Commercial Estimator

Position Summary

The Commercial Estimator is responsible for producing accurate, defensible, and competitive cost estimates and bids across CaseCo Commercial's general contracting, design-build, and facilities management work. This role sits at the intersection of preconstruction, client relationships, and subcontractor management — translating plans, specifications, and scope into a winning, profitable estimate, and translating relationships into pipeline. The Commercial Estimator works closely with the VP Commercial & Federal, Pre-Construction Manager, and Commercial Project Managers to ensure estimates are accurate at handoff and that the relationships built during the bid process carry forward into the project.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Estimating & Preconstruction

Prepare complete, detailed cost estimates for ground-up construction, additions, remodels, interior build-outs, and historic restoration projects.

Perform quantity takeoffs from plans and specifications; verify scope completeness against drawings, addenda, and RFIs.

Solicit, level, and qualify subcontractor and vendor bids; identify scope gaps and qualification discrepancies before submission.

Build and maintain unit cost, labor, and material pricing databases reflective of current market conditions.

Assist the Pre-Construction Manager in budget development, value engineering, and constructability reviews.

Capture maximum defensible value in every estimate — pricing the full, supportable scope without inflating or under-stating risk.

Prepare bid packages, proposal narratives, and qualification/exclusion language for client submission.

Client & Subcontractor Relationships

Serve as a primary point of contact for clients, architects, owners, and developers during the preconstruction and bid phase.

Build and maintain a qualified subcontractor and supplier base across all major trades; manage prequalification, scope coverage, and bid-day responsiveness.

Represent CaseCo Commercial professionally in pre-bid meetings, site walks, and client presentations.

Maintain ongoing communication with subcontractors and suppliers between bids to preserve relationship strength and pricing competitiveness.

Support smooth handoff from estimating to the Commercial Project Manager, including a clear scope, budget, and subcontractor summary.

Business Development

Identify and pursue new bid opportunities through existing relationships with architects, owners, developers, and industry contacts.

Track bid opportunities, win rates, and pipeline in coordination with the VP Commercial & Federal.

Represent CaseCo at industry networking events, association meetings, and client functions.

Support proposal and capability presentation development for prospective clients.

Cultivate long-term relationships that generate repeat and referral business for CaseCo Commercial.

Collaboration & Reporting

Coordinate with Commercial Superintendents and Project Managers to ensure estimate assumptions match field execution.

Provide regular pipeline, bid, and win/loss reporting to the VP Commercial & Federal.

Participate in scoreboard and operating rhythm meetings as required.

Core Competencies

Accuracy & Attention to Detail — gets the numbers right; understands that a missed line item is a margin problem six months later.

Relationship Builder — earns trust with clients and subs through transparency, responsiveness, and follow-through.

Ownership — treats every bid as if their name and CaseCo's reputation are on it.

Collaboration — works fluidly across estimating, operations, and business development rather than in a silo.

Growth Mindset — proactively pursues new relationships and opportunities rather than waiting for leads to arrive.

Physical & Work Environment

Primarily office-based with regular travel to job sites, client meetings, and bid walks.

Ability to navigate active construction sites, including uneven terrain and varying weather conditions.

Valid driver's license and reliable transportation required.

Qualifications

Required

3+ years of commercial construction estimating experience (general contracting, design-build, or related).

Working knowledge of commercial construction means, methods, and sequencing.

Proficiency with estimating and takeoff software, and project management platforms (e.g., Procore).

Strong working knowledge of construction contracts, scope qualification, and subcontractor agreements.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills; comfortable presenting to clients and ownership.

Demonstrated relationship-building skills with subcontractors, suppliers, and client representatives.

Preferred

Experience across office, retail, healthcare, industrial, or historic restoration project types.

Prior business development or client-facing sales experience in construction or a related field.

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field, or equivalent field experience.

Benefits include:

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k) match up to 4%
• Life insurance
• Flexible PTO