Estimator – Commercial Construction

Please kindly note:

You must have general construction experience for consideration. Design-build general construction experience is preferred.

Experience as a subcontractor, supplier, or facilities manager—without general contracting experience—will not qualify.

A minimum average of 4 years' employment duration with each company is required for consideration unless projects were contract only.

Thank you for being respectful of the required qualifications in the interest of your time and our ad spend.

At GCM Contracting Solutions, Inc., we’re not just building projects—we’re setting the standard for innovation and excellence in the construction industry. With more than 35 years of experience, our team has delivered high-impact, design-build solutions across a diverse range of markets—from healthcare and tilt-up industrial to biolabs and fully automated marinas.

Our legacy, built by founder Robert Brown, is rooted in quality, integrity, and groundbreaking solutions that push the boundaries of what’s possible in construction. We are proud to lead projects like the world’s second fully automated marina, an engineering achievement only a select few can claim to have been a part of.

At GCM, you’ll work alongside the top 1% of construction professionals in the country—experts chosen not only for their technical skills but for their integrity, leadership, and forward-thinking mindset. We foster a collaborative, cross-functional culture anchored in servant leadership. Every team member is empowered to lead, innovate, and execute, ensuring our projects aren’t just completed—they set benchmarks for the entire industry.

As an Estimator, you’ll play a critical role in shaping the projects we pursue and how we deliver them. You won’t just run takeoffs—you’ll work shoulder-to-shoulder with design teams, developers, engineers, and senior leadership to shape strategy, constructability, and financial accuracy from day one. You’ll help build the future—literally.

• Elite Team: Join the top 1% of construction professionals working on groundbreaking projects.
• Cutting-Edge Projects: Contribute to innovative builds across the U.S., including fully automated marina systems.
• Collaborative Culture: Work with servant-leader team members who elevate one another.
• Professional Growth: Access extensive training, top-tier tools, and career development opportunities.
  

• At least 7 years of estimating or project management experience in commercial construction.
• Proven success in accurately estimating large-scale industrial or specialty projects.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to design-build and preconstruction strategy in a collaborative environment.
• Strong organizational and technical estimating skills, with the ability to communicate value clearly to internal and external stakeholders.
  

At GCM, we invest in your success—personally and professionally. Our culture fosters growth, leadership, and long-term opportunity. We offer:

• Competitive Compensation Package:
• Salary commensurate with experience, with eligibility for project-based and annual performance bonuses.
• Health and Wellness:
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families.
• Wellness program support and optional fitness reimbursements.
• Retirement Plans:
• 401(k) with company match.
• Professional Development:
• Company-supported training, certifications, and estimating tools/software education.
• Opportunities to attend industry conferences and continuing education events.
• Work-Life Balance:
• Paid time off (PTO), including vacation, holidays, and sick leave.
• Flexibility in scheduling to support work-life integration.

Performance Results Description – Design-Build Estimator

Position Mission:

To deliver accurate, timely, and strategic project estimates that reflect the full scope of work for design-build construction projects, ensuring competitiveness, profitability, and alignment with client expectations. The Estimator serves as a vital bridge between the design, preconstruction, and project delivery teams, supporting informed decision-making and operational success.

Key Result Area #1: Estimating Accuracy and Quality

Supporting Goal: Develop accurate, well-documented estimates that reflect the design intent, project scope, and risk profile for all projects.

Performance Standards:

• Estimates are consistently complete, well-supported, and aligned with current market conditions.
• Scope gaps, errors, or omissions are minimized through thorough document review and team coordination.
• Estimates are clearly structured and presented, enabling easy interpretation by leadership and operations teams.

Duties and Activities:

• Prepare conceptual, schematic, design development, and final construction estimates for a variety of design-build projects.
• Review design documents and specifications for accuracy, clarity, and constructability.
• Quantify all project components using takeoff software and internal tools.
• Validate and analyze subcontractor and vendor pricing to ensure completeness and competitiveness.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure assumptions, allowances, and contingencies are aligned with project expectations.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

• Strong understanding of construction methods, systems, and materials across commercial and industrial markets.
• Ability to read and interpret architectural and engineering drawings and specifications.
• Proficiency in estimating software and takeoff tools.
• Strong analytical and mathematical skills.

Key Result Area #2: Preconstruction Support

Supporting Goal: Provide cost planning and value-engineering support during the design phase to ensure feasibility, alignment with client budget, and project objectives.

Performance Standards:

• Estimating feedback is integrated into design iterations to control cost growth and promote project feasibility.
• Value engineering options are presented proactively when budget challenges arise.
• Design-build teams are provided with real-time cost guidance that informs decision-making.

Duties and Activities:

• Work closely with architects, engineers, and developers during preconstruction to ensure alignment between design and budget.
• Participate in project meetings and design reviews, providing real-time feedback and pricing adjustments.
• Identify and suggest alternative systems, materials, or approaches that reduce cost while maintaining performance.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

• Collaborative mindset to work effectively within integrated teams.
• Proficiency in communicating complex cost data in simple terms to a variety of stakeholders.
• Knowledge of current construction market conditions, materials availability, and industry trends.

Key Result Area #3: Bid Strategy and Competitiveness

Supporting Goal: Support the company’s growth by producing estimates that are competitive, strategic, and consistent with company goals and market positioning.

Performance Standards:

• Win rates are supported through clear, competitive pricing and strategic assumptions.
• Proposals reflect a deep understanding of client goals, project complexity, and risk.
• Estimates are completed within required deadlines with minimal revisions.

Duties and Activities:

• Analyze bid documents and develop bid strategies in coordination with leadership.
• Participate in scope review, proposal preparation, and presentations when needed.
• Maintain current cost database and subcontractor/vendor relationships to support competitive pricing.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

• Strategic thinking to evaluate project risks, opportunities, and pricing positioning.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills to meet bid deadlines.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.

Key Result Area #4: Documentation and Process Development

Supporting Goal: Maintain well-organized estimate documentation and contribute to standardizing estimating tools, formats, and historical data for consistency and scalability.

Performance Standards:

• All estimates are archived with supporting data and assumptions for future reference.
• Templates and processes are used consistently across project types.
• Estimate handoff to operations includes clear documentation and breakdowns.

Duties and Activities:

• Maintain estimate logs, historical cost databases, and project cost benchmarks.
• Develop and refine templates, checklists, and best practices to enhance estimating efficiency and accuracy.
• Provide feedback loops to improve cost forecasting and early-stage estimating assumptions.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

• Detail-oriented mindset with strong documentation habits.
• Familiarity with process standardization and database management.
• Collaborative skills to help transition estimates into live projects.

Required and Preferred Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field; or equivalent field experience.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in commercial or industrial construction estimating.
• Strong knowledge of design-build project delivery methods and phases of preconstruction.
• Proven ability to read and interpret architectural, structural, and MEP drawings and specifications.
• Proficiency with estimating and takeoff software (e.g., Bluebeam Revu, On-Screen Takeoff, ProEst, or similar).
• Experience preparing full-scope budgets, conceptual estimates, and GMP proposals.
• Ability to collaborate cross-functionally with design, operations, and leadership teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working within design-build or self-perform general contracting environments.
• Background in estimating concrete or structural systems is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with early-stage conceptual estimating for commercial real estate development projects.
• Exposure to niche sectors such as warehouse/industrial, ASAR (automated storage and retrieval) systems, or commercial mixed-use developments.
• Knowledge of subcontractor market trends, unit cost benchmarking, and bid-leveling processes.