Construction Estimator

Job Description

Job Description

The Estimator is responsible for producing complete, accurate, and well-documented estimates while identifying scope gaps, pricing risks, subcontractor coverage concerns, and assumptions before bid submission and before project handoff. This position supports negotiated, invited, and competitive bid opportunities through plan review, quantity takeoff, subcontractor/vendor solicitation, bid leveling, proposal preparation, preconstruction support, and formal handoff to operations upon award.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Bid Intake, Planning, and Document Review

·    Review plans, specifications, addenda, geotechnical reports, alternates, allowances, unit prices, bid forms, schedules, site conditions, and contract requirements to identify scope, risks, gaps, and pricing requirements.

·    Attend pre-bid meetings, site visits, construction meetings, client meetings, and subcontractor/vendor meetings as needed.

·    Maintain bid calendar, internal deadlines, bid due dates, addendum deadlines, and proposal submission requirements.

·    Review project documents early enough to communicate missing information, unclear scope, or schedule concerns before bid deadlines.

Quantity Takeoff, Budgeting, and Estimating

·    Perform detailed quantity takeoffs and organize estimate information by CSI division, trade, cost code, or company-approved estimating format.

·    Prepare conceptual, schematic, design-development, and final construction estimates by identifying scope, quantities, labor, materials, equipment, subcontractor costs, general conditions, overhead, profit, contingencies, and other project-specific costs.

·    Prepare construction budgets, bid summaries, alternates, allowances, unit prices, value-engineering options, and cost comparisons as required.

·    Use historical cost data, market pricing, vendor input, subcontractor feedback, and project-specific conditions to support estimate accuracy.

Subcontractor and Vendor Solicitation

·    Prepare bid packages and invitations to bid for subcontractors and vendors, including drawings, specifications, addenda, scope notes, bid forms, due dates, and submission instructions.

·    Solicit subcontractor and vendor pricing, track bid coverage, follow up before bid day, review scope completeness, level bids, identify exclusions, and prepare recommendations for subcontractor/vendor selection.

·    Develop and maintain positive working relationships with clients, architects, engineers, subcontractors, vendors, and internal team members.

·    Maintain subcontractor/vendor contact information, bid history, trade coverage notes, and feedback regarding reliability, responsiveness, and scope completeness.

Clarifications, RFIs, and Risk Identification

·    Prepare and track pre-bid RFIs, clarifications, substitutions, and addendum responses; communicate pricing impacts to the estimating team and company leadership.

·    Identify scope gaps, constructability concerns, unclear design information, missing details, long-lead items, unusual contract requirements, schedule risks, and pricing assumptions before bid submission.

·    Document exclusions, assumptions, qualifications, alternates, allowances, and areas requiring owner, architect, engineer, or subcontractor clarification.

·    Communicate potential budget, scope, schedule, and constructability issues in a timely and professional manner.

Bid Review, Proposal Preparation, and Submission

·    Prepare internal bid review packages including estimate summary, subcontractor bid tabs, major assumptions, exclusions, allowances, alternates, value-engineering options, schedule considerations, and identified risks.

·    Participate in internal bid review meetings with company leadership and operations staff before final pricing decisions are made.

·    Prepare and deliver final bid packages, proposals, budgets, and supporting documents for review by Anderson Construction Company leadership and owners/clients.

·    Verify bid forms, proposal requirements, scope descriptions, addenda acknowledgement, alternates, unit prices, inclusions, exclusions, and required attachments before submission.

Post-Bid, Award, and Project Handoff

·    Assist with post-bid clarifications, scope reviews, value-engineering options, and budget revisions as needed.

·    Upon award, prepare and participate in a formal estimating-to-operations handoff including estimate backup, subcontractor/vendor quotes, exclusions, allowances, alternates, scope clarifications, budget assumptions, and pending risks.

·    Support project management with pricing change orders, owner-requested revisions, value-engineering options, and subcontractor/vendor cost evaluations as needed.

·    Maintain complete and organized estimating files so project information can be reviewed, audited, and transferred efficiently.

Required Skills and Qualifications

·    Minimum three years of related construction estimating, project management, field supervision, or preconstruction experience preferred.

·    College degree in Building Construction, Construction Management, Engineering, or related field preferred; equivalent construction experience may be considered.

·    Strong plan reading, specification review, quantity takeoff, and scope interpretation skills.

·    Strong verbal and written communication skills, including professional communication with owners, design professionals, subcontractors, vendors, and internal team members.

·    Proficient with Microsoft Excel, Outlook, Word, PDF plan review, digital takeoff tools, and company estimating/project management software.

·    Working knowledge of design and construction processes, trade sequencing, subcontractor scopes, construction terminology, and common commercial construction means and methods.

·    Self-motivated, organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple bids while meeting strict deadlines.

·    Ability to work independently and within a team environment while maintaining sound judgment, confidentiality, and professionalism.

Preferred Qualifications

·    Experience estimating commercial, residential, medical, office, retail, industrial, municipal, or similar general contracting projects.

·    Experience using construction software platforms.

·    Knowledge of local subcontractor/vendor markets, construction costs, permitting issues, and regional construction practices.

·    Ability to prepare conceptual budgets, preliminary budgets, design-assist pricing, and value-engineering recommendations.

Performance Standards

·    Maintains bid calendar and meets internal and external bid deadlines.

·    Achieves adequate subcontractor/vendor coverage for assigned trades and bid opportunities.

·    Produces complete, organized, and reviewable estimate files with clear assumptions and supporting backup.

·    Identifies major scope gaps, exclusions, constructability concerns, and pricing risks before bid submission.

·    Communicates early when bid information is incomplete, deadlines are at risk, or pricing concerns arise.

·    Provides timely and complete handoff information to project management after award.

·    Maintains professional relationships with owners, architects, engineers, subcontractors, vendors, and coworkers.

·    Demonstrates accuracy, follow-through, urgency, attention to detail, sound judgment, and willingness to ask questions when information is unclear.

Physical Demands

·    Ability to work occasional extended hours to meet project demands and deadlines.

·    Reliable transportation and ability to drive to job sites, pre-bid meetings, client meetings, and subcontractor/vendor meetings as required.

·    Ability to walk active or undeveloped project sites with uneven terrain, climb stairs and ladders when reasonably required, and observe typical jobsite safety requirements.

·    Ability to sit, stand, use a computer, read plans/specifications, and communicate by phone, email, video conference, and in-person meetings for extended periods.

Working Conditions

·    Approximately 90% office environment and 10% field environment; actual percentages may vary based on project needs.

·    Field visits may involve active construction sites, weather exposure, uneven terrain, dust, noise, temporary access conditions, and standard PPE requirements.

·    The role requires frequent deadline-driven work, competing priorities, and coordination with multiple internal and external parties.

Anderson Construction Company is a general contractor based in Panama City, Florida, serving commercial and residential clients throughout the Florida Panhandle. The company is built on integrity, hard work, quality, pride, attention to detail, accountability, continual improvement, and protecting its reputation daily. We are seeking a Project Manager who is organized, professional, solutions-oriented, and capable of leading projects with limited supervision while contributing positively to the team culture.

Company Description

Anderson Construction Company is a general contractor based in Panama City, Florida, serving commercial and residential clients throughout the Florida Panhandle. The company is built on integrity, hard work, quality, pride, attention to detail, accountability, continual improvement, and protecting its reputation daily. We are seeking a Project Manager who is organized, professional, solutions-oriented, and capable of leading projects with limited supervision while contributing positively to the team culture.