Estimator I

41 NORTH CONTRACTORS LLC • Lisle, IL

2d • Onsite

About The Position

41 North Contractors is a general contracting company serving the Chicago, Illinois, and Phoenix, Arizona markets, with experience in retail, restaurant, and commercial development. The Estimator I prices project work, works to ensure estimates comply with project designs, and helps maintain project budgets and schedules. The role anticipates potential project costs and prepares timely, cost-efficient, and competitive bids that support company profitability.

The Estimator I reviews project documents and coordinates with clients, subcontractors, suppliers, and internal teams throughout estimating and project handoff. The position also supports bid analysis, subcontractor buyouts, estimating-team training, and maintenance of internal estimating templates.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent construction management experience within the construction industry.
• At least 3 years of commercial construction estimating experience, including conceptual estimating, negotiated cost estimating, and hard bidding.
• Ability to work closely with architects, developers, and business owners as required.
• Knowledge of commercial construction means and methods.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Familiarity with building construction, market conditions, means and methods, and trade practices.
• Extensive experience with construction documents, drawings, and specifications.
• Knowledge of construction materials and labor costing and basic accounting principles.
• Strong understanding of standard estimating practices and procedures.
• Strong relationships with the local subcontractor base.
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with subcontractors, vendors, architects, engineers, designers, other professionals, and internal company personnel.
• Ability to prioritize workloads, complete tasks, stay organized, and maintain a disciplined work ethic.
• Ability to train people on estimating forms and documents and provide feedback on team-member abilities.
• Excellent oral and written communication and effective presentation skills.
• Knowledge of critical path scheduling and Microsoft Office, especially Excel and Project.
• Ability to perform quantity take-offs using PlanSwift, Bluebeam, or similar estimating software.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree or equivalent construction management experience within the construction industry.
• 5 or more years of commercial construction estimating experience, including conceptual estimating, negotiated cost estimating, and hard bidding.
• Procore experience.

Responsibilities

• Review RFP documents, drawings, and specifications; attend pre-bid meetings and coordinate walkthroughs to determine project scope and estimate deliverables.
• Work with clients and their representatives to establish preliminary construction budgets.
• Conduct hard-bid solicitations and prepare bid packages.
• Solicit and coordinate subcontractor bids and supplier quotes for labor, materials, and equipment in accordance with project specifications and budget requirements.
• Perform quantity take-offs and develop estimates before subcontractor input.
• Compare and level subcontractor bids against the in-house budget.
• Maintain working-document files supporting estimate figures.
• Develop preliminary construction schedules as required.
• Work with Sales and Administrative personnel to validate information going into contracts.
• Work with Directors, Project Managers, and Superintendents on project turnover meetings.
• Assist Operations with subcontractor buyouts for negotiated projects when needed.
• Complete post-bid analysis on unsuccessful bids with the Sales team.
• Participate in training and mentoring new Estimating Department personnel.
• Assist with routine maintenance and upkeep of internal estimating templates.
• Perform additional assignments as directed by a supervisor.

Benefits

• Auto/cell stipend
• Company expense card
• Medical insurance with a 70/30 employer split, starting the first of the month after the first 60 days
• Life, dental, and vision insurance, 100% employer-covered starting the first of the month after the first 60 days
• 5 sick days
• 10 accrued vacation days through the year
• 8 paid holidays
• 401(k) match

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level