Construction Estimator

Position Summary

The Construction Estimator is a critical member of the Arzuman Brothers Procurement Department, responsible for delivering precise, trade-level quantity takeoffs, comprehensive cost estimates, and structured bid documentation for luxury residential ground-up construction and design-build projects throughout Los Angeles. This role is the analytical engine of the preconstruction process — translating architectural drawings, interior design specifications, and consultant documents into accurate, actionable cost intelligence that informs executive decisions, procurement strategies, and project budgets.

Reporting to the Procurement Manager, the Construction Estimator works in close collaboration with Architecture, Interior Design, Construction Operations, Finance, and Procurement teams to ensure that every project enters the construction phase with a well-validated, comprehensively scoped budget. This position supports the full preconstruction lifecycle, from conceptual budgeting through final bid award, by identifying scope gaps, managing estimate revisions, coordinating subcontractor and supplier bid packages, and maintaining structured cost tracking systems that support both current project execution and long-term benchmarking.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

• Estimating & Quantity Takeoffs
  – Perform detailed, trade-level quantity takeoffs from architectural drawings, structural documents, MEP plans, finish schedules, and consultant specifications for luxury residential ground-up projects.
  – Prepare accurate, comprehensive cost estimates organized by trade, division, and scope area using CSI MasterFormat or structured Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) formats.
  – Develop preliminary budgets, conceptual cost studies, and order-of-magnitude estimates during early design phases to support feasibility analysis and executive decision-making.
  – Prepare complete bid packages for subcontractor and vendor solicitation, including scope of work documents, quantity summaries, drawings, and specification references.
  – Assist in value engineering analysis by identifying alternative materials, systems, or construction methods that achieve budget objectives without compromising design intent or quality standards.
  – Review architectural and engineering drawings, specifications, and project documents to identify scope gaps, missing details, coordination conflicts, and items requiring clarification prior to pricing.
  – Maintain historical cost databases and benchmarking data to support continuous improvement in estimate accuracy and speed across project types.
  – Track estimate revisions, alternates, allowances, and scope clarifications throughout the preconstruction process, ensuring version control and documentation integrity.

• Bid Management & Subcontractor Coordination

– Manage the full bid solicitation process, including distribution of bid packages, issuance of addenda, and receipt and organization of subcontractor and supplier proposals.

– Conduct bid leveling and scope comparison analyses across multiple subcontractor proposals to identify the most competitive and complete bids for each trade.

– Support post-bid negotiations and subcontractor scope clarification meetings in coordination with the Procurement Manager.

– Prepare bid comparison matrices and award recommendation summaries for review by the Procurement Manager and Executive Leadership.

– Coordinate contract award handoff documentation between the Estimating, Procurement, and Construction Operations teams to ensure a seamless transition from preconstruction to execution.

Maintain organized bid logs, subcontractor contact databases, and proposal filing systems for all active and historical projects.

• Project Coordination & Cost Management

– Coordinate drawing revisions and maintain updated estimating documentation throughout all project design phases, ensuring estimates reflect current scope at all times.

– Collaborate with Procurement, Project Management, Architecture, Interior Design, and field teams to ensure complete scope alignment and pricing accuracy across all project disciplines.

– Maintain organized, Excel-based cost worksheets, estimate logs, and digital filing systems structured for efficient review, revision, and reporting.

– Support subcontractor and supplier bidding by preparing trade-specific scope packages, quantity summaries, and drawing reference sets.

– Assist in monitoring project budget performance against estimates during construction, supporting cost-to-complete forecasting and variance analysis as needed.

– Support procurement planning by identifying long-lead material items and providing material quantity data to the Construction Procurement Coordinator for purchasing coordination.

• Software & Technical Responsibilities

– Utilize Autodesk Forma or equivalent digital estimating platforms to perform quantity takeoffs, markups, and scope documentation.

– Maintain structured estimating files, drawing markups, and measurement records in Autodesk Forma or equivalent platforms to support auditability and team collaboration.

– Prepare cost analysis reports, budget variance summaries, and preconstruction cost forecasts using advanced Microsoft Excel models.

– Leverage Autodesk Forma or equivalent project management systems for documentation management, bid tracking, and reporting as required.

– Ensure accuracy, version control, and organizational consistency across all estimate documentation, digital files, and reporting deliverables.

– Interpret construction drawings, structural documents, MEP plans, finish schedules, and consultant specifications with a high degree of technical accuracy.

• Collaboration & Communication

– Communicate effectively and professionally with internal teams, subcontractors, consultants, and vendors on all estimating, scope, and pricing-related matters.

– Participate in preconstruction estimating review meetings, providing constructability input, scope clarification, and pricing context to the project team.

– Support project handoff meetings from preconstruction and estimating to the Procurement and Construction Operations teams, ensuring full scope and budget transparency.

– Partner with the Construction Procurement Coordinator to align material procurement schedules with estimate-driven quantity requirements and project timelines.

– Collaborate with Architecture and Interior Design on scope development strategy from conceptual design through final pricing, ensuring design intent is captured accurately in estimates.

– Present estimate summaries, bid comparisons, and budget updates to the Procurement Manager and Executive Leadership in a clear, well-organized format.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Procurement Manager or CEO Designee.

Position Requirements, Knowledge, and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, Business Administration, or a related field preferred; equivalent combination of education and professional construction estimating experience will be considered.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in construction estimating for U.S. residential projects, with luxury residential or custom home ground-up construction experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to perform complete, trade-level quantity takeoffs and develop comprehensive estimates from architectural drawings, specifications, and early-stage conceptual information.
• Strong working knowledge of construction materials, systems, sequencing, and trade scopes across all divisions of luxury residential construction.
• Proficiency in Autodesk Forma, Bluebeam Revu, PlanSwift, On-Screen Takeoff, or equivalent digital estimating and takeoff software required.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel required; experience with structured cost model development, bid leveling matrices, and budget reporting templates.
• Familiarity with Autodesk Forma, Procore, Salesforce, or equivalent construction project management platforms preferred.
• Working knowledge of CSI MasterFormat or structured WBS estimating frameworks preferred.
• Experience supporting subcontractor bid solicitation, scope leveling, and post-bid negotiation processes preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, and documentation discipline.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present complex cost information clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Physical Expectations

• This is primarily a sedentary office position; however, it requires the ability to bend, stoop, reach, and carry office supplies and materials weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Finger dexterity is required to operate a computer keyboard, calculator, and telephone equipment for extended periods.
• Ability to travel to offsite meetings, project sites, vendor locations, and storage facilities at the department’s request.
• Must be able to follow directions from a supervisor and adapt to varying physical tasks as assigned.
• Ability to work occasional extended hours or weekends based on project or bid deadline requirements.

Employee Benefits

AB associates will be eligible for many benefits in accordance with AB’s policies and applicable plan terms, including:

• Health Insurance – Medical Insurance & Dental Insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO) + Paid Holidays
• Simple IRA and Roth IRA Retirement Plan with company match
• Paid Maternity Leave
• Potential for internal growth within a growing organization. We promote from within.

AB is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws.

Disclaimer: This description outlines the basic responsibilities and requirements for the position noted. This is not a comprehensive listing of all job duties for this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.