Estimator

Job Description

Job Description

Purpose/Description of the Job:

The Estimator prepares accurate, complete, and competitive cost estimates and proposals. This position works closely with owners, design teams, subcontractors, suppliers, and RGC operations personnel to define project scope, evaluate costs and risks, and identify opportunities to improve project value. The Estimator supports projects from initial budgeting through bid submission and project handoff, providing clear pricing and scope information to project teams.

Major Responsibilities/Duties/Functions/Tasks:

• Adhere to and participate in the improvement of RGC Best Practices, particularly its Preconstruction Best Practices

Project Review and Estimate Preparation

• Review drawings, specifications, addenda, project requirements, and bid instructions to define the scope of work and required estimate deliverables.
• Attend pre-bid meetings and site visits as needed to evaluate existing conditions, access, logistics, and other factors affecting project costs.
• Identify missing information, document conflicts, and scope gaps; prepare requests for information and track clarifications through completion.
• Perform and document detailed quantity takeoffs for assigned trades, maintaining accurate records of quantities, pricing assumptions, and document revisions.
• Prepare conceptual budgets, estimates at design milestones, competitive bids, and negotiated proposals using subcontractor pricing, historical cost data, and appropriate estimating methods
• Estimate labor, materials, equipment, and subcontract costs for assigned scopes, including self-performed work when applicable; coordinate construction methods and productivity assumptions with operations personnel.
• Manage assigned estimating activities, establish milestones, and coordinate required input to complete accurate bids and budgets within established deadlines; serve as lead estimator on selected projects as assigned.

Subcontractor and Supplier Coordination

• Develop trade bid packages and clearly define scope boundaries, inclusions, and responsibilities to reduce omissions and duplication between trades.
• Identify qualified subcontractors and suppliers, solicit competitive pricing, distribute current bid documents and addenda, and follow up to obtain adequate bid coverage.
• Review and compare subcontractor and supplier proposals on a consistent scope basis; verify quantities, inclusions, exclusions, alternates, qualifications, and pricing.
• Conduct scope reviews, resolve proposal discrepancies, and support pricing discussions and negotiations within assigned authority.
• Build and maintain productive subcontractor and supplier relationships; keep contact information, trade capabilities, bid participation, and pricing records current in RGC systems.

Budget Development and Cost Analysis

• Coordinate with project managers and field leadership to incorporate project duration, staffing, site logistics, temporary facilities, and general conditions into estimates.
• Include applicable taxes, permits, insurance, bonds, allowances, contingency, escalation, overhead, and fee using project requirements and direction from RGC leadership.
• Identify constructability concerns, long-lead materials, market conditions, and other cost or procurement risks; document assumptions and recommend appropriate pricing or mitigation measures.
• Evaluate value engineering options and alternative materials, systems, or construction methods with the project and design teams; document cost and schedule impacts while considering quality and owner requirements.
• Update estimates as design and scope evolve, reconcile changes against prior budgets, and explain significant variances and potential budget overruns.

Bid Review and Proposal Submission

• Prepare estimate summaries, bid comparisons, alternates, allowances, exclusions, and clarifications; participate in internal reviews to verify scope completeness and pricing accuracy.
• Coordinate bid-day quote receipt, scope review, and final estimate assembly; obtain required internal approvals and submit complete proposals by the deadline.
• Support owner and design-team estimate reviews, respond to pricing questions, and follow up on submitted bids and budgets as directed.

Project Handoff and Continuous Improvement

• Participate in project handoff meetings and transfer estimate files, takeoffs, proposals, scope clarifications, bid documents, and pricing assumptions to the project team.
• Assist with project buyout by preparing scope information, reconciling proposed awards with the estimate, and identifying unawarded scopes or budget exposure.
• Maintain organized estimating records and historical cost data; review buyout results and available actual project costs with operations to improve future estimates.
• Follow and help improve RGC preconstruction best practices; maintain proficiency in approved estimating tools and share lessons learned with the team.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Building Science, Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or related field preferred; equivalent relevant construction experience will be considered.
• 2 - 5 years of combined experience in construction operations or in a preconstruction/estimating environment working at a commercial general contractor
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, team and collaboration skills. Sees connections. Great analytical, problem-solving, decision-making and organization skills
• Pays attention to details, prioritizes work and manages time well. Highly organized
• Proficiency in Microsoft Products (Word, Excel, etc.)
• Experience with digital takeoff and estimating software (such as Togal AI, Bluebeam, Procore, etc., or comparable systems)
• Valid Driver’s License
• Continually drives for results, strives for improvement, creates trust with character and action, teams up successfully, solves complex problems and builds other people.

Supervisory Responsibility:

This position has supervisory responsibilities for Auburn Office Preconstruction Interns.

Work Environment:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an office setting and, from time to time, in a construction site setting.

Physical Demands:

• Able to deal with the physical activities associated with an office environment (hear and talk, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls, reach with hands)
• Able to navigate work areas under construction

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full-time position. Standard days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. through 5 p.m. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Travel:

Travel to RGC job sites and other RGC offices required.

Other Duties:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

RGC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.