Summary
The Senior Estimator is responsible for analyzing blueprints, specifications, proposals, and other documentation to prepare time, cost, and labor estimates for multiple large‑scale woodworking projects.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Performs project take‑offs and reviews drawings and other project information to determine scope, material and labor requirements and prepare itemized lists.
- Requests vendor and subcontractor quotes, interprets and processes RFIs, and generates quote lists by project item and saves to project folder.
- Consults with clients, vendors, and designers to request additional information and clarification on project requirements, scope, and value‑engineering potential.
- Sets up projects in the operations system, ensuring proper creation of work orders, labor and material budgets, and schedule.
- Organizes project folders in the project directory using all information obtained during estimating and handoff.
- Prepares and submits proposals, scopes of work, bid forms, and all other required bid documentation including price breakouts and value‑engineering.
- Prepares post‑bid scope review documents such as the color OST booklet.
- Attends scope review meetings with the customer.
- Follows up on submitted bids.
- Prepares awarded projects for handoff presentation to the project team.
- Develops and maintains relationships with vendors and customers.
- Participates in project team meetings.
- Supports Project Managers by identifying and quantifying changes in scope and costs, calculating and preparing change orders, vendor quotes, and budget updates, and performing other tasks as needed.
- Identifies project general condition costs such as travel, field costs, overtime, and others to ensure complete project costs are identified prior to bid submission.
- Identifies project insurance, permit, license, and tax requirements and coordinates with Accounting and Contracts to quantify those costs in the estimate.
- Interfaces with other departments such as Project Management, Engineering, Production, and Installation to obtain support and commitment to the cost estimates.
- Computes cost factors and prepares estimates used for management purposes such as planning, organizing, and scheduling work.
- Analyzes completed projects to compare estimated costs to actual costs and determine the reason for any variances.
- Provides improvement recommendations to cost‑estimating procedures to reduce future variances between estimated and actual costs.
- Identifies cost trends to assist management in cost reduction and process improvement efforts.
- Mentors and trains newer Estimators in estimating software, procedures, and methodologies.
- May perform the responsibilities of Estimator and other duties as necessary.
Qualifications & Requirements
Core Competencies
- Problem solving – Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem solving.
- Lead – Ability to effectively lead in a team environment, including giving directives, maintaining a professional demeanor, and demonstrating respect for all employees; ability to use your knowledge and skills to help and train other employees.
- Demonstrates attention to detail, maintains focus, and follows through in completing work tasks.
- Maintains a sense of urgency and completes assigned tasks within deadlines.
- Read and understands blueprints.
Education and/or Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in construction management, architecture, engineering, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
- Minimum six years of experience in architectural millwork estimating or a related construction environment.
- Extensive experience reading and interpreting blueprints, architectural drawings, and specifications.
Technical Skills
- Estimating software – e.g., INNERGY is preferred.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and Internet research.
- Strong mathematical skills, including cost analysis, markups, rates, and percentages.
- Familiarity with Procore, Bluebeam, or other project management and take‑off software is a plus.
Work Environment & Physical Demands
- Primarily office‑based role with occasional site visits as required.
- Ability to sit or stand for extended periods.
- Occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds (plans, samples, etc.).