Construction Estimator

Job Summary

A well-established, family-owned mechanical contractor is seeking an experienced Construction Estimator to join its growing commercial construction team in the Westmont and Downers Grove, IL area. This is a direct hire opportunity with a respected organization that has more than 80 years of stability, strong employee tenure, and a solid reputation throughout the Chicagoland market.

This role is ideal for an estimator with subcontractor or trade-side experience in mechanical, plumbing, HVAC, or fire protection projects. The company is expanding its presence in high-demand sectors including data centers, healthcare, entertainment venues, and large-scale commercial projects.

Candidates can expect a collaborative team environment, supportive leadership, long-term career stability, and the opportunity to contribute to complex, high-profile construction projects. This is a strong fit for someone who takes pride in accurate estimating, detailed take-offs, and building competitive bids that help drive successful project outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

- Prepare detailed estimates for commercial mechanical, plumbing, HVAC, and fire protection construction projects.
- Review construction drawings, specifications, bid documents, and project scopes to identify requirements, exclusions, and risks.
- Perform detailed quantity take-offs and develop accurate labor, material, equipment, and project cost estimates.
- Obtain, review, and compare vendor and subcontractor pricing to support competitive bid preparation.
- Collaborate with project managers, vendors, subcontractors, and customers throughout the estimating and bidding process.
- Support value engineering, alternate solutions, and organized estimating documentation for current and future bids.

Compensation and Benefits

- Salary range: $80,000 to $140,000 per year, based on experience.
- Employment type: Full-time, direct hire.
- Location: Westmont and Downers Grove, IL area.

Required Qualifications and Skills

- Prepare competitive commercial construction estimates for mechanical, plumbing, HVAC, or fire protection projects.
- Perform detailed take-offs using construction plans, specifications, and bid documents.
- Develop labor, material, vendor, and subcontractor pricing for accurate project bids.
- Support the bidding process through scope review, documentation, risk identification, and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.

- 3 to 5 years of relevant construction estimating experience preferred.
- Experience estimating commercial construction projects.
- Strong preference for subcontractor or trade-side estimating experience.
- Experience with mechanical, plumbing, HVAC, or fire protection scopes.
- Strong understanding of construction plans, specifications, and bid documentation.
- Ability to perform detailed quantity take-offs and labor and material pricing.
- Strong mathematical, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to manage multiple bids, priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- High attention to detail, organization, accuracy, and follow-through.
- Strong communication skills for working with project managers, vendors, subcontractors, and customers.

Preferred Qualifications

- Prior estimating experience with a mechanical contractor, plumbing contractor, HVAC contractor, or fire protection contractor.
- Experience supporting bids for data centers, healthcare facilities, entertainment venues, or other large-scale commercial projects.
- Familiarity with value engineering, alternate pricing, and trade-specific estimating methodologies.
- Background working in the Chicagoland commercial construction market.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disabled / Protected Veterans

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For temporary assignments lasting 13 weeks or longer, AppleOne is pleased to offer major medical, dental, vision, 401k and any statutory sick pay where required.

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