Construction Estimator

Construction Estimator

Our client partners with architects, contractors, facilities teams, and marketing organizations to deliver customized solutions that transform commercial spaces into creative, functional environments. The company specializes in the design, manufacturing, and installation of custom signage, wallcoverings, acoustics, window film, and specialty finishes. Projects can range from individual locations to large-scale nationwide rollouts, requiring accurate estimating, strong vendor coordination, and close attention to construction documents and project specifications.

We are seeking a detail-oriented Construction Estimator to support the estimating team with takeoffs, bid management, installer and vendor pricing, and the development of accurate project estimates. This role is ideal for someone with a strong construction estimating foundation who is comfortable reviewing plans, interpreting project requirements, and using digital takeoff software. Because the company operates within a specialized area of commercial construction, the successful candidate does not necessarily need previous experience with every product category but must be capable of quickly learning niche materials, installation requirements, and estimating processes. The candidate will initially focus heavily on takeoffs before gradually assuming responsibility for installer and vendor coordination and complete estimate development.

Construction Takeoffs

• Review architectural drawings, construction plans, specifications, and bid documents.
• Perform detailed quantity and material takeoffs for commercial construction projects.
• Use digital takeoff software, ideally Bluebeam, to accurately measure and quantify project requirements.
• Identify relevant scope associated with signage, wallcoverings, acoustics, window film, and specialty finishes.
• Review drawings carefully for dimensions, quantities, materials, and installation requirements.
• Identify missing, conflicting, or unclear information within bid documents.
• Maintain organized takeoff documentation and supporting calculations.
• Ensure takeoffs are accurate before progressing projects into pricing and final estimating.

Bid Management

• Manage assigned bid opportunities through BuildingConnected.
• Review bid invitations, plans, specifications, addenda, and submission requirements.
• Track bid deadlines and ensure estimating activities remain on schedule.
• Maintain organized records for active and completed bids.
• Monitor project updates and incorporate revised drawings or addenda into estimates.
• Coordinate internally to ensure all required information is available before bid submission.

Installer & Vendor Coordination

• Contact pre-approved installers and vendors to obtain project-specific pricing.
• Coordinate with union installers when required based on project location, scope, or trade requirements.
• Clearly communicate project specifications, quantities, timelines, and installation requirements when requesting pricing.
• Follow up with installers and vendors to ensure quotes are received before bid deadlines.
• Review subcontractor and vendor pricing for completeness and accuracy.
• Maintain organized records of quotes and pricing information.
• Develop familiarity with the company's approved installer and vendor network.

Estimate Development

• Build comprehensive project estimates using completed takeoffs, material costs, installer pricing, and other project requirements.
• Compile pricing into clear and accurate estimate documentation.
• Review estimates for completeness before submission.
• Account for labor, materials, installation requirements, and other relevant project costs.
• Identify potential cost risks, scope gaps, or inconsistencies before bids are finalized.
• Work closely with the existing estimating team to validate assumptions and pricing.
• Gradually take ownership of estimates from initial takeoff through final completion.

Onboarding & Development

The role will follow a phased onboarding approach to allow the candidate to develop a strong understanding of the company's specialized construction work.

Initial Phase

• Learn company products, terminology, estimating standards, and processes.
• Review architectural drawings and project documentation.
• Focus primarily on completing accurate takeoffs.
• Become familiar with internal estimating workflows and BuildingConnected.
• Develop an understanding of the company's signage, wallcovering, acoustic, window film, and specialty finish scopes.

Development Phase

• Begin contacting approved installers and vendors for project pricing.
• Develop familiarity with union installation requirements and the company's installer network.
• Incorporate vendor and installer quotes into estimates.
• Assume greater responsibility for bid coordination.

Full Ownership

• Manage assigned bid opportunities.
• Complete takeoffs independently.
• Coordinate installer and vendor pricing.
• Build complete estimates.
• Track bid deadlines and required documentation.
• Support projects through the full estimating process.

Required Qualifications

• 2–5 years of experience in construction estimating, takeoffs, preconstruction, or a closely related role.
• Demonstrated experience reading and interpreting architectural drawings and construction documents.
• Experience performing detailed construction takeoffs.
• Proficiency with digital takeoff software.
• Strong understanding of construction estimating principles.
• Ability to interpret dimensions, quantities, materials, and project specifications.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple bids and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong organizational and documentation skills.
• Comfortable communicating with vendors, subcontractors, installers, and internal project teams.
• Ability to independently follow up on outstanding pricing and information.
• Strong written and verbal English communication skills.
• Ability to learn specialized construction products and installation requirements quickly.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bluebeam experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience with BuildingConnected.
• Previous experience estimating specialty construction or architectural finish projects.
• Experience with signage, wallcoverings, acoustics, window film, or related commercial finishes.
• Experience obtaining and evaluating subcontractor or installer pricing.
• Familiarity with union construction environments and union installer coordination.
• Experience working with architects, general contractors, subcontractors, and vendors.
• Background estimating commercial construction projects.

Tools & Software

Candidates should have experience with or be comfortable learning:

• Bluebeam or comparable takeoff software
• BuildingConnected
• Construction estimating tools
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office and/or Google Workspace
• PDF and architectural drawing review tools
• Project and bid tracking systems

Core Competencies

• Construction estimating
• Quantity and material takeoffs
• Architectural plan reading
• Bid management
• Vendor and installer coordination
• Cost analysis
• Numerical accuracy
• Attention to detail
• Deadline management
• Follow-up and communication
• Organization and documentation
• Independent problem-solving

Role Details

• Position: Construction Estimator
• Experience: 2–5 years
• Employment Type: Full-Time
• Schedule: Monday–Friday
• Time Zone: Pacific Time
• Work Environment: Remote
• Candidate must be comfortable with an early Pacific Time start, approximately 7:00–8:00 AM, to maintain strong overlap with the company's primary estimators.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role begins with producing consistently accurate takeoffs and demonstrating a strong understanding of construction documents and project scope. As the candidate becomes familiar with the company's specialized products and processes, they should progressively take on installer pricing, vendor coordination, bid management, and complete estimate development. Over time, the successful Construction Estimator will become a dependable member of the estimating team who can take an opportunity from plans and takeoffs through pricing and final estimate, while maintaining the accuracy and responsiveness required in a deadline-driven commercial construction environment.