Preconstruction Estimator

This individual will oversee the preparation of estimates for projects and will ensure completeness and accuracy of subcontractor bids.

This role will manage multiple bids for projects and ensure timely and quality completion of bids for proposals for contracted work.

As preconstruction manager, you will be a liaison between the Owner, Architect, Consultants, and Construction team throughout preconstruction and will ensure that projects GMAX, Cost Plus, or Stipulated Sum bid proposals are completed in compliance with Owner specifications.

You will also work with assistant project managers, project coordinator and project engineers to ensure accuracy of bidding and project files.

• Lead the team to achieve successful and profitable project awards.
• Establish and maintain an excellent client relationship. Including a effective and harmonious working relationships with all those involved in the project, particularly with the Owner and the Architect.
• Employees will contribute to and consistently apply Crowther’s Core Values and policies and procedures by effectively working with all Crowther’s personnel without to regard to race, religion, age, national origin, gender, physical or mental disability.
• Review plans and architectural drawings; prepare quantity take-offs on assigned projects.
• For negotiated work, 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.
• For Construction Manager At Risk work, ensure a complete review of plans and drawings. Identify items that have been omitted and ensure appropriate accounting for such items in the overall bid packages and preconstruction process of the full scope of the project.
• Share information about reliable subcontractors and suppliers with Project Manager or Estimators. Develop and maintain effective working relationships so the needs of end user and its clients can be met.
• Solicit subcontractor bids for assigned projects. Obtain 3-5 bids for each trade and supplier group. Review and analyze bids for conformance to project specifications, price, material quality, insurance, wages, and related items. Discusses and resolves any questions with subcontractor prior to submission of final estimate.
• Follow approved estimating practices consistent with company guidelines. Ensure such practices result in the most complete estimates possible while ensuring the financial objectives are met.
• Maintains current information on trends in and changes to existing construction codes in order to ensure complete bids from subcontractors and material suppliers.
• Utilizes appropriate software programs to calculate, record and track estimates. Maintains skills at utilizing appropriate software to provide optimal job performance.
• As requested, attends client meetings to discuss estimates, answering any questions and resolving any issues regarding pricing and estimates.
• Maintains relationships with some clients during the actual project to ensure client satisfaction with the project and the company.
• Provides other services as directed including change order pricing, site visits, bid delivery and occasional collaboration with teams for other Constructors locations on specific bids.
• Reviews data to determine material and labor requirements and prepares itemized lists.
• Computes cost factors and prepares estimates used for management purposes such as planning, organizing, and scheduling work; preparing bids; selecting vendors or subcontractors; and determining cost effectiveness.
• Conducts special studies to develop and establish standard hour and related cost data or effect cost reductions.
• Consults with clients, vendors, or other individuals to discuss and formulate estimates and resolve issues.
• Interfaces with other individuals in the organization to obtain support and commitment to the cost estimates.
• Organizes and manages a centralized cost estimating database and a formal process to support cost estimating to ensure historical data is utilized.
• Analyzes completed projects to compare estimated costs to actual costs and determine the reason for any discrepancies.
• Provides improvement recommendations to cost estimating procedures to reduce future discrepancies between estimated and actual costs.
• Identifies cost trends to assist management in cost reduction and process improvement efforts.

Required Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in construction engineering or management or equivalent work experience is required plus 3-5 years of general construction estimating experience with K-12, Healthcare, Higher Education or Commercial New building projects. Well-developed estimating, communications, financial analysis, budgeting, purchasing, negotiation, and computer skills are required.
• Analytical Skills – Demonstrated ability to gather, relate and compare data from different sources, ensure data is reliable, complete and accurate. Fully capable in questioning incomplete data on complex construction projects.
• Communications - Demonstrated ability to speak, write and listen in a manner that commands attention and respect. Demonstrated skill at listening and understanding the needs of others.
• Decision Making – Ability to analyze variables and contingencies, evaluate circumstances, assess potential outcomes and develop a logical and timely solution that is consistent with the needs of the situation.
• Estimating – Demonstrates strong ability to accurately develop complete labor, material and other costs associated with the full execution of various construction projects that balance cost effectiveness with client satisfaction.
• Financial Analysis – Demonstrated ability to understand and analyze construction cost and financial data; ability to use financial data to make accurate change order, project schedule, general conditions and other business decisions.
• Interpersonal and Negotiation Skills – Strong ability to forge solid working, trusting and partnering relationships with subcontractors, vendors and internal staff. Communicating data, position or arguments in a manner that gains acceptance or agreement to reach intended outcome. Seeks a win-win solution.
• PC Skills – Demonstrated experience and competence in office productivity tools such as Word, Excel and MS Project. Demonstrated experience in estimating and other construction project management software such as Off Center, Take Off and Construction Information Network.
• Self-Starter – Demonstrated skill at accomplishing own work without the need for close supervision. Acts based on urgency, client needs and the needs of the firm without always having to ask someone for guidance.
• Time Management – Demonstrated ability and success in accomplishing tasks by established deadlines; demonstrated discipline in using time management tools and techniques to effectively multitask when needed.
• Proven working experience in estimating and project management with Procore, Bluebeam, Planswift, MS Projects, Negotiated CMAR contracts.
• Proven track record analyzing Information, commercial construction estimating, planning, reporting research results, attention to detail, informing others,
  requirements analysis.
• Excellent client-facing and internal communication skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Solid organizational skills including attention to detail and multitasking skills.
• Proficient in Windows operating systems and associated software.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Procore or similar construction management experience is a plus.
• Meet budgetary objectives and adjust project constraints based on financial analysis.
• Familiar with a variety of field concepts, practices and procedures.
• Lead and direct the work of others on the project team

Competitive Pay, Family Centric Environment, Great Benefits Package, - if you have the skills and experience - we want to talk to you!

The Crowther Group is a Commercial General Contractor specializing in multi-site projects. Headquartered in North Texas, our teams bring over 120 years of experience working with the best consultants and subcontractors available to get our clients the highest quality projects.

Trusted brands choose our firm for commercial, public and private ground-up, renovation and interior finish-out projects. The Crowther Group has a reputation built upon a foundation of entrepreneurial and experienced team members dedicated to delivering operationally excellent construction safely, on time, and within budget. We partner to understand our client’s business goals in addition to their construction project.

We are a trusted advisor to our clients and the communities we serve, and we are committed to partnering to achieve our combined goals.

In 2018, The Crowther Group was recognized by the Dallas-Fort Worth Minority Supplier Development Council as the 2018 Minority Business of the Year for Construction Excellence, in 2019 as the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) 2019 Class 2 Regional Supplier of the Year, and in 2020 as the Dallas-Fort Worth Minority Supplier Development Council Minority Business of the Year for Construction Excellence. The Crowther Group was awarded the SMU Cox Carruth Institute for Entrepreneurship as one of the 100 fasted growing Dallas-Fort Worth Privately Held Companies. In 2023, we ranked in the top 50 GC's by the Dallas Business Journal and a top 100 Best Place To Work for 2023. In 2024, 2025 and we have been recognized as a Best Place To Work for Working Parents by Dallas Regional Chamber.

Outside of the awards we have received, we are also a Dallas ISD P-TECH (Pathways to Technology Early College High School) Industry Partner, actively engaged in developing the future construction workforce.