Estimator

Estimator Level Position Expectations

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Estimator Level 1 – Entry Level Estimator*
Education: B.S. College Degree in Construction Related Field

Experience Level: 0-5 Years Experience

Technology:

• Proficient with the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
• General understanding of Scheduling software – MS Project and/or PrimaVera (Learn to generate simple generalized project schedules)
• Needs to learn and become efficient in the use of ISqFt, E-Take-Off, Sage Estimating
• Good overall knowledge in the use of the internet.
• Understand Building Information Modeling (BIM) and its uses within Weigand Construction

Consultant/Subcontractor/Supplier Relations

• Become familiar with names and key people for key subcontractors and suppliers that we use on a consistent basis.
• Start to foster trusting relationships with subcontractors and suppliers so they are familiar with you.
• Become familiar with key specialty contractors for soil boring, material testing, utility locates, etc.
• Become familiar with key consultants that Weigand Construction works with such as architects, MEP engineers, Civil Engineers, Structural Engineers, and interior designers. Understand their strengths and weaknesses and types of projects they excel at.

Internal Communications

• Become familiar with Estimating Department Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s)
• Become familiar with company personnel and understand their roles and responsibilities.
• Foster relationships within estimating and project management due to the amount of day to day interaction that takes place.
• Begin to learn the names of project Superintendents and Foreman that run work in the field.
• Visit project job sites once per month to better understand our self-performed work and means and methods for all trades. First year estimators should be accompanied by a Sr. Estimator during these visits.
• Complete training schedule action plan with your supervisor.
• Demonstrate desire for continual learning.

Estimating Duties

• Begin to develop a good understanding of the development of project drawings and specifications.
• Develop the ability to navigate through a set of project drawings and specification and understand where to look for key information.
• Learn how to perform proper quantity take-off’s of materials in a manner that is conducive to how the Timberline Estimating software is set up.
• Develop ability to enter relevant information into Sage Estimating.
• Be able to properly make changes to Sage cost estimate and manipulate data as needed to each specific project.
• Learn and have the ability to generate different types of Timberline reports to meet the needs of the person asking for the information and for proposals.
• Develop a good understanding of trade contractor’s typical scopes of work.
• Understand and be able to develop bid room requirements for bid day. (i.e. bid sheets, bid day recap excel sheet, spec section on marker board, late changes, hand check of bid amount, etc.)
• Develop bid sheets including detailed scope requirements.
• Consults with Chief Estimator to review self-performance items such as demolition, concrete, carpentry and building specialty items to confirm proper production rates and unit costs suitable for that specific project.
• Able to start formulating general condition budgets for each specific project for review with Chief Estimator or Senior Estimator.
• Begin to understand and develop front end specifications and bid package descriptions for projects that company is providing this preconstruction service. Learn to set up bid tabulation sheets and overall project cost summaries.

Administration Duties

• Prepares and maintains status of plan reproduction.
• Solicits and maintains communications with subcontractors & vendors.
• Transmits addenda and other bid information to subcontractors.
• Attends pre-bid conferences as needed for projects being estimated.
• Ensures that we have proper coverage from subcontractors and vendors on bid day.

• Set up project estimating files in an organized manner utilizing estimating folders and binders.
• Become familiar with SOP to solicit quotes for builder’s risk insurance and performance bonds.
• Work with accounting on the development and submittal of paperwork associated with bid submittals.
• Learn to utilize black books or other electronic document applications for proper note taking during meetings.
• Issuance of meeting minutes following preconstruction meetings with architects, subcontractors, and/or owners for those meetings that WCI facilitates.
• Properly utilize estimating tracking log to be sure information is accurate and current.

Project Turnover/Hand-Off Meetings

• Learn how to properly prepare for and facilitate comprehensive hand-off meetings with operations utilizing company SOP for this process.
• Properly turn over bid documents and sub buyout information to project management in a timely manner as part of the hand-off meetings. Goal is to have projects turned over within one week of project award.

Estimator Level 2 – Project Estimator
Education: B.S. College Degree in Construction Related Field

Experience Level: 5-10 Years Experience

Technology:

• Proficient with the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Good understanding of Scheduling software – MS Project and/or PrimaVera (Able to generate fairly detailed schedules including both preconstruction and construction activities.)
• Proficient in the use of ISqFt, E-Take-Off, Sage Estimating. Able to set up varying conditions on a project to accurately represent scopes of work, alternates, and desired breakout cost items.
• Good overall knowledge in the use of the internet.
• Understand Building Information Modeling (BIM) and its uses within Weigand Construction and be able to navigate BIM model using viewer software.

