secure bids from subcontractors and suppliers for negotiated projects, and develop strong working relationships with vendors and subcontractors.
• Assist in selecting projects to pursue for competitive bidding by reviewing opportunities and aligning them with company capabilities.
• Procure plans and manage plan deposits, ensuring all necessary documents are available for estimating and bidding.
• Solicit and secure bids from responsible subcontractors and suppliers for competitive bid projects.
• Coordinate preparation of bid forms and ensure all required submission documents and attachments are complete and accurate.
• Prepare quantity surveys and estimates for all divisions of work required by the contract documents, including detailed take-offs for self-performed work.
• Coordinate bid day activities, including arranging bid runners, assigning subcontractor posting duties, and highlighting key subcontractor scope items to aid bid evaluation.
• Review project details and risk assessments with internal stakeholders to assist in determining appropriate fees.
• Perform post-bid analysis and distribute results to bonding companies and internal stakeholders as required.
• Ensure plans are returned in a timely manner and retrieve plan deposits in accordance with bid requirements.
• Develop proficiency and actively use bid solicitation programs such as iSqFt and ConstructConnect.
• Develop proficiency and actively use estimating software such as On-Screen Takeoff (OST), Bluebeam, PlanSwift, Dropbox, Procore, and Excel.
• Assist project managers in organizing estimates for job cost input into the accounting system.
• Conduct preconstruction turnover meetings with project managers and superintendents to ensure a smooth handoff from estimating to project execution.
• Prepare estimates for major change orders on projects in progress to support pricing and negotiations.
• Maintain a log and archive of estimated projects to support historical analysis and future estimating efforts.
• Maintain the cost code system for all divisions of work to ensure consistent coding and reporting.
• Assist with collection and organization of cost data for use in future estimates, and develop and maintain cost information across all divisions of work as it becomes available.
• Assist with project schedule preparation by providing input based on quantities, sequencing, and subcontractor information.
• Support field operations by assisting with field conditions and addressing owner concerns related to scope and cost as needed.
• Maintain online takeoff and subcontractor database software, including updating subcontractor ratings and ensuring data accuracy.

• At least 7+ years of conceptual estimating experience within construction, preferably with a general contractor.
• Strong experience preparing conceptual estimates, including square-foot and detailed estimates across multiple divisions of work.
• Demonstrated experience with hard bid processes, including bid preparation, bid day coordination, and post-bid analysis.
• Proficiency in performing detailed quantity take-offs and working from plans and specifications.
• Experience with preconstruction activities, including preliminary budgets, value engineering, and preconstruction scheduling.
• Hands-on experience with estimating software tools (any estimating software), with the ability to learn and use platforms such as On-Screen Takeoff (OST), Bluebeam, PlanSwift, Dropbox, Procore, and Excel.
• Strong background in commercial construction and construction management practices.
• Proficiency with Excel for estimating, data analysis, and cost tracking.
• Good job tenure, demonstrating stability and commitment in previous roles.
• Ability to coordinate with project managers, design professionals, subcontractors, and suppliers to maintain budgets and schedules.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills with attention to detail in cost breakdowns and quantity surveys.
• Effective communication skills for presenting estimates and technical details to internal teams and prospective clients.

• Degree in Construction Management or a related field is preferred.
• Experience using bid solicitation programs such as iSqFt and ConstructConnect.
• Experience using online takeoff tools and maintaining subcontractor databases.
• Familiarity with cost code systems and maintaining cost information across all divisions of work.
• Experience assisting with owner contract preparation and understanding contract requirements.
• Ability to support marketing and business development efforts by contributing to proposals and client presentations.
• Experience working on both negotiated sales and competitive bid projects.
• Strong organizational skills to maintain logs, archives, and cost databases for estimated projects.

The Estimator works in a professional construction and pre-construction environment that emphasizes collaboration with project managers, superintendents, design professionals, subcontractors, and suppliers. The role relies heavily on technology, including bid solicitation platforms (such as iSqFt and ConstructConnect), estimating software (such as On-Screen Takeoff, Bluebeam, PlanSwift), project management tools (such as Procore and Dropbox), and Excel for cost analysis and reporting. Work typically involves reviewing plans and specifications, preparing estimates at various stages of design, and coordinating bid day activities in an office-based setting with regular interaction with external partners and internal stakeholders. The environment values accuracy, organization, and timely communication to support both negotiated and competitive bid projects throughout the pre-construction lifecycle.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Lenexa, KS.

The pay range for this position is $53.00 - $62.50/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Lenexa,KS.

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 16, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.