Estimator
Job Description
- Manage and prepare General Contractor Lump Sum bids for assigned construction opportunities.
- Review drawings, specifications, conceptual and schematic designs, construction documents, addenda, bid instructions, and other project information to develop complete and accurate estimates.
- Develop detailed estimates from conceptual design through final construction documents.
- Prepare conceptual budgets, ROM estimates, detailed estimates, control estimates, and final Lump Sum proposals.
- Develop comprehensive bid scopes and trade packages that clearly define subcontractor responsibilities.
- Perform quantity takeoffs using on-screen takeoff software and other estimating tools.
- Solicit competitive pricing from qualified subcontractors, vendors, suppliers, and equipment providers.
- Obtain and evaluate multiple competitive proposals for each bid package whenever possible.
- Perform detailed subcontractor bid leveling to confirm that proposals are complete and consistent with drawings, specifications, bid scopes, and project requirements.
- Identify exclusions, qualifications, allowances, assumptions, scope gaps, overlaps, and potential financial risks within subcontractor proposals.
- Negotiate with subcontractors and suppliers to obtain competitive pricing and favorable commercial terms.
- Develop pricing for labor, materials, equipment, subcontractors, general conditions, logistics, insurance, bonds, escalation, contingency, overhead, and other project costs.
- Understand the financial impact of fee, margin, contingency, escalation, and project risk when developing Lump Sum pricing.
- Apply knowledge of regional construction markets when estimating projects throughout the United States, including differences in labor rates, subcontractor availability, material costs, transportation, logistics, and local market conditions.
- Maintain current knowledge of construction costs, subcontractor markets, material pricing, industry trends, and regional economic conditions.
- Identify potential estimating and construction risks and communicate those risks to the Preconstruction Manager and project leadership.
- Participate in bid reviews and provide clear explanations of estimate assumptions, pricing, risks, subcontractor coverage, and recommended contingencies.
- Assist in preparing proposals and supporting documentation for clients and business development opportunities.
- Participate in project turnover meetings to ensure estimating assumptions, subcontractor pricing, scope commitments, and project risks are effectively communicated to the construction team.
- Conduct project site visits when necessary to evaluate existing conditions, logistics, access, constructability, and other factors affecting project cost.
- Collaborate with Preconstruction, Project Management, Engineering, and Business Development teams.
- Establish and maintain professional working relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, consultants, architects, engineers, trade organizations, and other project stakeholders.
- Assist with subcontractor bonding requirements and procurement when required.
- Manage multiple estimates simultaneously while meeting established bid dates and internal review deadlines.
Estimator Qualifications:
- 5–10 years of construction estimating experience, preferably with a General Contractor.
- Demonstrated experience preparing General Contractor Lump Sum bids.
- Experience independently managing estimates from initial bid documents through final bid submission.
- Experience estimating construction projects in multiple regions of the United States.
- Strong understanding of regional differences in construction labor, subcontractor markets, material costs, logistics, and overall project pricing.
- Demonstrated experience estimating waste-to-energy, heavy industrial, RNG, LNG process, pipeline, industrial, and environmental projects.
- Ability to prepare ROM and conceptual estimates from limited drawings, conceptual sketches, narratives, or preliminary project information.
- Strong knowledge of construction drawings, specifications, contracts, scopes of work, and other technical and non-technical project documents.
- Strong understanding of subcontractor solicitation, scope development, bid leveling, and proposal evaluation.
- Ability to identify missing scope, exclusions, qualifications, overlaps, and potential financial exposure within subcontractor proposals.
- Ability to perform detailed quantity takeoffs using on-screen takeoff software.
- Strong financial and analytical skills with the ability to evaluate project costs, margins, contingencies, escalation, and estimating risk.
- Ability to negotiate effectively with subcontractors, suppliers, and vendors.
- Ability to manage and prioritize multiple estimates based on bid dates, project complexity, workload, and company priorities.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing complete and accurate estimates.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Dependable, conscientious, organized, professional, and able to work effectively in a team environment.
HOUAC49
Meet The Recruiter
Molly Gutierrez, CPC
Direct Hire Recruiting Manager
I began my career with Burnett in 2012, shortly after graduating with a degree in hospitality. My passion for serving people naturally led me into recruiting, where I discovered how rewarding it is to connect top talent with the right opportunities.
Today, I lead our Accounting & Supply Chain Direct-Hire recruiting team while continuing to partner directly with clients and candidates. I specialize in placing Houston professionals across accounting, finance, and supply chain—ranging from staff-level talent to senior leadership and C-suite roles.
What I enjoy most is building lasting relationships and ensuring every placement is the right fit for both sides. My goal is always a true win-win: helping companies strengthen their teams and candidates achieve meaningful career growth.
Candidate Reviews
"Molly was very attentive and listened to what my needs and expectations were for finding a new job. She was friendly, supportive and very helpful the entire process. I would definitely work with her again in the future and would recommend her to others."
"Truthfully, I consulted with many staffing agencies but Molly with Burnett was far and away the most approachable, honest, and easiest to work with. There was a constant feedback loop from the first time we connected through starting my new position."
Client Testimonial:
"Molly at Burnett has been a strategic recruitment partner in assisting with successfully hiring specific accounting/ finance resources. She is incredibly responsive and understands our company culture. She consistently prioritizes new requests and presents candidates in a timely manner. Her dedication to the process and to her clients is impeccable. "
