Construction Estimator

Location 

Phoenix, AZ  

Department 

Estimating 

Reports To 

Owner 

Direct Reports 

None 

Employment Type 

Full-Time 

Compensation 

$80K–$95K 

WHO WE ARE 

CEC is Arizona's largest playground construction company — built from the ground up by the people who actually do the work. We're installer-driven, heart-first, and proud of it. Thousands of projects in, we're entering our next chapter: bringing in experienced team members to help scale what we've built. 

What we build at the end of the day is a place where kids play. If that matters to you — and you want your work to carry real weight inside a company with genuine roots — this is the role for you. 

THE OPPORTUNITY 

We're hiring an Estimator to develop accurate, competitive construction bids and support our pre-construction process. This is a high-impact role: your takeoffs, scope reviews, and pricing directly influence which projects we win, what margin we protect, and how efficiently our crews can execute in the field. 

You'll bring structure, accuracy, and strong construction intuition to an estimating function that's ready to keep growing. You'll help build consistent estimating habits, sharpen bid documentation, and partner closely with operations to turn good numbers into successful projects. 

WHAT YOU'LL OWN 

Estimating Execution 

• Prepare detailed estimates and support bid development from initial review through submission 
• Review pricing inputs for accuracy, completeness, and alignment with bid requirements before submission 
• Use and help improve standardized estimating templates, unit cost libraries, and bid checklists 
• Develop pattern recognition across project types — playgrounds, site amenities, shade structures — to price accurately and efficiently 

Bid Development & Accuracy 

• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs from construction drawings, specs, and RFPs 
• Analyze scope documents for inclusions, exclusions, and risk items before pricing 
• Apply historical bid data and field cost actuals to calibrate future estimates 
• Coordinate with field superintendents and operations to validate labor and logistics assumptions 
• Identify scope gaps, alternates, and value-engineering opportunities to sharpen our competitive position 

Process & Organization 

• Maintain a disciplined bid calendar and ensure on-time submission for all active opportunities 
• Log and track all bids, outcomes, and win/loss trends in the estimating system 
• Participate in structured bid reviews, scope clarification protocols, and post-award handoffs to project management 
• Maintain clear organization and documentation standards across assigned estimates 

Collaboration & Handoff 

• Collaborate with ownership, field superintendents, project managers, vendors, and subcontractors to confirm scope and pricing assumptions 
• Communicate bid assumptions, exclusions, alternates, and risk items clearly before submission 
• Prepare clear handoff notes so project teams understand the estimate, scope, and pricing logic 
• Contribute ideas that improve estimating speed, accuracy, and consistency 

WHAT MAKES YOU A FIT 

Non-Negotiables 

• 2 years of construction estimating experience, preferably in commercial, civil, landscape, playground, site amenities, or specialty construction 
• Demonstrated ability to read and interpret construction drawings, specifications, and bid documents 
• Hands-on experience with quantity takeoffs and unit cost pricing 
• Proficiency with takeoff software (e.g., Bluebeam, ProEst, Sage Estimating, or similar) 
• Proficiency with Excel 
• Exceptional attention to detail and zero tolerance for sloppy numbers 

Strongly Preferred 

• Background in construction estimating  
• Experience coordinating with field teams, vendors, subcontractors, or project managers during the bid process 
• Familiarity with public agency procurement (municipalities, schools, parks departments) 
• Working knowledge of Procore, Building Connected or similar project management platforms 
• Experience with prevailing wage and public works bidding  

Who You Are 

• Process-driven — you don't estimate from gut alone; you follow disciplined systems and help improve them 
• Pattern-recognition thinker — you're building the judgment to know when a number is off and you verify before submitting 
• Organized and deadline-oriented — bid calendars and assigned deliverables don't slip on your watch 
• A communicator — you can translate a bid into a story for the owner and a handoff document for the field 
• A builder — you want to help leave the estimating function better than you found it 

KEY COMPETENCIES 

Process & Systems Thinking · Construction Pattern Recognition · Bid Accuracy & Quality Control · Attention to Detail · Team Leadership & Coaching · Scope Reading & Risk Analysis · Deadline Management · Cross-Functional Communication · Continuous Improvement

WHAT CEC OFFERS 

• Competitive base salary benchmarked to Arizona market performance bonus 
• A company where your decisions carry real weight — not layers of bureaucracy 
• A culture built by people who do the work, not just manage it 
• Visibility to ownership and the ability to shape how we grow 
• A mission you can see at the end of every project: a place where kids play