Commercial HVAC/Mechanical Estimator

Kimmel & Associates • Charlotte, NC

4d

About The Position

Our client, a well-established mechanical contractor operating across the Southeast, is seeking a Commercial Estimator to support the expansion of its commercial HVAC business in the Charlotte market. The company serves commercial, multifamily, and institutional markets through HVAC and plumbing operations and is investing in the growth of its commercial division.

The estimator owns the estimating and proposal process from bid intake through award, working with operations and business development to convert opportunities into backlog. The role involves independently managing bid flow, presenting estimates to internal leadership and clients, and explaining and defending estimate details. The position offers exposure to senior leadership and a potential advancement path toward preconstruction leadership.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of mechanical or HVAC estimating experience in commercial construction.
• Strong knowledge of HVAC systems, construction documents, and estimating methodology.
• Proficiency with estimating and takeoff software such as Bluebeam, Trimble, or similar, and Microsoft Excel.
• Comfort working in a CRM environment to manage the bid pipeline; Salesforce is preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, particularly for proposal presentations and negotiation.
• High attention to detail and ability to self-manage deadlines across concurrent bids.
• Ability to work independently without close supervision.

Nice To Haves

• A degree in construction management or engineering is a plus but not required.
• Experience with Salesforce is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Review construction drawings, specifications, and bid documents to develop quantity takeoffs and define scope.
• Prepare cost estimates covering materials, labor, equipment, subcontractors, and overhead.
• Develop and present bid proposals, including scope breakdowns, clarifications, exclusions, and qualifications.
• Manage bid flow and opportunity tracking through Salesforce, using Bluebeam for takeoffs and markups.
• Solicit, level, and evaluate vendor and subcontractor pricing, and maintain supplier relationships.
• Conduct site visits to assess existing conditions, access constraints, and installation risks.
• Identify cost and schedule risks in bids and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Coordinate with project management and operations to hand off awarded work and support buyout.
• Collaborate with business development and sales to align pricing strategy with pursuit priorities.
• Use historical cost data and internal benchmarks to improve estimate accuracy.

Benefits

• Base salary of $90,000 to $115,000, commensurate with experience.
• Incentive compensation tied to bids closed and jobs won.
• Flexible work environment with a remote-friendly policy; remote Fridays are common.
• Comprehensive benefits package, with details provided during the interview process.
• Direct exposure to senior leadership within a growing division.
• Clear advancement path toward preconstruction leadership.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed