Construction Estimator

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Mexico.

📋 Description

• Conduct quantity takeoffs and prepare material and labor estimates based on construction drawings, specifications, and PDF plan sets.

• Develop comprehensive bids that include scope sheets, inclusions, exclusions, and proposal packages.

• Send out RFQs to subcontractors and proactively follow up to ensure bid coverage.

• Make outbound calls to subcontractors to establish professional relationships with smaller trade contractors.

• Gather, organize, and evaluate subcontractor quotations.

• Perform bid leveling and assess subcontractor proposals scope-for-scope to pinpoint gaps, exclusions, and discrepancies.

• Review plans and specifications to determine scope requirements and identify potential issues.

• Raise and monitor RFIs when drawings or specifications lack clarity.

• Manage multiple bids simultaneously while keeping accurate status updates.

• Report on bid progress, subcontractor coverage, outstanding quotes, and deadlines to the project leadership team.

• Acquire knowledge of Chicago-specific construction codes, pricing, and union labor rates during onboarding.

• Take ownership of the bid pipeline from quantity takeoffs to bid submission.

• Coordinate directly with subcontractors and keep the team updated on bid coverage and deadlines.

⛳️ Requirements

• 3–10+ years of experience in construction estimating, depending on the role level.

• Solid background in commercial construction estimating.

• Preferred experience with retail, restaurant, tenant improvement, or other smaller-format commercial projects.

• Strong proficiency in reading and interpreting commercial construction drawings, specifications, and blueprints.

• A degree in civil engineering or a comparable technical/construction background is preferred.

• Familiarity with PlanSwift, Bluebeam, Procore, ProConnect, Revit, AutoCAD, or similar estimating/takeoff platforms.

• Fluent conversational English with excellent phone communication skills.

• Comfortable making frequent outbound calls to subcontractors and diligently following up until quotes are received.

• Highly organized and capable of managing multiple bids, deadlines, and subcontractor communications simultaneously.

• Able to learn and adhere to a client's existing systems and processes.

• Willingness to work as a dedicated team member rather than as an independent freelancer.

• Resume must be submitted in English.

• Must be amenable to working within the U.S. timezone.

🏝️ Benefits

• Option for remote work.

• Full-time schedule available.

• Flexibility as an independent contractor, with the responsibility of managing work on your own terms.

• Flexibility in work schedule across U.S. timezones, including EST, MST, CST, and PST hours.