Construction Estimator

Employment Type: Part-Time, Independent Contractor (20 hours/week)

Work Model: Remote (Sourcing priority: Philippines)

Work Hours: US Business Hours alignment

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced, detail-driven Construction Estimator to join our team on a part-time basis. In this seat, your deep construction industry expertise will be the core driver of accurate, competitive, and profitable project bids. You will own the full estimation lifecycle—interpreting construction drawings, performing precise quantity takeoffs, analyzing material and labor costs, and assembling comprehensive cost estimates for residential or commercial projects. Rather than relying on specific proprietary software, this role prioritizes a deep technical understanding of construction scopes, building codes, vendor pricing structures, and trades execution.

Key Responsibilities

1. Quantity Surveying & Takeoff Execution
   • Blueprint & Specification Analysis: Read, interpret, and analyze architectural, structural, MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing), and civil plans alongside project specification documents.
   • Material & Labor Takeoffs: Measure and compute complete, itemized material, labor, equipment, and subcontractor cost estimates across all applicable CSI divisions or project trades.
2. Vendor, Trade & Subcontractor Coordination
   • Subcontractor Scope Evaluation: Solicit, review, and evaluate subcontractor bids and vendor material quotes—ensuring complete scope coverage with zero overlap or missing line items.
   • Cost Database & Market Pricing: Track real-time material price fluctuations, local labor rates, and supplier lead times to maintain realistic unit pricing.
3. Proposal Preparation & Bid Strategy
   • Detailed Cost Summaries: Assemble comprehensive bid proposals, budget estimates, and line-item cost breakdowns for executive and client review.
   • Value Engineering & Risk Assessment: Identify site contingencies, constructability challenges, and potential project risks—offering cost-effective value engineering options where appropriate.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Professional Experience: 5–8+ years of dedicated, hands-on experience in construction estimating, quantity surveying, or cost engineering within commercial, residential, or civil building sectors.
• Technical Blueprint Literacy: Exceptional ability to read, navigate, and mark up architectural blueprints, structural drawings, scope sheets, and trade specifications.
• Deep Construction Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of building materials, construction methods, labor crew productivity rates, trade dependencies, and project staging.
• Spreadsheet & Estimation Accuracy: Advanced proficiency with spreadsheets (Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets) for line-item calculations, unit rate breakdowns, and bid comparisons.
• Communication Polish: Strong written and spoken English skills for clear collaboration with US project managers, engineers, and suppliers.
• Time Zone Alignment: Dedicated availability to work 20 hours per week aligned with US business hours from a Philippines location.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience estimating across both specialized sub-trades (e.g., framing, drywall, roofing, MEP) and general contracting scopes.

Success Metrics (KPIs)

• Takeoff & Estimate Precision: Delivering complete, line-item accurate cost estimates with minimal variance against actual construction job costs.
• Bid Delivery Velocity: Completing thorough project estimations on or before scheduled bid submission deadlines.
• Scope Coverage: Ensuring 100% scope coverage in subcontractor price reviews to eliminate post-bid change orders and unbudgeted costs.