Lump Sum Bidding Estimator

AUCH Construction•Pontiac, MI

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Lump Sum Bidding Estimator is responsible for preparing accurate, timely, and competitive lump sum bids for commercial construction projects, currently with a primary focus on K–12 schools, higher education facilities, municipal buildings, and healthcare institutions. This role requires a strong understanding of public and institutional project requirements, and involves collaboration with internal teams, subcontractors, and clients to deliver comprehensive and compliant proposals.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent direct experience)
3+ years of experience in commercial construction estimating, with a strong and verifiable portfolio of lump sum bidding
Proven experience with public sector and institutional projects (K–12, higher education, municipal, or healthcare)
Strong understanding of public bid processes, compliance requirements, and documentation standards
Proficient in estimating tools and software, such as: WinEst (highly sought) Bluebeam, On-Screen Takeoff, or similar
Highly detail-oriented with strong mathematical and analytical skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills for interaction with clients, consultants, and team members
Ability to work under deadlines, prioritize tasks, and manage multiple estimates simultaneously
Knowledge of regional labor rates, subcontractor market, and construction materials

Responsibilities

Perform precise material and labor takeoffs using plans, contract documents, and specifications for the project.
Utilize historical data, subcontractor quotes, and supplier pricing to develop estimates.
Validate estimates against past projects and industry benchmarks.
Review and interpret specific contract and/or project documents, such as: RFP/Specifications, project scope of work (SOW) and more to ensure full understanding of SOW.
Develop complete and competitive lump sum bid proposals.
Ensure compliance with all bid requirements, addenda, and deadlines.
Coordinate with subcontractors and suppliers to gather pricing and confirm scope coverage.
When bid successful, perform a detailed post-bid analysis report.
Conduct pre-bid meetings, site visits, and bid reviews to assess project conditions and inform pricing strategies.
Coordinate with architects, engineers, consultants, and project stakeholders to clarify scope and project requirements during the bidding process.
Identify potential cost risks, scope gaps, and exclusions in bid documents.
Analyze contractual obligations, bonding, and insurance requirements.
Work with leadership to develop risk mitigation strategies for competitive yet profitable bids by providing appropriate data to quantify risk and proposed strategies.
Identify and recommend value engineering opportunities and alternative solutions that improve cost-effectiveness while maintaining project requirements and quality expectations.
Assess current market conditions, labor costs, and material price trends.
Research competitor pricing strategies and past bid results to position the company effectively.
Provide leadership with insights on bid competitiveness and profitability.
Work closely with Project Managers, Superintendents, and finance to refine estimating assumptions.
Capture lessons learned from past projects to improve future bids.
Stay updated on industry best practices, new estimating software, and technological advancements.
Assist other estimators as requested in various projects/tasks which may include preparing and assembling bids for different contract types (Lump Sum, Guaranteed Maximum Price, Design Build and Cost Plus).