Commercial Construction Estimator

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

The Commercial Estimator is responsible for producing accurate, defensible, and competitive cost estimates and bids across CaseCo Commercial's general contracting, design-build, and facilities management work. This role sits at the intersection of preconstruction, client relationships, and subcontractor management — translating plans, specifications, and scope into a winning, profitable estimate, and translating relationships into pipeline. The Commercial Estimator works closely with the VP Commercial & Federal, Pre-Construction Manager, and Commercial Project Managers to ensure estimates are accurate at handoff and that the relationships built during the bid process carry forward into the project.

Essential Duties & ResponsibilitiesEstimating & Preconstruction

• Prepare complete, detailed cost estimates for ground-up construction, additions, remodels, interior build-outs, and historic restoration projects.

• Perform quantity takeoffs from plans and specifications; verify scope completeness against drawings, addenda, and RFIs.

• Solicit, level, and qualify subcontractor and vendor bids; identify scope gaps and qualification discrepancies before submission.

• Build and maintain unit cost, labor, and material pricing databases reflective of current market conditions.

• Assist the Pre-Construction Manager in budget development, value engineering, and constructability reviews.

• Capture maximum defensible value in every estimate — pricing the full, supportable scope without inflating or under-stating risk.

• Prepare bid packages, proposal narratives, and qualification/exclusion language for client submission.

Client & Subcontractor Relationships

• Serve as a primary point of contact for clients, architects, owners, and developers during the preconstruction and bid phase.

• Build and maintain a qualified subcontractor and supplier base across all major trades; manage prequalification, scope coverage, and bid-day responsiveness.

• Represent CaseCo Commercial professionally in pre-bid meetings, site walks, and client presentations.

• Maintain ongoing communication with subcontractors and suppliers between bids to preserve relationship strength and pricing competitiveness.

• Support smooth handoff from estimating to the Commercial Project Manager, including a clear scope, budget, and subcontractor summary.

Business Development

• Identify and pursue new bid opportunities through existing relationships with architects, owners, developers, and industry contacts.

• Track bid opportunities, win rates, and pipeline in coordination with the VP Commercial & Federal.

• Represent CaseCo at industry networking events, association meetings, and client functions.

• Support proposal and capability presentation development for prospective clients.

• Cultivate long-term relationships that generate repeat and referral business for CaseCo Commercial.

Collaboration & Reporting

• Coordinate with Commercial Superintendents and Project Managers to ensure estimate assumptions match field execution.

• Provide regular pipeline, bid, and win/loss reporting to the VP Commercial & Federal.

• Participate in scoreboard and operating rhythm meetings as required.

Core Competencies

• Accuracy & Attention to Detail — gets the numbers right; understands that a missed line item is a margin problem six months later.

• Relationship Builder — earns trust with clients and subs through transparency, responsiveness, and follow-through.

• Ownership — treats every bid as if their name and CaseCo's reputation are on it.

• Collaboration — works fluidly across estimating, operations, and business development rather than in a silo.

• Growth Mindset — proactively pursues new relationships and opportunities rather than waiting for leads to arrive.

Physical & Work Environment

• Primarily office-based with regular travel to job sites, client meetings, and bid walks.

• Ability to navigate active construction sites, including uneven terrain and varying weather conditions.

• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation required.

Requirements

QualificationsRequired

• 3+ years of commercial construction estimating experience (general contracting, design-build, or related).

• Working knowledge of commercial construction means, methods, and sequencing.

• Proficiency with estimating and takeoff software, and project management platforms (e.g., Procore).

• Strong working knowledge of construction contracts, scope qualification, and subcontractor agreements.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; comfortable presenting to clients and ownership.

• Demonstrated relationship-building skills with subcontractors, suppliers, and client representatives.

Preferred

• Experience across office, retail, healthcare, industrial, or historic restoration project types.

• Prior business development or client-facing sales experience in construction or a related field.

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field, or equivalent field experience.

Benefits

Benefits include:

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k) match up to 4%
• Life insurance
• Flexible PTO