Senior Estimator

F.H. Paschen•McLean, VA

About The Position

The Senior Preconstruction Estimator leads pursuits, initiates conversations with owners, serves as the primary point of contact for proposed clients, and manages certain functions of the Estimating group. The role is involved in daily preconstruction activities for various projects, including sourcing and reviewing opportunities, preparing budgetary estimates and schedules, and developing work plans from conceptual or schematic designs through construction documents. The estimator helps develop project Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) proposals through quantity take-offs, subcontractor pricing, and historical cost data. The role works with both public and private clients. The position develops client and designer relationships and supports projects throughout preconstruction and construction planning. It prepares estimates at multiple design stages, solicits and analyzes subcontractor and supplier bids, evaluates project documents, and collaborates with design partners on value engineering. It also supports preliminary schedules and work plans, attends design and client meetings, participates in project hand-offs, and visits active projects to compare estimates with project status. General work hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a standard five-day work week. Hours and workdays may vary based on critical work activities or required safety supervision.

Requirements

Over 10 years of experience with preconstruction and estimating is preferred.
Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Excel, and Word.
Knowledge of estimating, scheduling, and quantity take-off software.
Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills.
Excellent organizational skills and strong attention to detail.

Nice To Haves

Civil and structural preconstruction and estimating experience is strongly preferred.
A four-year degree in construction or civil engineering is preferred.
OSHA certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

Promote the growth and development of client and designer relationships.
Maintain positive working relationships with clients and architect and engineering contacts to facilitate successful project execution.
Attend client-initiated meetings throughout preconstruction.
Meet and network with owners, architects, and other industry professionals to promote F.H. Paschen.
Monitor and review potential opportunities through solicitation websites.
Prepare preliminary budgets, conceptual estimates, and detailed estimates at conceptual, schematic, design development, and construction stages, including quantity take-offs.
Review project documents and provide input on general conditions, project phasing, and site logistics.
Create subcontractor and material supplier bid lists and solicit subcontractor input as needed.
Prepare bid packages, obtain subcontractor and vendor bids, and analyze those bids.
Participate in preconstruction presentations to owners, including design development estimates and GMP booklets.
Collaborate with architects, engineers, and consultants to identify, track, and implement value-engineering opportunities.
Maintain working knowledge of material unit costs, systems costs per square foot, and total building costs per square foot.
Research, compile, and maintain historical cost data for future budgets and pricing.
Identify and qualify new material suppliers and subcontractors and add them to the subcontractor database.
Review proposal specifications and drawings to determine scope of work and estimate requirements.
Prepare discipline estimates by completing quantity take-offs for the scope of work.
Maintain supporting estimate files, including current supplier pricing information obtained through direct contact and source materials.
Prepare instructions to bidders and other bid solicitation information as required.
Participate in preconstruction strategy meetings about project and estimate approaches.
Assist with preliminary construction schedules and work plans.
Attend design meetings with owners, architects, engineers, and consultants.
Participate in project hand-off meetings between Operations and preconstruction teams.
Visit active projects to compare estimate assumptions with project status, meet with Operations, and review work in place.