Assistant Estimator

The Assistant Estimator supports the Preconstruction and Estimating team in preparing accurate, complete, and competitive estimates for multifamily, affordable housing, senior housing, workforce housing, and related construction projects. 

This role assists with bid document management, subcontractor outreach, quantity takeoffs, proposal organization, scope review, compliance documentation, and pricing support. The position is intended for someone developing a strong foundation in construction estimating, subcontractor coordination, project documentation, and preconstruction processes. 

The attached job description already includes the core responsibilities of reviewing documents, performing takeoffs, maintaining bid trackers, preparing scope sheets, and coordinating with subcontractors; this version organizes those duties into a more polished and less repetitive format.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

Bid Administration and Document Management 

• Assist Estimators with bidder communication, including calls, emails, follow-ups, and correspondence with subcontractors, vendors, and suppliers.  

• Store, distribute, and publish bid documents, drawings, specifications, reports, addenda, and related preconstruction information.  

• Maintain organized bid files, scope folders, proposal folders, bid trackers, and bidder lists.  

• Read, interpret, and distribute addenda to ensure bidders are working from current information.  

• Maintain updated vendor and subcontractor lists, including contact information, trade categories, certifications, and bid history.  

• Collect and organize vendor proposals, subcontractor quotes, subcontractor information forms, MWSBE certifications, and other required documentation.  

Estimating and Quantity Takeoff Support 

• Read and interpret drawings, specifications, addenda, and other project documents.  

• Perform quantity takeoffs using Bluebeam, Excel, BuildingConnected, and other estimating tools.  

• Assist with takeoffs and pricing for assigned CSI divisions, including:  

• Division 01 – General Requirements  

• Division 10 – Specialties  

• Division 11 – Equipment  

• Division 12 – Furnishings  

• Division 32 – Exterior Improvements and Site Amenities  

• Identify deficiencies, inconsistencies, gaps, or conflicts in drawings, specifications, and other source information.  

• Assist with pricing scope gaps, deficiencies, and items not clearly defined in the documents.  

• Support conceptual and schematic design estimates.  

• Apply basic value engineering concepts to assigned divisions and scope areas.  

• Research material costs, subcontractor pricing, historical cost data, and market trends as directed.  

Scope Review and Bid Analysis 

• Develop scope sheets for assigned CSI divisions using company templates and estimating standards.  

• Compare subcontractor proposals for completeness, exclusions, qualifications, alternates, allowances, and scope gaps.  

• Assist in preparing bid tabs, leveling sheets, scope clarifications, and recommendation summaries.  

• Support the scope review process by identifying missing information, pricing inconsistencies, and potential risks.  

• Help ensure estimates are complete, organized, and aligned with Block’s internal standards.  

Subcontractor and Vendor Coordination 

• Support bidder outreach to help secure strong trade coverage and competitive pricing.  

• Follow up with subcontractors and vendors to obtain proposals, clarify pricing, request missing information, and confirm scope understanding.  

• Develop working knowledge of subcontractor scopes, means, methods, timing, sequencing, and trade-specific considerations.  

• Represent the company professionally in estimating-related communications, meetings, outreach events, and industry functions.  

• Build positive relationships with subcontractors and vendors through timely communication, organization, and follow-through.  

Compliance and Project Funding Awareness 

• Develop a basic understanding of project funding sources and how they impact bidding, documentation, subcontractor requirements, and compliance expectations.  

• Assist with communicating compliance requirements to subcontractors, including those related to affordable housing, MWSBE, Section 3, Davis-Bacon, HUD, CDBG, LIHTC, or other project-specific obligations.  

• Collect and organize compliance-related subcontractor documentation during the bidding process.  

• Develop an understanding of the differences between private, public, negotiated, and competitive bid work.  

Technology and Process Standards 

• Use Bluebeam, Microsoft Excel, BuildingConnected, and related estimating tools accurately and efficiently.  

• Maintain digital files in accordance with company standards.  

• Support consistency in bid documentation, takeoff files, scope sheets, subcontractor information, and estimating records.  

• Assist with maintaining historical pricing information, subcontractor feedback, and lessons learned.  

• Follow company estimating procedures and contribute to process improvements where appropriate.  

Required Skills and Competencies 

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy  

• Ability to read and interpret drawings, specifications, and addenda  

• Basic understanding of construction pricing and subcontractor scopes  

• Ability to perform quantity takeoffs for assigned CSI divisions  

• Proficiency in Bluebeam, Excel, BuildingConnected, and related estimating tools  

• Strong organization and documentation skills  

• Professional written and verbal communication  

• Ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment  

• Willingness to ask questions, learn, and accept direction  

• Ability to identify drawing deficiencies, scope gaps, and pricing concerns  

• Basic understanding of value engineering  

• Basic understanding of public, private, negotiated, and competitive bid work  

• Ability to work collaboratively with Estimators, Preconstruction leadership, Operations, subcontractors, and vendors  

• Professional representation of the company in all estimating-related communications and events  

Education and Experience Requirements 

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Business, or a related field preferred.  

• 0–3 years of experience in construction, estimating, project coordination, or a related field preferred.  

• Internship, co-op, field, project administration, or subcontractor/vendor coordination experience may be considered.  

• Experience with multifamily, affordable housing, commercial construction, or general contracting is a plus.  

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel required.  

• Experience with Bluebeam and BuildingConnected preferred.  

Physical and Work Environment Requirements 

• Primarily office-based role with occasional attendance at project meetings, site visits, bid walks, subcontractor events, or industry functions.  

• Ability to review drawings, specifications, and computer-based project documents for extended periods.  

• Ability to communicate by phone, email, video conference, and in-person meetings.  

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced preconstruction environment.