Construction Cost Estimator

Construction Cost Estimator

The Building People delivers integrated solutions that connect technology, buildings, and people to optimize real estate performance, facility operations, and workforce outcomes. With over 450 contracts delivered across 187 project locations, we manage more than 1,700 facilities and support $38.5B in federal and commercial assets. Leveraging AI-driven automation, data analytics, and platform-agnostic systems, we create high-performing, future-ready environments that reduce cost, improve efficiency, and enable mission success. Founded in 2012, we now have over 450 employees supporting 23 federal agencies—making us a trusted leader in delivering technology-infused building solutions across the public sector.

The Building People is committed to fostering a workplace where every employee can thrive. Using tools like the Predictive Index, we thoughtfully align individual strengths with team needs -ensuring the right fit, the right role, and long-term success.

Our culture is rooted in integrity, innovation, and service. Through our growing philanthropy program, we support communities by focusing on gratitude, giving back, partnerships, and mentorship.

Our market offerings include:

• Real Estate & Workplace
• Facilities Management
• Facilities Operations & Maintenance
• Project Management & Engineering
• Workforce Transformation & Organizational Design
• Mission Support
• Smart Buildings & Energy Efficiency
• Technology Solutions

Join our rapidly growing team and help shape the future of real estate, facilities, and community impact.

The Building People, LLC, has a position open for a full-time Cost Engineer/Estimator in Columbia, SC. The Engineering Technician shall assist provide the customer with technical support and inspection services relating to maintenance, repair, or alteration of buildings, utilities, parking areas, roadways, and other work/projects on both leased and owned properties.

Responsibilities/Duties:

• Utilize Facilities Management software to review estimates submitted by contractors for maintenance, repair, construction, and other work to assure conformance with customer requirements. Ensures that proposals are technically sound and in compliance with Army regulations.
• Performs technical review & evaluation of plans and reports required to be submitted by the contractor including: Preventative Maintenance Plans for building structures, Quality Assurance Plans, as-built drawings, shop drawing submissions, and change order requests.
• Reviews drawings and specifications developed by A/E firms for adherence to design requirements, code limitations, and civil, structural, architectural, and engineering fundamentals and principles.
• Prepares cost estimates, technical specifications, preliminary sketches, & scopes of work for the contract purchase of complex repair and construction items, designs, and plans for alterations, remodeling, and repairs to various types of facilities, machinery, and equipment, new construction, and the development of contracts with organizational policies and procedures.
• To include estimating the cost of manpower and material, estimating length of time the projects will require, determining and analyzing alternatives when appropriate.
• Prepares contract modifications and design deficiency reports.
• May be required to make site visits for the purpose of studying conditions/gathering information to be used in preparation of drawings, etc.
• Other duties as assigned.

This position will not have supervisory responsibilities.

Required Experience & Skills:

• Detailed knowledge of methods and techniques of engineering and the construction, application, properties, operation, and limitations of engineering systems, processes, structures, machinery, devices, and materials.
• Knowledge and experience of HVAC systems, machinery, plumbing/piping, ventilation, fire protection, digging, shoring, lighting, and similar types of equipment and systems.
• Experience conducting building inspections/facility condition assessments.
• Must possess practical working knowledge and experience to develop detailed specifications, cost estimates, and project schedules.
• Must be able to read and interpret drawings and blueprints.
• Ability to work independently, efficiently, and prioritize effectively in order meet project deliverables and deadlines. Must be flexible and be able to adapt to rapidly changing requirements and timelines.
• Familiarity with standard CMMS systems, RS Means & various industry estimating tools, Auto-CAD, MicroStation, and Microsoft Suite.
• Must be able to read and accurately interpret contract documents.
• Must always be able to communicate effectively and in a professional manner.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee may be asked to walk/stand/bend/climb for extended periods. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. May be asked to drive for several hours during the course of site inspections/investigations.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

The employee will normally work in a temperature-controlled office environment, with frequent exposure to electronic office equipment.

During visits to areas of operations, may be exposed to extreme cold or hot weather conditions. Is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and loud noise.

Required Education:

• Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from an accredited college or university and a minimum of three (3) years of experience, or five (5) plus years of related experience and/or training or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations, Clearance:

• Currently favorable, or eligible for a National Agency Check with Inquiry (NACI) clearance, in accordance with AR 380­67.
• Valid Driver's License.
• EEP, CEM, or Tridium N4 certifications preferred but not required.

*Our positions may require a background screening and clearance directly from the Government.

*Please note that telework arrangements are subject to change based on customer requirements.

Additional Information:

Competitive benefits for eligible employees include:

• Medical & Rx
• Dental
• Vision
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Life Insurance/AD&D
• Long Term Disability and Short-Term Disability
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Pay

All positions require a background check after acceptance of our offer. The selected candidate will be eligible to begin employment before the background check has been finalized. However, continued employment will be contingent upon the results of your reference/background check from The Building People, LLC. Your position may require special credentialing, clearance, and access as a condition of employment. In the event the government or client does not sponsor or approve your clearance, it may result in termination of your employment.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at View email address on click.appcast.io and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this e-mail address.

For more information, view the EEO is the Law Poster and Pay Transparency Statement.