Construction Estimator

At Blanchard, we treat every building we touch as if it were our own. Our core values are rooted in mutual respect, for our clients, for the homes and buildings we restore, and for the people we work alongside every day. Our mission is simple: to communicate so effectively throughout every phase of a project that the people we work for feel a genuine sense of security, comfort, and confidence doing business with us. That standard starts here, in this role. We are looking for a skilled and driven Estimator to join our growing team. This is a mid-level role, not entry-level, not senior, built for someone who has real field and office experience, knows how to read a project, and brings both technical precision and strong people skills to every interaction. You will be a key point of contact across preconstruction, vendor relationships, and project handoff. In this role, communication is everything. We expect you to ask questions, never assume, and keep all parties aligned from the first estimate through project launch. SCOPE OF WORK Exterior Restoration & Building Envelope Commercial Construction Projects Preconstruction & Project Launch Support KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Review plans, specifications, addenda, and bid documents thoroughly before developing any pricing. Perform accurate quantity takeoffs for exterior restoration, waterproofing, building envelopes, and related commercial scopes. Develop complete, competitive cost estimates including labor, materials, equipment, and subcontracted work. Identify scope gaps, conflicts, constructability concerns, and risk items prior to bidding. Flag them early, not after award. Manage and price 3–4 active projects simultaneously, maintaining accuracy and meeting bid deadlines across all. Preconstruction & Procurement Lead the vetting and launching of new projects, ensuring a clean, well‑documented transition from estimating to operations. Manage materials procurement and coordinate orders to align with project schedules and budgets. Process and track change orders accurately and in a timely manner, communicating impacts to all relevant parties. Support internal coordination with Project Managers and field leadership to ensure pricing reflects real-world installation methods. Communication & Client Interaction Serve as a primary point of contact for general contractors, clients, vendors, and subcontractors throughout the estimating and preconstruction process. Communicate scope, assumptions, and pricing clearly and confidently, in writing and in person. Attend job walks, pre-bid meetings, and scope reviews as needed. Ask questions. Always. Assumptions cost money and damage trust. Collaborate closely with Project Managers and field crews when scoping site access and execution methods, whether that means a lift truck, a swing stage, or something else entirely. The people doing the work have insight that makes every estimate better, and you will actively seek it out. Build and maintain positive working relationships that reflect RL James' values and reputation. Organization & Documentation Maintain organized estimate files, takeoffs, bid logs, change orders, and procurement records. Track revisions, addenda, and bid updates accurately throughout the project lifecycle. Follow internal estimating procedures and contribute to improving systems and templates over time. WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR 3–6 years of estimating experience in commercial construction or specialty contracting. Solid understanding of commercial construction practices, sequencing, and installation methods. Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, specifications, and scopes of work. Hands‑on experience vetting projects, launching jobs, managing materials procurement, and processing change orders. Excellent communication skills, written and verbal. You must be comfortable speaking with clients, engineers, GCs, and field teams with equal confidence. Strong people skills and a professional, service‑oriented mindset. You represent RL James every time you pick up the phone or walk into a meeting. Ability to manage multiple active estimates simultaneously without losing accuracy or missing deadlines. Detail‑focused, organized, and accountable. Someone who owns their work. Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, and standard estimating tools. GOOD TO HAVE Experience in waterproofing, sealants, or building envelope systems. Familiarity with exterior restoration or existing‑structure projects. Experience working for or with specialty contractors. Background in commercial construction is a plus. Florida or Southeast market experience. WHY JOIN US Be part of a growing company with an expanding portfolio of commercial and restoration projects. Play a central role in shaping how projects get priced, launched, and executed. Work alongside a collaborative team that values accuracy, accountability, and clear communication. Competitive compensation with room to grow as the company grows. SUCCESS IN THIS ROLE LOOKS LIKE Estimates are accurate, complete, and well‑documented. Every time. Projects launch with a clear scope, clean handoff, and no surprises for the field. Project Managers and operations teams trust your numbers and your process. Clients, GCs, and vendors enjoy working with you and come back because of it. You are seen as a reliable partner. Someone the team counts on, not just another desk in the office. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and value a diverse and inclusive workplace. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local law, including Florida law. #J-18808-Ljbffr