Reporting to the Estimating Manager, the Civil Construction Estimator will be responsible for the accurate, timely preparation of full-cost estimates for projects, including materials and labour. He or she will be tasked with preparing and maintaining a list of suppliers, contractors and subcontractors, and establishing unit costs, labour rates, productivity factors and location impacts. This individual's accuracy is critical to the profitability of the business, as under-estimates may cause significant financial losses and over-estimates may result in the inability to win bids.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Prepare and/or coordinate the preparation of full cost estimates on conceptual, design-build or general tender work;
- Prepare materials, labour and equipment cost estimations necessary to successfully carry out a construction project according to proposals, plans, estimates and specifications;
- Prepare and maintain a list of suppliers, contractors and subcontractors;
- Advise on proposal procedures to follow;
- Study and analyze proposals received;
- Recommend/reject proposals and negotiate contracts;
- Establish unit costs, labour rates, productivity factors and location impacts;
- Evaluate and recommend allowances for indirect costs, design unknowns, escalation and contingency;
- Present estimates and conduct review meetings with clients;
- Participate and coordinate company risk and opportunity evaluation with clients;
- Review proposal specifications and drawings to determine scope of work and required contents of estimate;
- Prepare estimates by calculating complete takeoff of scope of work;
- Maintain files of working documents as back-up for estimate figures, including current (accurate) information on prices from suppliers through direct contact, sales brochures, price lists, etc;
- Support other department personnel as required which may include preparing estimates for other disciplines;
- Review design options and recommend best solution based on cost, engineering quality, or availability of materials;
- Effectively determine the bid strategies required for the company to be successful;
- Assist corporate and project management teams to determine what types of projects to bid on;
- Review all final estimate packages to ensure accuracy and completeness, prior to formal quotation;
- Participate in presentations to management and clients. May be responsible for closing the sale;
- Provide technical assistance in negotiating contracts, change orders, etc. as required;
- May assist in the preparation of studies, materials and methods, recommendations, and cost estimates as required; and
- Attend site visits or preconstruction meetings to evaluate and understand work scope in preparation to bid.
Requirements
- Post-secondary degree or diploma in construction/engineering degree, or an appropriate field;
- 5+ years of experience in cost estimation;
- Ability to use cost-estimating software to prepare cost quotes and bids. Preferably HCSS Heavybid;
- Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, etc.); and
- Must possess a valid class 5 driver’s license, with a clean 3 year abstract.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS amp; ABILITIES
- Ability to read and interpret building specifications, blueprints and as-builds;
- Mathematical skills and analytical skills necessary to do material and labour estimates;
- Mathematical skills and analytical skills necessary to interpret job cost reports;
- Effective verbal and listening communications skills;
- Time management skills;
- Strong working mechanical knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance;
- Ability to readily determine the correct tools and equipment needed to do a job;
- Client service and public interaction skills;
- Ability to work in a team environment with a minimum of supervision;
- Collaborative in dealing with customers and fellow employees;
- Customer focused - respond promptly to customer needs;
- Establish and maintain effective relationships with customers; and
- Receptive to change - can adapt to changing circumstances.