Consultant/Subcontractor/Supplier Relations

• Know the names of key people for key subcontractors and suppliers that we use on a consistent basis. Have established one on one relationships with them including periodic interactions outside of estimating. (i.e. lunches, dinners. social events, etc.)
• Be familiar with key specialty contractors for soil boring, material testing, utility locates, etc.
• Have ability to discuss projects with critical subcontractors and material suppliers to ascertain as many competitive advantages as possible on bids days.
• Be familiar with key consultants that Weigand Construction works with such as architects, MEP engineers, Civil Engineers, Structural Engineers, and interior designers. Understand their strengths and weaknesses and types of projects they excel at. Have established relationships with them so they are familiar with you and have a comfort level with communicating on both a personal and professional manner.

Internal Communications

• Know, understand, and utilize Estimating Department Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s)
• Set up internal pre-bid meetings with appropriate personnel within company to discuss bid strategies to assist in the securement of projects.
• Know company personnel and understand their roles and responsibilities.
• Have good professional relationships within estimating and project management. Able to facilitate good interaction and cooperation when working together on a project.
• Know the names of project Superintendents and Foreman that run work in the field. Ability to freely communicate with them when inquiring about means, methods, productivity, and sequencing. Develop good working relationship so superintendents and foreman feel free to call you about project information set up in estimating.
• Visit project job sites from time to time to better understand and communicate with field personnel on project cost status and production rates.
• Able to participate in and have an active role in preconstruction meetings with owners, architects, subcontractors, etc. Ability to communicate confidently and with a level of assertiveness. Come prepared and able to answer questions without delay.
• Has the ability to assist with the mentoring of newer and/or entry level estimators that come into the department. Ability to exhibit patience and utilize proper time management skills to assist in this process.
• Demonstrate desire for continual learning.
• Works with Business Development and Marketing in the development of RFP responses and budget reports developed for owners and architects.

Estimating Duties

• Has a good understanding of the development of project drawings and specifications. Knows the differences between varying architectural firms.
• Ability to navigate through a set of project drawings and specification and understand where to look for key information.
• Able perform proper quantity take-off’s of materials in a manner that is conducive to how the Timberline Estimating software is set up.
• Ability to perform conceptual and schematic cost estimates on projects with limited design information. Ability to “fill in the blanks” for a complete comprehensive scope meeting building code and owner requirements.
• Able to enter relevant information into Timberline and understand how information can be entered in varying ways depending on project needs and different types of reporting.
• Able to properly make changes to Timberline cost estimate and manipulate data as needed to each specific project.
• Ability to generate different types of Timberline reports to meet the needs of the person asking for the information and for proposals.
• Has a good understanding of trade contractor’s typical scopes of work.
• Able to efficiently develop bid room requirements for bid day. (i.e. bid sheets, bid day recap excel sheet, spec section on marker board, late changes, hand check of bid amount, etc.)
• Ability to manage the bid room on bid day and give direction to those assisting in the development of a bid. Consult with Chief Estimator or Director of Preconstruction when difficult issues arise when developing a bid.
• Begin to understand the differing means and methods available for constructability such as differing concrete form or scaffolding systems. Know the vendors to consult with and has the ability the understand and discuss differing systems to some level of detail.
• Better understands job site conditions to adjust production rates and units costs accordingly but still consults with Chief Estimator for a final review prior to finalizing bid amount to be plugged into estimate.
• Ability to develop thorough and comprehensive set of general conditions that are specific to each project. Review with Chief Estimator or Director of Preconstruction and Director of Field Operations on large negotiated or hard bid projects.
• Has the confidence of the Director of Preconstruction and Chief Estimator that project estimator has the ability to facilitate a responsible bid process on a project while at the same time managing overall company risk.
• Able to develop a comprehensive front end specifications and bid package descriptions for projects that company is providing this preconstruction services. Able to formulate this information to enhance utilization of indirect costs to ethically maximize project fee enhancement.
• Ability to work under pressure and multi-task to meet project deadlines.
• Able to set up bid tabulation sheets and overall project cost summaries for both hard bid and negotiated projects. Have the ability to present information to owners in an organized and confident manner that installs trust into what is being presented.

