Contractor Estimator and Sales

Electrical Estimator
Department: Sales
Reports to: Lead Estimator or Sales Manager
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Company: Gibson Electrical LLC
Position Overview
Gibson 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 Candidate
The 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 Responsibilities
Bid Management and Project Pursuit
Review 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 Development
Perform 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 material
Equipment and rentals
Subcontracted work
Permits and inspections
Temporary power
Excavation and site work
General conditions
Escalation factors
Contingency and project risk
~ Review estimates for accuracy and completeness before submission.

Scope Analysis
Develop 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 Assessment
Identify project-specific risks, including:
Underground utility conflicts
Existing site or building conditions
Long-lead equipment
Schedule and access constraints
Prevailing-wage requirements
Phased construction
Work in occupied facilities
Owner-furnished equipment
Incomplete or conflicting design documents
Develop 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 Development
Prepare 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 Coordination
Develop 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 Support
Conduct 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 Technology
Maintain 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 Qualifications
At least three years of electrical estimating experience preferred
Ability to independently estimate commercial electrical projects
Strong understanding of commercial electrical systems and construction methods
Knowledge of labor units, productivity factors, material pricing, and subcontractor management
Ability to read and interpret:
Electrical drawings and specifications
One-line diagrams
Site utility plans
Lighting and power plans
Fire alarm plans
Telecommunications plans
Construction contracts
Working knowledge of National Electrical Code requirements
Experience using digital takeoff or electrical estimating software
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Outlook, and Word
Strong mathematical, analytical, and problem-solving skills
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Ability to manage multiple bids, priorities, and deadlines
Preferred Qualifications
Journeyman Electrician or electrical field background
Previous field-supervision or project-management experience
Experience estimating commercial, industrial, infrastructure, or fire alarm projects
Proficiency with Bluebeam Revu
Experience with Accubid, LiveCount, ConEst, or comparable estimating software
Experience with Ohio prevailing-wage projects
Associate or bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering, or a related field
Core Competencies
Attention to detail
Financial and cost analysis
Commercial construction knowledge
Strategic thinking
Scope and risk management
Schedule and deadline management
Professional communication
Negotiation
Accountability
Teamwork
Continuous improvement
What Success Looks Like
A 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 Growth
This position offers the opportunity to advance through the following career path:
Estimator → Lead Estimator → Sales Manager
About Gibson Electrical LLC
Gibson 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.