Preconstruction Estimator

About the role:

The Preconstruction Estimator is responsible for performing quantity surveying and preparing accurate cost, resource, labor, material, and schedule inputs to support Divcon sales bids and early preconstruction planning. This role reviews customer requirements, sales feedback, technical documents, and internal planning assumptions to build estimate inputs that support customer proposals and internal project readiness.

Working under the direction of the Manager, Preconstruction Estimating & Planning, the Preconstruction Estimator partners with Sales, Engineering, Programming, Procurement, Panel Shop, Field Operations, and project leadership to gather estimating inputs, validate assumptions, identify scope gaps, and support a clear transition from bid development to project execution. This role does not own final pricing strategy or project delivery, but is accountable for developing accurate, well-documented quantity takeoffs, cost plans, and estimate details and communicating risks, assumptions, and resource needs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Review customer specifications, drawings, narratives, scope documents, sales feedback, and technical requirements to support bid development and preconstruction estimating.
• Prepare detailed estimates for assigned opportunities, including labor, materials, equipment, programming, engineering support, panel build requirements, subcontractor support, travel, and other project-related costs.
• Perform detailed quantity surveying and quantity takeoffs, including measurement, classification, and reconciliation of materials, equipment, labor units, and installation scope based on drawings, specifications, and available design information.
• Coordinate with Engineering to gather input on design effort, drawing requirements, technical review needs, sequence of operations assumptions, and expected lead times for design deliverables.
• Coordinate with Programming, SCADA, and controls teams to estimate programming hours, integration complexity, testing requirements, and sequencing considerations.
• Partner with Procurement and Panel Shop teams to validate material pricing, component availability, long-lead items, vendor lead times, panel build timelines, and ordering assumptions.
• Solicit, organize, and compare supplier and subcontractor quotations; perform bid leveling to identify scope gaps, qualifications, exclusions, pricing differences, and commercial risks.
• Prepare and maintain a basis of estimate documenting quantity takeoffs, pricing sources, labor productivity, escalation, allowances, contingency, scope assumptions, exclusions, and estimate maturity.
• Support Field Operations and project leadership by estimating field labor needs, crew assumptions, travel requirements, jobsite constraints, and execution sequencing based on project scope and schedule expectations.
• Identify scope gaps, exclusions, unclear customer requirements, missing information, cost risks, schedule risks, and resource constraints that may impact bid accuracy or execution readiness.
• Support constructability, value engineering, and lifecycle cost reviews by identifying cost-effective alternatives, documenting cost and schedule impacts, and coordinating technical validation with internal subject matter experts.
• Maintain cost and risk logs for assigned opportunities and support the development of appropriate allowances and contingency based on scope definition, identified risks, and available project information.
• Prepare estimate summaries, cost plans, cost breakdowns, resource assumptions, clarification notes, and supporting documentation for review by the Manager, Preconstruction Estimating & Planning and other stakeholders.
• Participate in internal estimate reviews, bid readiness discussions, and post-award handoff meetings to ensure assumptions, risks, and planning requirements are clearly communicated.
• Maintain estimating files, supporting documentation, quote records, bid assumptions, basis-of-estimate documentation, and version control in alignment with company standards.
• Use historical project data, labor productivity information, vendor pricing, material usage, and project feedback to improve estimating accuracy over time.
• Support development and continuous improvement of estimating templates, cost categories, resource planning tools, and standardized preconstruction processes.

Qualifications:

• Working knowledge of quantity surveying, estimating, preconstruction planning, project coordination, procurement support, technical project execution, or construction operations.
• Ability to interpret customer requirements, drawings, specifications, scopes of work, technical documents, and sales feedback to develop clear estimating inputs.
• Understanding of labor planning, material lead times, engineering deliverables, programming effort, panel build requirements, and project execution sequencing.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to develop quantity takeoffs, cost plans, cost breakdowns, labor assumptions, material forecasts, schedule inputs, and estimate documentation.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to identify missing information, unclear scope, cost risks, and planning assumptions that require clarification.
• Effective communication skills with the ability to gather information from Sales, Engineering, Programming, Procurement, Panel Shop, Field Operations, and project leadership.
• Ability to manage multiple estimates, deadlines, priorities, and stakeholder inputs while maintaining accuracy and organization.
• Proficiency with spreadsheets, estimating tools, project management platforms, ERP systems, or related business systems used to track pricing, resources, materials, and project information.
• Knowledge of quantity surveying methods, including measurement and quantification, cost planning, bills of quantities or schedules of values, tender analysis, bid leveling, value engineering, and cost risk identification.
• Ability to organize estimates using consistent work breakdown structures and cost codes and to prepare clear, auditable basis-of-estimate documentation.

Experience

• Minimum 2 years of experience in estimating, preconstruction, project coordination, project controls, procurement support, engineering coordination, construction management, or related technical operations role.
• Experience supporting bids, proposals, estimates, or early project planning in construction, controls, building automation, electrical, low-voltage, data center, MEP, industrial automation, or similar technical environments preferred.
• Experience performing quantity surveying and estimating labor, materials, equipment, engineering effort, programming effort, panel build requirements, subcontractor support, or project execution resources preferred.
• Experience with quantity takeoffs, bills of quantities or schedules of values, vendor and subcontractor quote comparison, bid leveling, value engineering, or basis-of-estimate documentation preferred.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams such as sales, project management, field operations, engineering, procurement, programming, or fabrication/panel shop teams preferred.
• Experience using historical cost data, vendor quotes, labor productivity, or operational inputs to support estimating accuracy preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to perform computer-based work for extended periods (6-8 hours/day).
• Ability to participate in meetings by phone, video, and in person.
• Ability to read computer screens, technical documents, drawings, specifications, and project information with or without correction.
• Ability to travel occasionally to Divcon offices, customer meetings, vendor meetings, or project sites based on business needs.
• Ability to work in a typical office environment with moderate noise levels and occasional interruptions.

Benefits & Total Rewards:

• Opportunities for Growth 
  Hands-on training and career advancement in an exploding data-center industry.
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance 
  We cover 100% of individual medical premiums and help offset the cost of family coverage.
• 401K with Employer Match 
  Eligible after 90 days, with company matching to help you invest in your future.   
• Disability Coverage 
  Both short- and long-term disability insurance provided at no cost to our employees.  
• Flexible PTO 
  Take time off when you need it, no accruing time necessary.

• Field-Based Employee Benefits
  For eligible field-based roles that require travel, Divcon covers all business travel expenses and provides a per diem, phone allowance, tools, and PPE at no cost. Eligible employees also receive paid training and additional reimbursable business expenses.