Chief Estimator

Job Title

Chief Estimator

Job Post Summary

A growing commercial plumbing contractor is seeking a Chief Estimator to take full ownership of its estimating function. This is a highly visible, hands-on position responsible for converting commercial construction plans and specifications into accurate and competitive bids.

The estimator will manage projects ranging from smaller tenant improvements through multi-million-dollar ground-up commercial construction projects. The role requires strong commercial plumbing knowledge, independent decision-making, detailed quantity takeoffs, vendor coordination, bid strategy, and effective handoff of awarded projects to operations.

Job Roles and Responsibilities

• Own the complete estimating process from project lead through final bid submission for commercial plumbing projects

• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs and prepare estimates using Trimble AutoBid

• Develop, maintain, and refine fixture, piping, material, labor, and production assemblies

• Independently manage the complete bid calendar and ensure all bid deadlines are met

• Review commercial construction plans, drawings, specifications, and contract documents

• Identify scope gaps, exclusions, risks, constructability concerns, and value engineering opportunities

• Solicit, evaluate, compare, and negotiate pricing from vendors and suppliers

• Develop accurate and competitive project pricing based on material, labor, equipment, and production requirements

• Make go or no go recommendations and determine appropriate pricing strategies for projects

• Coordinate estimating assumptions and scope with ownership and operations leadership

• Complete clean and accurate project handoffs to project management and field teams after award

• Ensure estimates, assumptions, exclusions, and scope requirements are clearly communicated to operations

• Track bid performance against actual project costs

• Analyze job cost information and use historical performance to improve future estimates

• Maintain accurate estimating tools, databases, assemblies, and spreadsheets

• Manage multiple bids simultaneously while maintaining accuracy under deadline pressure

Qualifications and Certifications

• Minimum 3 years of commercial plumbing estimating experience

• Strong knowledge of commercial plumbing systems, fixtures, piping, materials, and installation methods

• Experience performing complete plumbing quantity takeoffs

• Experience reading and interpreting commercial construction plans and specifications

• Trimble AutoBid experience strongly preferred

• Strong understanding of plumbing labor and material pricing

• Experience developing or maintaining estimating assemblies and databases

• Ability to independently manage a complete bid schedule

• Strong vendor and supplier communication and negotiation skills

• Ability to identify project risks, scope gaps, and value engineering opportunities

• Strong Excel skills and ability to create and maintain estimating spreadsheets and tools

• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy under deadline pressure

• Ability to communicate effectively with ownership, operations, vendors, project managers, and field personnel

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision

• No specific professional certification is stated as mandatory in the provided job description

Benefits

• Health benefits

• Dental benefits

• Vision benefits

• Profit sharing

• Career growth opportunities

• High level of ownership and autonomy

• Direct interaction with ownership and operations leadership

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