Estimator Jobs in Richmond, VA

We are seeking a Commercial Construction Estimator to take ownership of estimating and preconstruction efforts. This is an opportunity for an experienced GC estimator to run the full bid cycle, work directly with ownership, and help build a preconstruction function with a path toward future leadership.

What You'll Do as the Commercial Construction Estimator:

• Own commercial estimates from initial bid invitation through final submission and turnover
• Review architectural, structural, civil, and MEP drawings, specifications, addenda, and bid requirements
• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs and develop complete project estimates
• Prepare conceptual, budgetary, negotiated, and hard-bid pricing
• Solicit subcontractor and supplier proposals and build sufficient bid coverage
• Develop clear scopes of work and trade bid packages
• Level subcontractor proposals and identify gaps, overlaps, exclusions, and potential project risks
• Estimate labor, materials, equipment, subcontractors, general conditions, bonding, insurance, and other project costs
• Identify value engineering and cost-saving opportunities
• Attend pre-bid meetings, site walks, and internal estimate reviews
• Partner directly with ownership on bid strategy, final pricing, and bid/no-bid decisions
• Maintain historical cost data and strengthen the company's subcontractor and supplier network
• Lead estimating-to-operations turnover for awarded projects
• Support buyout, budgeting, change-order pricing, and cost management when needed
• Help improve estimating processes as the company's project volume continues to grow

Must-Haves:

• Demonstrated commercial construction estimating experience, ideally 5+ years
• Experience working in a commercial General Contractor environment
• Ability to independently develop a complete commercial construction estimate
• Hands-on quantity takeoff experience
• Experience soliciting subcontractors and suppliers and developing competitive bid coverage
• Experience developing scopes and bid packages
• Strong bid-leveling skills
• Ability to identify scope gaps, exclusions, overlaps, and pricing risks
• Knowledge of commercial construction costs, means, methods, and sequencing
• Experience estimating labor, material, equipment, subcontractor, and general conditions costs
• Ability to read architectural, structural, civil, and MEP plans and specifications
• Bluebeam Revu proficiency
• Strong Excel skills
• Ability to manage multiple bids and deadlines
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• Comfortable working directly with subcontractors, vendors, operations, and company leadership

Nice-to-Haves:

• Established Virginia subcontractor and supplier relationships
• Public-sector or government construction experience
• Institutional or higher-education estimating experience
• Davis-Bacon or prevailing wage knowledge
• Public procurement experience
• Bid bond and performance/payment bond experience
• Conceptual and budgetary estimating experience
• Value engineering experience
• Subcontractor buyout and project turnover experience
• Previous Project Manager or Estimator/PM experience with substantial hands-on estimating responsibility
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field

Benefits Offered:

• Performance-based incentive opportunity
• Company vehicle or vehicle allowance
• Fuel card or business mileage reimbursement
• Health benefits
• PTO and paid holidays
• Company laptop and mobile phone
• Professional development opportunities
• Direct access to company ownership
• Significant autonomy over the estimating process
• Opportunity to help shape and build the company's preconstruction function
• Potential advancement into Preconstruction Manager and Director of Preconstruction responsibilities as the company grows

Trueline and its clients are unabashed equal-opportunity employers committed to a diverse workforce. We welcome smart and ambitious applicants and recruit, refer, hire, place, and promote without regard to race, color, gender, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law.