Residential Construction Estimator

Zurich Homes•Franklin, TN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Zurich Homes is seeking an experienced Residential Construction Estimator to lead estimating, budgeting, purchasing coordination, and job-cost management for residential construction projects. The role turns plans into actionable budgets, identifies opportunities to improve profitability, and collaborates with project teams to support successful project outcomes. This is a full-time, in-office position in Nashville, Tennessee, described as a long-term career opportunity within an established construction company. The estimator prepares project estimates from conceptual design through final construction documents, reviews plans and scopes, performs quantity take-offs and pricing across project scopes, and coordinates vendor and subcontractor proposals. The role also manages purchase orders and change orders, monitors job costs and budget variances throughout projects, and conducts post-project cost analysis. Additional responsibilities include maintaining vendor relationships and pricing data, supporting feasibility budgets, and improving estimating and purchasing systems and processes.

Requirements

Minimum 5 years of residential construction estimating experience.
Strong understanding of residential construction methods, sequencing, and building plans.
Experience preparing detailed project budgets and quantity take-offs.
Knowledge of purchasing, subcontractor management, and job costing.
Strong spreadsheet, analytical, and organizational skills.
Ability to manage multiple projects while maintaining exceptional accuracy.
Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience with custom homes, luxury residential construction, or design-build projects.
Familiarity with construction management and accounting software.
Experience identifying value engineering and cost-saving opportunities.
Knowledge of the Nashville residential construction market and trade network.

Responsibilities

Prepare detailed residential construction estimates from conceptual design through final construction documents.
Review plans, specifications, and scopes of work for accuracy and completeness.
Perform quantity take-offs and pricing for project scopes, including site work, concrete, framing, utilities, and interior finishes.
Solicit and evaluate vendor and subcontractor pricing proposals.
Develop project budgets, allowances, contingencies, and cost projections.
Participate in preconstruction and design meetings to support budgeting, scope alignment, and value engineering.
Identify potential cost risks, escalation concerns, labor shortages, and long-lead items early.
Prepare and manage purchase orders for residential projects.
Coordinate purchasing activities with approved budgets and vendor proposals.
Prepare and price project change orders, ensuring they are documented, approved, and included in project cost forecasts.
Work with project managers and accounting to verify invoice accuracy and contracted pricing.
Monitor estimate-versus-actual job costing and track committed and uncommitted project costs.
Identify budget variances and recommend corrective actions.
Participate in regular job-cost review meetings and conduct post-project cost analyses.
Support feasibility budgeting for speculative homes and future development opportunities.
Build and maintain relationships with vendors and trade contractors.
Maintain an organized vendor and subcontractor database; evaluate trade partner pricing, quality, responsiveness, and schedule adherence.
Identify and onboard vendors and subcontractors as needed, and support purchasing programs, rebates, and cost-saving opportunities.
Maintain estimating templates, cost libraries, purchasing systems, and organized digital estimating and purchasing files.
Keep labor and material pricing current with market conditions.
Continuously improve estimating, purchasing, and job-cost tracking processes.