Construction Estimator

Blueline Associates, Inc. - Pleasanton, CA

About Blueline Associates

Blueline Associates, Inc. is a premier commercial general contractor and construction management firm based in the East Bay. We specialize in high-end commercial tenant improvements, including office, laboratory, clean-room, medical, life sciences, and industrial facilities.

Our clients include some of Northern California’s most recognized companies, and we are known for precision estimating, collaborative delivery, and a culture that embraces innovation and technology.

The Role

Blueline is seeking an Estimator with a practical understanding of commercial construction and an interest in growing within a collaborative team. The right person understands how a tenant improvement jobsite operates, can read project documents and perform takeoffs, and has a working knowledge of basic trade scopes.

Candidates do not need to know every detail on day one. Blueline is willing to train someone who is coachable, comfortable with technology, and ready to learn our estimating process. This role is important to our ability to respond to opportunities, develop reliable budgets, and convert our sales pipeline into profitable projects.

What We Are Looking For

• A collaborative, team-first approach and the ability to work well with Project Management, field teams, leadership, and subcontractors
• Practical construction knowledge and a reasonable understanding of how commercial TI projects are built
• The ability to perform accurate quantity takeoffs and organize estimating information clearly
• A basic understanding of common trade scopes and the judgment to identify questions, gaps, and inconsistencies
• A coachable mindset and willingness to learn Blueline's estimating standards, processes, and expectations
• Comfort learning new software and using technology as part of the estimating workflow

Key Responsibilities

• Review drawings, specifications, addenda, and other project documents to understand the scope of work
• Perform quantity takeoffs for commercial tenant improvement projects
• Support the development of conceptual budgets, detailed estimates, and final bid proposals
• Organize estimates by trade and apply basic trade-scope knowledge to identify missing information or potential scope gaps
• Solicit pricing from subcontractors and vendors and help review, compare, and level proposals
• Work with Project Managers and leadership to develop RFIs, clarifications, assumptions, and exclusions
• Learn and use STACK and other Blueline systems to prepare takeoffs and estimates; prior STACK experience is helpful but not required
• Document estimate assumptions and prepare clear turnover information for Project Management after award
• Collaborate with Project Managers and field teams to incorporate lessons learned and actual project costs into future estimates
• Help maintain cost history, pricing information, templates, and estimating resources

Qualifications

Required

• Relevant experience in construction, estimating, project engineering, project coordination, field supervision, or a related role
• Practical understanding of commercial construction and how a tenant improvement jobsite operates
• Experience performing construction takeoffs
• Ability to read and interpret drawings, specifications, and other project documents
• Basic knowledge of common construction trades and scope boundaries
• Strong communication, organization, follow-through, and attention to detail
• Ability to work collaboratively, receive feedback, and learn new estimating methods and technology

Preferred Qualifications

• Exposure to office, laboratory, medical, life sciences, industrial, R&D, or retail construction
• Experience with STACK, Bluebeam Revu, Procore, Microsoft 365, or another takeoff or estimating platform
• Familiarity with Bay Area subcontractors, vendors, and construction pricing
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field
• Hands-on field construction experience

Compensation and Benefits

• Base salary: $115,000-$145,000, depending on experience
• Performance bonus: $5,000-$25,000 or more, based on project profitability
• Employee ownership: Blueline is 100% employee-owned, giving team members the opportunity to build equity as the company grows
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k), paid time off, and paid holidays
• Full-time, in-office position in Pleasanton, California

Why Blueline

• Direct access to leadership and decision-making within a small, collaborative team
• Strong pipeline of high-quality commercial TI projects
• Opportunity to develop broader estimating skills with support from experienced construction professionals
• Company investment in estimating technology and operational improvement
• Culture built on Leadership, Creativity, Execution, and Respect