Estimator

Estimator Estimators work within the Pre-Construction Services Team and with clients, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and suppliers to plan cost factors for building projects. Estimators analyze construction documents, specifications, proposals, and other documentation to prepare time, cost, and labor estimates for projects. Estimators are responsible for ensuring that estimates are completed in a timely, professional, and competitive manner, and that they are accurate and consider risk factors and construction methods. Estimators are accountable and responsible for developing estimates that ensure maximum profitability of projects. Estimators develop and maintain positive relationships with clients, potential clients, vendors, and subcontractors while always maintaining impeccable ethical standards. Safety Responsibilities: Prioritizes safety as the utmost importance, even before production, and promotes a team culture that makes safety the primary focus for all employees at all times. Adheres to safety procedures in accordance with OSHA safety policies and regulations. Design Process: Reviews plans and architectural drawings; prepares quantity take-offs on assigned projects. Ensures a complete review of plans and drawings. Identifies items that have been omitted and ensures appropriate accounting for such items in overall estimate package that represents the full scope of the project. Advises and consults with stakeholders during the design process using knowledge, contractual, program, and technical expertise. Is responsible for the coordination of all internal and subcontracted team members for the project during estimate phase. Is responsible for document control during estimate phase. Supports, understands, and advises clients on the projects, including their obligations in the development of building and site design. Generates scope sheets for all trades. Accurately and effectively defines the Company's and each subcontractor's responsibilities for each project. Defines expectations for all parties and identifies each party's roles and responsibilities. Obtains proposals and issues contracts for design consultants. Reviews and works towards reducing financial risk during construction that can be addressed at the design phase. Communicates with clients and documents any design changes, emphasizing monetary or time impacts associated with changes. Investigate value engineering options and constructability reviews of plans throughout design phases. Reviews and processes billings for consultants and clients for services rendered during estimate phase, partnering with SPAN Administrative Assistants. Bidding Responsibilities / Quantity Takeoffs: Takes on the role of bid captain for projects; this includes taking bids, bid pricing, analyzing bid packages from clients, assembling a bid package, submitting bids, and overseeing team members assisting with the bid of the project. Solicits subcontractor bids for assigned projects, collaborates with Bid Clerk in identification, selection, and prequalification of new vendors or subcontractors. Critically analyzes bid documents and understands risk and opportunities and articulates those to management and relevant stakeholders. Organizes the bid team, providing leadership and direction with regards to means and methods, schedule, and strategy. Sets up bid packages for trades, including but not limited to, invitation to bid, bid form(s), safety, insurance, preliminary schedule, and client requirements. Performs quantity take-offs from bid documents utilizing Bluebeam or other appropriate estimating tools. Identifies and updates addenda into bidding packages. Compares SPAN takeoffs with quantities listed in trade, supplier, or vendor proposals. Uses and understands current quantity takeoff methods, software, and practices to ensure the accuracy of quantities. Understands the limitations, errors, and mistakes that can be made when performing quantity take-offs and takes action to mitigate the impact on the bottom line. Coordinates with other team members assisting in this project and reviews their work. Cost Computing: Accurately assesses and plans takeoff workload. Uses quantity takeoffs, current labor rates, material costs, crew size, phasing, and the anticipated construction schedule to create an estimated cost for projects. Uses bids and proposals from trade contractors in the estimate to put together a final cost estimate. Appropriately assesses and accounts for expected general conditions and special requirements for the project. Identifies client expenditures, fees, soft costs, allowances, and items of work that are not carried in the bid proposal under SPAN's scope. Plans for and expects potential issues and provides a sufficient contingency plan to mitigate potential cost increases from unforeseen conditions. Finishes the estimate and technical proposal package within the agreed time period, along with presenting the information to the client. Includes the following items in the estimate as appropriate: taxes, insurance, bonds, client-controlled insurance program (OCIP), special wage rates, productivity, fees and permits, testing, special instructions, and commissioning. Maintains a very high level of confidentiality regarding financial details for all projects, including client names, estimates, bids, contract amounts, change orders, financing provisions, fees, and other project details. Works with Project Manager(s) to create a preliminary schedule to develop pricing, general conditions, and other costs/needs. Works through all site logistics during phasing of the project. Value engineers and reviews all design documents at appropriate intervals during the design process. At the completion of the estimate, meets and reviews bid documents with the Pre-Construction Services Manager and Vice President Pre-construction Services. Saves a copy of the estimate and proposal documents in Procore or other designated project folder as instructed by Company management. Is engaged in a team review meeting with the client to review project costs and execution of the contract. Meets with the Pre-Construction Services Manager and Vice President of Pre-construction Services to review the accepted budget for sign off. Awards contracts to subcontractors and vendors in conjunction with the Project Management Team. Negotiates and writes contractual agreements as required. Prepares conceptual estimates or Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) utilizing historical data. Demonstrates a working knowledge of material unit costs, systems square foot costs, and total building square foot costs. Requests for Information (RFI) During Bid: Reviews plans, specifications, and other construction and contract documents for missing, misleading, confusing, contradicting, conflicting, and other inadequate information. Submits requests for information to clarify items mentioned above to create an accurate estimate. Follows up with client or architect to ensure timely response to RFIs. Notifies clients of monetary or time impacts due to RFI responses. Current and Historical Data: Understands and anticipates what factors in the market can lead to cost escalations or decreases in cost. Utilizes cost data from previously completed projects to compile and maintain historical data for use and reference in future estimates. Conducts special studies to develop and establish standard hour and related cost data or effect cost reductions. Organizes and manages a centralized cost estimating database and a formal process to support cost estimating to ensure historical data is utilized. Analyzes completed projects to compare estimate costs to actual costs and determine the reason for any discrepancies. Provides and implements recommendations to cost estimating procedures to reduce future discrepancies between estimated and actual costs. Research current market trends and fluctuations on material pricing, labor rates, and other cost-related factors that could impact the accuracy of an estimate. Other Responsibilities: Participates fully as a team member in building an atmosphere of openness, honesty, respect, cooperation, and accountability. Is visible, approachable, accountable, and available. Exercises confidentiality and a high level of discretion. Projects a positive image of the organization to employees, customers, industry, and community. Sets up bidders list and prequalifies new trade contractors for the Company with the help of the Bid Clerk. Develops a list of potential bidders and solicits proposals from those companies. Is responsible for setup and facilitation of the construction handoff process. Mentors new team members, Bid Clerk, and other appropriate staff. Attends and represents the Company in project estimating, review, and pre-bid meetings (as requested). Attends and represents the company at trade shows and events.

Created: 2026-03-04