What are the responsibilities and job description for the Estimator - HVAC position at Cogent Talent Solutions?
The Estimator is accountable for the accuracy, completeness, defensibility, and profitability of all commercial plumbing estimates produced by the organization. This role functions as a core revenue-generation and margin-protection position, responsible for converting qualified bid opportunities into disciplined, competitive, and executable proposals.
\n1. Bid Pipeline Development & Governance
The Estimator is accountable for managing a controlled and intentional bid pipeline sourced exclusively from two approved channels and governed by formal bid controls.
This includes accountability for:
- Developing estimates from inbound bid invitations received directly from General Contractors (GCs)
- Managing negotiated and relationship-based bid opportunities
- Proactively identifying bid opportunities through approved sourcing platforms (e.g., PlanHub, AGC sites, public bid portals)
- Screening all opportunities using documented bid/no-bid criteria
- Enforcing capacity, backlog, and risk constraints prior to pursuit
- Managing bid calendars, deadlines, addenda, and final submission timing
- Coordinating pursuit strategy and prioritization with the VP of Sales & Marketing
2. Estimating & Bid Development
The Estimator is accountable for producing complete, defensible, and market-aligned estimates.
This includes accountability for:
- Performing detailed quantity takeoffs for all commercial plumbing systems
- Developing labor projections using standardized productivity assumptions
- Pricing materials, fixtures, equipment, and subcontracted work using current supplier data
- Accounting for escalation, phasing, access constraints, and schedule impacts
- Identifying and documenting scope gaps, exclusions, clarifications, and assumptions
- Preparing bid proposals, scope letters, and qualifications in approved formats
3. Pricing, Margin & Market Risk Management
The Estimator is accountable for protecting margin in dynamic market conditions.
This includes accountability for:
- Maintaining current price books, supplier data, and labor modifiers
- Incorporating material volatility, labor availability, and escalation risk into estimates
- Validating estimates against historical job cost and profitability data
- Applying approved overhead, labor burden, and profit targets
- Escalating abnormal market conditions to Sales leadership
4. Sales Alignment & Pre-Bid Support
The Estimator is accountable for collaborating in a disciplined manner with Sales leadership and external stakeholders.
This includes accountability for:
- Participating in bid/no-bid and pricing strategy discussions
- Responding to GC inquiries, addenda, and clarification requests
- Supporting value engineering efforts without compromising margin or scope
- Ensuring all pre-award commitments are documented and approved
5. Project Handoff to Operations
The Estimator is accountable for a formal, standardized transition of awarded projects.
This includes accountability for delivering a complete handoff package consisting of:
- Final estimate summary
- Labor budgets and productivity assumptions
- Material pricing assumptions and supplier commitments
- Exclusions, clarifications, and scope qualifications
- Documented risk items and constraints
Experience
- Minimum 8 years of commercial Plumbing or HVAC experience, including estimating
- Demonstrated success in estimating complex commercial construction projects
Knowledge
- Commercial Plumbing systems, HVAC systems, and construction means and methods
- Job costing, labor productivity, and market pricing dynamics
- Competitive, negotiated, and alternative delivery bid environments
Skills
- High analytical rigor and attention to detail
- Independent judgment under deadline pressure
- Clear written and verbal communication
- Ability to enforce discipline without positional authority