Estimator - HVAC

Cogent Talent Solutions•Lubbock, TX

1d•$90,000 - $110,000

About The Position

The Estimator is accountable for the accuracy, completeness, defensibility, and profitability of all commercial plumbing estimates produced by the organization. This role functions as a core revenue-generation and margin-protection position, responsible for converting qualified bid opportunities into disciplined, competitive, and executable proposals.

Requirements

Minimum 8 years of commercial Plumbing or HVAC experience, including estimating
Demonstrated success in estimating complex commercial construction projects
Knowledge of Commercial Plumbing systems, HVAC systems, and construction means and methods
Knowledge of Job costing, labor productivity, and market pricing dynamics
Knowledge of Competitive, negotiated, and alternative delivery bid environments
High analytical rigor and attention to detail
Independent judgment under deadline pressure
Clear written and verbal communication
Ability to enforce discipline without positional authority

Responsibilities

Managing a controlled and intentional bid pipeline sourced exclusively from two approved channels and governed by formal bid controls.
Developing estimates from inbound bid invitations received directly from General Contractors (GCs).
Managing negotiated and relationship-based bid opportunities.
Proactively identifying bid opportunities through approved sourcing platforms (e.g., PlanHub, AGC sites, public bid portals).
Screening all opportunities using documented bid/no-bid criteria.
Enforcing capacity, backlog, and risk constraints prior to pursuit.
Managing bid calendars, deadlines, addenda, and final submission timing.
Coordinating pursuit strategy and prioritization with the VP of Sales & Marketing.
Producing complete, defensible, and market-aligned estimates.
Performing detailed quantity takeoffs for all commercial plumbing systems.
Developing labor projections using standardized productivity assumptions.
Pricing materials, fixtures, equipment, and subcontracted work using current supplier data.
Accounting for escalation, phasing, access constraints, and schedule impacts.
Identifying and documenting scope gaps, exclusions, clarifications, and assumptions.
Preparing bid proposals, scope letters, and qualifications in approved formats.
Protecting margin in dynamic market conditions.
Maintaining current price books, supplier data, and labor modifiers.
Incorporating material volatility, labor availability, and escalation risk into estimates.
Validating estimates against historical job cost and profitability data.
Applying approved overhead, labor burden, and profit targets.
Escalating abnormal market conditions to Sales leadership.
Collaborating in a disciplined manner with Sales leadership and external stakeholders.
Participating in bid/no-bid and pricing strategy discussions.
Responding to GC inquiries, addenda, and clarification requests.
Supporting value engineering efforts without compromising margin or scope.
Ensuring all pre-award commitments are documented and approved.
Formal, standardized transition of awarded projects to Operations.
Delivering a complete handoff package consisting of: Final estimate summary, Labor budgets and productivity assumptions, Material pricing assumptions and supplier commitments, Exclusions, clarifications, and scope qualifications, Documented risk items and constraints.