Senior Estimator (Houston, TX)

Senior Estimator – Commercial Construction

Location: Dallas–Fort Worth, TX

Base Salary: $140,000–$170,000 annually

Employment Type: Full-time

About the Opportunity

An established commercial general contractor is seeking a Senior Estimator to lead estimating and preconstruction efforts across competitive bid and negotiated projects.

This role combines hands-on estimating with subcontractor engagement, client presentations, and mentorship of junior estimators. The ideal candidate can develop reliable budgets from early design concepts, prepare detailed proposals, and coordinate a smooth transition from preconstruction to field operations.

Key Responsibilities

Estimating & Preconstruction

• Develop conceptual budgets, detailed estimates, and final pricing from preliminary drawings through completed construction documents.
• Perform quantity takeoffs across construction trades and evaluate labor, material, equipment, and subcontractor costs.
• Identify scope gaps, clarify assumptions, and account for work implied by the design.
• Prepare trade packages, scope sheets, bid comparisons, and general conditions estimates.
• Apply knowledge of construction methods, unit costs, and market conditions to support accurate pricing.
• Identify cost-saving options and evaluate their impact on project scope and execution.

Bidding & Subcontractor Relationships

• Build and maintain relationships with qualified subcontractors and suppliers.
• Generate bidder interest and obtain competitive coverage across trades.
• Coordinate pre-bid meetings, pricing deadlines, and bid-day activities.
• Review proposals for completeness, compare scope and exclusions, and resolve pricing discrepancies.
• Conduct post-bid scope reviews to support final subcontractor recommendations.

Project Coordination & Client Support

• Support competitive proposals, construction manager at risk delivery, and guaranteed maximum price development.
• Assemble pricing documentation and communicate estimate assumptions, qualifications, and exclusions.
• Present budgets and pricing recommendations to owners and project teams.
• Collaborate with operations personnel to align estimates with project schedules, logistics, and execution plans.
• Lead estimating handoffs to construction teams following award.

Team Development & Process Improvement

• Mentor junior estimators and support their technical development.
• Contribute to performance evaluations, hiring, and compensation review recommendations for assigned team members.
• Improve estimating workflows, templates, and quality control practices.
• Promote accountability, collaboration, and responsive client service.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 8–15 years of commercial estimating experience working for a general contractor.
• Demonstrated career stability, with an average tenure of approximately four years or more per employer.
• Experience preparing conceptual estimates, detailed takeoffs, and comprehensive bid comparisons.
• Strong understanding of construction means and methods, unit pricing, and subcontractor scopes.
• Familiarity with the Dallas–Fort Worth and/or Houston construction markets.
• Proficiency with spreadsheet tools, including Excel and Google Sheets, along with Word and construction scheduling software.
• Strong communication, presentation, organization, and time management skills.
• Ability to manage competing deadlines while maintaining estimate accuracy.

Preferred Experience

• K–12 education construction projects.
• Prior construction project management responsibilities.
• Experience mentoring estimators or supervising estimating staff.
• Experience supporting both competitive bidding and negotiated construction projects.

Compensation

Annual base salary of $140,000–$170,000, based on experience and qualifications.