Administration Duties

• Prepares and maintains status of plan reproduction either by self or preconstruction department assistant.
• Solicits and maintains communications with subcontractors & vendors.
• Transmits addenda and other bid information to subcontractors.
• Attends pre-bid meetings for projects being estimated.
• Has the ability to prepare pre-bid meeting agendas and facilitate pre-bid meetings for projects that Weigand Construction is providing this preconstruction service.
• Ensures that we have proper coverage from subcontractors and vendors on bid day.

• Set up project estimating files in an organized manner utilizing estimating folders and binders.
• Utilizes SOP to solicit quotes for builders risk insurance and performance bonds. Able to facilitate these processes on your own.
• Work with accounting on the development and submittal of paperwork associated with bid submittals.
• Utilizes black books for proper note taking during meetings and prioritizing your day to day activities.
• Issuance of meeting minutes following preconstruction meetings with architects, subcontractors, and/or owners.
• Properly utilizes estimating log to be sure information is accurate and current.

Project Turnover/Hand-Off Meetings/Follow-Up

• Able to properly prepare for and facilitate comprehensive hand-off meetings with operations utilizing company SOP for this process.
• Properly turn over bid documents and sub buyout information to project management in a timely manner as part of the hand-off meetings. Goal is to have projects turned over within one week of project award.
• Checks in with Project Manager and Superintendent periodically during key on site building activities to assist with the monitoring of production rates and obtain feedback on overall costs to be used in updating company estimating database.

Estimator Level 3 – Senior Project Estimator
Education: B.S. College Degree in Construction Related Field

Experience Level: 10 Years Experience and Beyond

The following are additional expectations from a project estimator to become a Senior Project Estimator:

Technology:

• Work with Senior Estimator/IT Director with the identification and evaluation of new technologies to enhance preconstruction services.
• Work with Director of Field Operations as new equipment technology is implemented into field operations. Understand impact on productivity and quality of installation.

Consultant/Subcontractor/Supplier Relations

• Develop specific relationships with key subcontractors and consultants that have the ability to participate in preconstruction services at the conceptual and schematic design levels. Understand and communicate level of information needed for them to complete for these type of estimates.

Internal Communications

• Have a good understating of the differing contract types utilized within the company. (CMc, CMa, and Design-Build) Understand the services that need to be provided and contract provisions allowing for fee enhancement such as self-performance and the utilization of indirect costs.

Estimating Duties

• Has the ability to lead preconstruction services on specific projects following company procedures and SOP’s. Able to lead and facilitate O/A/C meetings in a professional manner throughout the entire preconstruction process.
• Has a good understanding of unit costs for all divisions of work. This is to include building materials and systems such as structural, mechanical, building envelope, etc. Able to articulate this information in meetings with owners and architects.
• Able to conceptually estimate utilizing standardized information or “rules of thumb” when calculating quantities with limited information. (i.e. tons of steel, tons of HVAC cooling, concrete, etc.) Minimal involvement from subcontractor community for all divisions of work.
• Have a good understanding of differing building systems on costs and how they operate. Be able to articulate these differences with owners and be able to intelligently discuss with architects and engineers. Include life cycle information when evaluating different materials and building systems.
• Understand basic building codes and able to incorporate this information into conceptual and schematic cost estimates.
• Be able to work with owner and assist in developing an overall project budget including soft costs and owner supplied equipment. Be able to ask the right questions and obtain information needed to complete this overall project budget. Utilize company’s cost control model spreadsheet.
• Work with Project Managers, Director of Field Operations, and Superintendents in the development of site logistics plans when needed. Utilize BIM department to formalize plan graphically.

Administration Duties

• Able to develop and facilitate the entire preconstruction services plan for each project. This includes taking the lead and scheduling and facilitating preconstruction meetings with architects, owners, and subcontractors as needed.
• Understand local permitting processes to be able to communicate to design and construction team and incorporate into master schedule when needed.
• Able to make changes to the estimating database as unit costs are updated or new assemblies developed. Coordinate this effort with Chief Estimator.

Marketing and Business Development

• Work with Business Development and Marketing in the review of RFP’s and assist in the development of the RFP responses including what information should be included and development of graphical information needed from estimating.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Work Location: In person

Salary : $61,700 - $78,200