Construction Estimator

The Construction Cost Estimating approach at National Core is linked to an overriding department philosophy of "Cradle-to-Grave" management, thus construction is involved with projects from initial site identification to post occupancy surveys. The Construction Cost Estimator reports directly to the Vice President of Construction Estimating for a range of professional responsibilities in the development of and maintenance of the Historical Cost Model, and the development of cost estimates for individual project costs, including the pre-development analysis of various multi-family affordable projects. These cost estimates include initial pre-development evaluations of the potential site impacts and requirements, review of reports and studies, preliminary assessment of the regulatory requirements, the oversight of various design consultants, and involvement in the construction bid process.

The job entails responsibilities as both a general contractor and as an owner's representative managing third party general contractors. The Estimator works with the Vice President of Construction Estimating to prepare construction contracts, scopes of work, cost estimates, CPM schedules, bid packages, and shall be responsible for the buyout of projects assigned by the Construction Vice Presidents and Construction Managers. The Construction Cost Estimator is also responsible for the successful completion of the assigned projects on time, on budget, and within project quality standards.

The Construction Cost Estimator is also responsible for the Pre-Development phase of projects as assigned by The Vice President of Construction Cost Estimating and The Senior Vice President of Construction. These responsibilities include initial site reviews; conceptual cost estimates; entitlement processing monitoring; input as to cost implication; design consultant management relating to buildability, cost, quality, and value engineering, as examples.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prepare quantity take-offs and estimate costs of materials, labor, and use of equipment required to fulfill all provisions of the contract.
• Forecast project costs in a three-to-four-year window, working with preliminary project data.
• Evaluate construction methods and determine cost-effectiveness of plans.
• Evaluate acquisition of land for construction projects.
• Prepare estimates with the proper level of detail for all design stages: Conceptual, Schematic Design, Design Development, and Construction Documents.
• Ensure a complete review of plans and drawings, identify items that have been omitted, and ensure appropriate accounting for such items in the overall estimate package that represents the full scope of the project.
• Maintain current pricing records for labor and materials.
• Review and analyze reports and studies to validate accuracy and determine cost impact on projects.
• Assist in the creation of logistics plans and accurately translate them to direct project costs.
• Attend Owner and/or team meetings to discuss estimates, answer any questions, and resolve any issues regarding pricing and estimates.
• Interpret and explain plans and contract terms to administrative staff, workers, and clients, representing the owner or developer.
• Organize/conduct walk throughs coordinated with subcontractors to gather information on the existing conditions of a site.
• Manage the pre-development budget/cost estimating process for projects.
• Schedule projects using CPM software for budgetary purposes.
• Determine labor and resource workload requirements and standards for multi-family projects.
• Inspect and review projects to monitor compliance with building and safety codes, and approved plans.
• Prepare contracts and negotiate revisions, changes and additions to contractual agreements with architects, consultants, clients, suppliers and subcontractors.
• Obtain all necessary permits and licenses.
• Study job specifications to determine appropriate construction methods and related costs.
• Manage and direct design consultants.
• Implement and refine quality control programs.
• Confer with supervisory personnel, owners, contractors, and design professionals to discuss and resolve matters such as design questions, RFI's, cost overruns and construction problems.
• Plan, organize, and evaluate issues with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems.
• Investigate damage, accidents, or delays at construction sites, to ensure that proper procedures are being carried out.
• Take actions to deal with the results of delays, bad weather, or emergencies at construction sites.
• Analyze completed projects to compare estimated costs to actual costs and determine the reason for any discrepancies.
• Maintain the Historical Cost Model
• And other related duties as assigned.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience building and estimating multi-family projects (Type III/V and Type I podium).
• Maintain a work pace commensurate with given workload.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks effectively.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills
• Ability to work well under pressure of deadlines and meet them.
• Relate favorably and perform work activities requiring negotiating, instructing, supervising, and persuading others.
• Effectively influence people on a consistent basis
• Develop, maintain, and refine the Historical Cost Model.
• Have strong technical knowledge of estimating methods and practices, job cost forecasting, construction and project management methods.
• Prepare CPM schedules and manage project timelines.
• Manage project quality.
• Manage project costs per budget.
• Track project costs for conformance with cost models developed for individual projects.
• Make accurate evaluations leading to decisions without immediate supervision.
• Strong construction technical skills
• Ability to formulate scope when given minimal direction on design, whether it's incomplete drawings or ambiguous information.
• Ability to work autonomously on estimates from the beginning to end of the bid process.
• Accept and carry out responsibility for direction, control, and planning of projects.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of 2 years multi-family construction experience
• A minimum of 2 years cost estimating experience
• Strong construction estimating skills ranging from the conceptual level up to and including detailed estimate level.
• Strong ability to prepare and manage timelines and CPM schedules.
• Education or experience equivalent to a BS degree in construction management or business
• Experience working with Cities, Counties, and other permitting agencies on construction projects.
• Strong experience with Smartsheet, Procore, Bluebeam, and Microsoft Office.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Exposure to weather
• Standing, Walking, Sitting
• Driving
• Operate Computer and Office Equipment

FLSA CODE

• Exempt