What are the responsibilities and job description for the Commercial Construction Estimator position at Essex Construction?
Company Description
Essex Construction is a full-service commercial construction firm delivering high-quality building solutions across a wide range of project types. We specialize in ground-up construction, site development, and complex structural work, with a strong focus on execution, efficiency, and cost control.
Our team brings hands-on expertise in commercial projects including amenity centers, multi-family developments, hospitality, and specialty structures such as commercial pools and water features. By self-performing key trades and maintaining strong relationships with trusted subcontractors, we ensure tighter schedules, better quality control, and consistent project outcomes.
At Essex Construction, we take a practical, results-driven approach—prioritizing clear communication, proactive problem-solving, and disciplined project management from preconstruction through completion. Our clients rely on us to deliver projects on time, within budget, and built to perform in demanding environments.
Core Services:
- Ground-Up Commercial Construction
- Site Development & Infrastructure
- Structural & Concrete Construction
- Commercial Pools & Water Features
- Preconstruction & Value Engineering
- Project Management & Scheduling
Role Description
Own the estimating function for commercial projects from concept through award. This role is responsible for building competitive bids, developing subcontractor coverage, identifying scope gaps, and helping secure work.
Project Types
- Commercial pools & amenity centers
- Multi-family / HOA developments
- Sitework, hardscape, and related structures
Key Responsibilities
- Full bid ownership: plan review → takeoff → pricing → submission
- Develop and manage subcontractor/vendor coverage
- Level bids and identify scope gaps
- Perform value engineering to win projects without sacrificing margin
- Work directly with ownership on pricing strategy
- Build and maintain local subcontractor relationships
- Participate in post-bid negotiations and client discussions
- Maintain bid logs, cost history, and pricing database
Requirements
- 5–15 years commercial estimating experience
- Strong knowledge of Florida construction market pricing
- Existing subcontractor relationships in SW Florida
- Ability to read plans and specs in full (civil, structural, MEP awareness)
- Proven track record of winning work
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment
Compensation
- Base: Starting at $85,000 – $135,000 - DOE
- Bonus: % of gross profit on awarded jobs OR per-project bonus
- Additional upside tied directly to revenue won