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 & Responsibilities
Estimating & 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
Qualifications
Required
- 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