Estimator

Job Description

Job Description

Electrical EstimatorDepartment: SalesReports to: Lead Estimator or Sales ManagerLocation: Columbus, OhioCompany: Gibson Electrical LLCPosition OverviewGibson Electrical LLC is seeking an experienced Electrical Estimator to develop accurate, competitive, and profitable estimates for electrical construction projects.The Electrical Estimator will analyze drawings, specifications, addenda, and contract documents to determine project labor, material, equipment, subcontractor, and risk costs. This position plays an important role in identifying scope gaps, documenting risks and assumptions, developing bid strategies, and ensuring a complete handoff from estimating to operations.The Estimator will collaborate with sales, preconstruction, project management, field operations, general contractors, vendors, and subcontractors to help Gibson Electrical pursue profitable work while minimizing project risk.Ideal CandidateThe ideal candidate can independently estimate commercial electrical projects valued between approximately $1 million and $3 million. This individual understands labor units, specifications, subcontractor coordination, proposal development, and the commercial construction bidding process.The successful candidate is organized, analytical, detail-oriented, and capable of managing estimates with minimal supervision.Key ResponsibilitiesBid Management and Project PursuitReview invitations to bid and evaluate project suitability.Analyze drawings, specifications, addenda, geotechnical reports, contracts, and other bid documents.Develop bid schedules and ensure all deadlines and submission requirements are met.Attend pre-bid meetings, site visits, and project walkthroughs when required.Maintain bid calendars and opportunity-tracking systems.Coordinate bid activities with general contractors, owners, engineers, architects, vendors, and subcontractors.Identify scope gaps, ambiguities, and design conflicts before bid submission.Quantity Takeoffs and Cost DevelopmentPerform detailed electrical quantity takeoffs from construction documents.Develop labor budgets using company productivity standards and appropriate labor units.Calculate material quantities and pricing.Obtain and evaluate vendor and supplier quotations.Solicit, review, and level subcontractor proposals.Develop complete project budgets that account for:Labor and materialEquipment and rentalsSubcontracted workPermits and inspectionsTemporary powerExcavation and site workGeneral conditionsEscalation factorsContingency and project riskReview estimates for accuracy and completeness before submission.Scope AnalysisDevelop clear and complete scope narratives.Identify included, excluded, and qualified work.Review Division 26, 27, and 28 requirements.Evaluate owner-furnished and contractor-furnished equipment responsibilities.Identify temporary power, excavation, restoration, testing, commissioning, and closeout requirements.Confirm applicable permitting and inspection requirements.Review specification-compliance requirements.Document all assumptions that may affect pricing or project execution.Risk AssessmentIdentify project-specific risks, including:Underground utility conflictsExisting site or building conditionsLong-lead equipmentSchedule and access constraintsPrevailing -wage requirementsPhased constructionWork in occupied facilitiesOwner-furnished equipmentIncomplete or conflicting design documentsDevelop risk registers for complex or high-risk projects.Present identified risks during estimate and bid reviews.Recommend appropriate contingencies, qualifications, and risk-management strategies.Pricing and Proposal DevelopmentPrepare complete bid summaries and estimate-review packages.Develop pricing recommendations for management review.Assemble professional proposal documents.Write clear qualifications, clarifications, and exclusions.Confirm proposals align with company estimating and contracting standards.Participate in final bid reviews before submission.Assist with post-bid communication and scope clarification when needed.Vendor, Supplier, and Subcontractor CoordinationDevelop and maintain professional relationships with vendors, suppliers, and subcontractors.Request competitive quotations for materials, equipment, and subcontracted work.Evaluate quotations for scope coverage and compliance with project requirements.Identify quote gaps, exclusions, and potential cost risks.Track market conditions and material-pricing trends.Negotiate favorable pricing when appropriate.Assist purchasing and operations with budget verification and procurement planning.Project Handoff and Preconstruction SupportConduct turnover meetings with project managers and field leadership.Communicate estimate assumptions, labor budgets, and productivity expectations.Transfer bid documents, quotations, takeoffs, and supporting estimate files.Review material and equipment procurement strategies.Explain scope boundaries, qualifications, exclusions, and unresolved items.Present project risks, pending RFIs, and design concerns.Support buyout and early procurement planning.Remain available during project startup to provide estimate clarification.Documentation and TechnologyMaintain complete and organized electronic bid files.Properly archive estimates, proposals, quotations, and historical pricing information.Use estimating and digital takeoff software to prepare accurate estimates.Maintain current vendor and subcontractor information.Support improvements to estimating workflows, templates, and procedures.Assist with developing and maintaining company estimating standards.Required QualificationsAt least three years of electrical estimating experience preferredAbility to independently estimate commercial electrical projectsStrong understanding of commercial electrical systems and construction methodsKnowledge of labor units, productivity factors, material pricing, and subcontractor managementAbility to read and interpret:Electrical drawings and specificationsOne-line diagramsSite utility plansLighting and power plansFire alarm plansTelecommunications plansConstruction contractsWorking knowledge of National Electrical Code requirementsExperience using digital takeoff or electrical estimating softwareProficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Outlook, and WordStrong mathematical, analytical, and problem-solving skillsStrong written and verbal communication skillsAbility to manage multiple bids, priorities, and deadlinesPreferred QualificationsJourneyman Electrician or electrical field backgroundPrevious field-supervision or project-management experienceExperience estimating commercial, industrial, infrastructure, or fire alarm projectsProficiency with Bluebeam RevuExperience with Accubid, LiveCount, ConEst, or comparable estimating softwareExperience with Ohio prevailing-wage projectsAssociate or bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering, or a related fieldCore CompetenciesAttention to detailFinancial and cost analysisCommercial construction knowledgeStrategic thinkingScope and risk managementSchedule and deadline managementProfessional communicationNegotiationAccountabilityTeamworkContinuous improvementWhat Success Looks LikeA successful Electrical Estimator:Produces accurate, complete, and competitive estimates.Independently manages assigned bids and submission deadlines.Identifies scope gaps, pricing risks, and design conflicts before submission.Develops clear proposals with appropriate qualifications and exclusions.Builds dependable relationships with vendors and subcontractors.Provides complete and organized turnover information to operations.Helps awarded projects achieve their planned labor and gross-profit goals.Supports Gibson Electrical's growth by pursuing profitable, well-qualified work.Career GrowthThis position offers the opportunity to advance through the following career path:Estimator → Lead Estimator → Sales ManagerAbout Gibson Electrical LLCGibson Electrical LLC is a growing electrical contractor serving commercial, industrial, infrastructure, service, and fire alarm customers. We value quality workmanship, accountability, collaboration, safety, and long-term relationships with our employees, customers, and industry partners.If you are an experienced electrical estimator who can independently manage commercial bids and wants to contribute to a growing estimating department, we encourage you to apply.Background checks are not currently required as part of standard pre-employment screening under company policy. However, certain contracts or project sites may require background screening as a condition of employment on those specific jobs.Gibson Electrical LLC reserves the right to modify, update, or implement pre-employment screening policies at any time based on business needs, client requirements, or contractual obligations. When applicable, employees will be notified of any required screening prior to assignment.Per company policy, pre-employment drug screening is required for all applicants working in the field or on project sites. Applicants must be able to pass a drug screening as a condition of employment. Failure to pass the pre-employment screening may result in a job offer being rescinded.All employees are also subject to random, reasonable suspicion, and post-accident drug and alcohol testing during employment. Failure to pass a drug or alcohol screening at any time during employment may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination, in accordance with company policy.