Senior Estimator

Prevail Recruiting•Houston, TX

12d

About The Position

An established commercial general contractor is seeking a Senior Estimator to lead estimating and preconstruction efforts across competitive bid and negotiated projects. This role combines hands-on estimating with subcontractor engagement, client presentations, and mentorship of junior estimators. The ideal candidate can develop reliable budgets from early design concepts, prepare detailed proposals, and coordinate a smooth transition from preconstruction to field operations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
8–15 years of commercial estimating experience working for a general contractor.
Demonstrated career stability, with an average tenure of approximately four years or more per employer.
Experience preparing conceptual estimates, detailed takeoffs, and comprehensive bid comparisons.
Strong understanding of construction means and methods, unit pricing, and subcontractor scopes.
Familiarity with the Dallas–Fort Worth and/or Houston construction markets.
Proficiency with spreadsheet tools, including Excel and Google Sheets, along with Word and construction scheduling software.
Strong communication, presentation, organization, and time management skills.
Ability to manage competing deadlines while maintaining estimate accuracy.

Nice To Haves

Experience with K–12 education construction projects.
Prior construction project management responsibilities.
Experience mentoring estimators or supervising estimating staff.
Experience supporting both competitive bidding and negotiated construction projects.

Responsibilities

Develop conceptual budgets, detailed estimates, and final pricing from preliminary drawings through completed construction documents.
Perform quantity takeoffs across construction trades and evaluate labor, material, equipment, and subcontractor costs.
Identify scope gaps, clarify assumptions, and account for work implied by the design.
Prepare trade packages, scope sheets, bid comparisons, and general conditions estimates.
Apply knowledge of construction methods, unit costs, and market conditions to support accurate pricing.
Identify cost-saving options and evaluate their impact on project scope and execution.
Build and maintain relationships with qualified subcontractors and suppliers.
Generate bidder interest and obtain competitive coverage across trades.
Coordinate pre-bid meetings, pricing deadlines, and bid-day activities.
Review proposals for completeness, compare scope and exclusions, and resolve pricing discrepancies.
Conduct post-bid scope reviews to support final subcontractor recommendations.
Support competitive proposals, construction manager at risk delivery, and guaranteed maximum price development.
Assemble pricing documentation and communicate estimate assumptions, qualifications, and exclusions.
Present budgets and pricing recommendations to owners and project teams.
Collaborate with operations personnel to align estimates with project schedules, logistics, and execution plans.
Lead estimating handoffs to construction teams following award.
Mentor junior estimators and support their technical development.
Contribute to performance evaluations, hiring, and compensation review recommendations for assigned team members.
Improve estimating workflows, templates, and quality control practices.
Promote accountability, collaboration, and responsive client service.