JOB TITLE:Construction Cost Estimator
REPORTS TO:Pre-Construction Manager
LOCATION:Midwest City, Oklahoma
JOB SUMMARY:
The construction estimator develops cost/price estimates and related project budgetary reports. These include conceptual, preliminary, and detailed estimates for design-build, design-bid-build, and construction management contracts. Additionally, the construction estimator assists with deciding the projected time frame needed to complete a project and the identification of potential project risks. The construction estimator works closely with the project team, clients, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and vendors to calculate costs, durations, and risks and provides presentations to project leaders outlining their estimates for upcoming projects.
The construction estimator provides estimates for a range of facility, civil works, infrastructure, industrial and institutional projects. The construction estimator assists the Project Manager and Scheduler with initial project scheduling and activity cost allocation and assists the Project Manager with buyout and the development of the project budget.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Analyzing available documents (bid data) to gain a thorough understanding of the project for the preparation of the cost/price estimate. These documents include solicitation documents, addendums, construction drawings, technical specifications, design analysis, record drawings, RFI responses, and site visit notes.
2. Determining what factors of production will influence the cost of a service or product.
3. Preparing conceptual and preliminary estimates for budgetary and planning purposes.
4. Preparing detailed cost/price estimates to include labor, material, equipment, subcontractor, and other items, including costs associated with labor burden, material sales taxes, overhead, profit, bonds, builders risk insurance, and contingency.
5. Advertising and distributing bid/proposal documents, including soliciting, managing, and organizing quotations/bids from vendors and subcontractors.
6. Developing bid scope documents for distribution to vendors and subcontractors. Reviewing proposal requirements with the pre-construction team and management.
7. Developing and maintaining relationships with company vendors and contractors, including maintaining a vendor/contractor database.
8. Presenting prepared estimates to management and other stakeholders.
- Compiling and recording actual project costs to update the estimated cost data.
- Preparing thorough, accurate, and timely estimates, assisting the Contracts Manager with the preparation of bid documents, and bid bond requests.
- Supporting the proposal writer in developing written proposals (including price, technical, and management volumes).
- Coordinating the maintenance and distribution of bid documents with the Contracts Manager, including updating Procore and network drives.
- Providing complete front-end evaluations of solicitations, including informing management during acquisition “go / no go” decisions.
- Confirming wage rate requirements, tax rates (including sales and use taxes), and permit fees.
- Develop quantity take-offs (surveys), including a detailed breakdown of components and elements for systems and assemblies.
- Preparing task-level and subtask-level detailed estimates, including determining unit costs and rates when required.
- Coordinating initial schedule development with the project team and Scheduler, including confirming scope, milestones, phases, and contract restrictions required by the RFP.
18. Organizing bid closing together with the pre-construction team and management.
- Participating in final bid reviews with the preconstruction team and management to complete the estimate, including establishing final pricing (to include direct costs, general conditions, overhead and profit, and contingencies).
- Together with the Contracts Manager, ensuring that all bid forms are completed and properly executed, bid bonds attached, and bids transmitted or delivered.
- Leading estimate turnover on successful projects.
REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
1. Proficiency in mathematics, statistics, and data analysis.
2. Excellent analytical skills, attention to detail, and thoroughness. Able to identify ways to improve and promote quality; apply feedback to improve performance; and monitor own work to ensure responsive and competent estimates.
3. Good report writing and strategic planning skills.
4. Familiarity with analyzing requirement data to develop material and cost estimates for assigned projects.
5. Expertise with analytic tools, such as spreadsheets and database managers.
6. Ability to read and interpret technical documents.
7. Excellent written communication, verbal communication, and interpersonal skills.
8. Exceptional time management skills and ability to prioritize workload.
9. Able to synthesize complex or diverse information; collect and research data; use intuition and experience to complement data; and design workflows and procedures.
10. Able to speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listen and secure required clarifications; respond well to questions; demonstrate group presentation skills; and actively participate in meetings.
11. Understands business implications of decisions; displays orientation to profitability; demonstrates knowledge of market and competition; and aligns work with company strategic goals.
12. Able to work within approved budget; develops and implements cost-saving measures; contributes to profits and revenue; and conserves organizational resources.
13. Develop strategies to achieve organizational goals; understand the organization's strengths and weaknesses; analyze market and competition; identify external threats and opportunities; adapt strategy to changing conditions.
14. Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; plans for additional resources; sets goals and objectives; organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; develops realistic action plans.
15. Excellent organizational skills with the ability to track and maintain current and post-bid files/drawings. Organized and self-motivated, driven individual with problem-solving skills.
16. Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to be open and honest at all times.
17. Ability to thoroughly explain and report estimate status and activities.
18. High level of commitment to the well-being of the business.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
1. Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Construction Management, or related degree and 4 years estimating experience required, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
2. Proficient with industry estimating software such as Timberline Estimating or equivalent.
3. Experience using On-screen Take Off.
4. Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook), Adobe Acrobat, and Bluebeam.
5. Experience using industry scheduling software such as P6 Primavera and Microsoft Project, and industry project management software such as Procore and RMS.
6. Government project experience is a plus.
7. Project estimating experience including detailed plans, takeoffs, material and subcontractor solicitations, and contracts.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Work primarily in a climate-controlled environment with minimal safety/health hazard potential. Sedentary, sitting, walking, occasional lifting from the floor, and bending. Frequent near vision use for reading and computer use. Frequent stressful conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Must be physically able to operate a variety of office equipment. Physical demand requirements are at levels of those for sedentary work.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Prefer US Citizenship and ability to obtain a government security clearance (up to Top Secret) Required. Subject to a background check and drug screening. Must sign a Confidentiality Agreement and abide by confidentiality regarding program and personnel matters.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $55,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
Education:
Experience:
- related degree: 4 years (Preferred)
- Timberline Estimating software: 1 year (Required)
- On-Screen Takeoff: 1 year (Preferred)
- Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Outlook: 1 year (Preferred)
- Scheduling software P6 Primavera: 1 year (Preferred)
- Microsoft Project: 1 year (Preferred)
- Government Project: 1 year (Preferred)
Work Location: In person