Project Estimator

Forge Industrial is looking for a Project Estimator to join our team.

We specialize in underground utility and civil construction, with much of our work focused on waterline installation, excavation, and related infrastructure projects.

We’re looking for someone who understands construction and wants to take ownership of the estimating process. The right person will help us identify opportunities, perform takeoffs, develop accurate project costs, coordinate supplier and subcontractor pricing, and help transition awarded projects from estimating into construction.

This is a good opportunity for an experienced estimator, project engineer/coordinator, or someone with strong underground utility construction experience who wants to move into estimating.

At Forge Industrial, how we work matters just as much as the work we perform. Our core values guide how we treat our team, our customers, and our projects:

• We Protect Each Other — Safety and looking out for the people around us come first.
• We Raise the Standard — We don’t settle for “good enough.” We look for ways to deliver better work and better results.
• We Own It — We take responsibility for our work, our decisions, and our results.
• We Master Our Craft — We continually improve our knowledge, skills, and understanding of the work we perform.
• We Are Respectful and Clean — We respect our coworkers, customers, job sites, equipment, and the communities where we work.
• We Outwork Yesterday — We challenge ourselves to improve every day and leave things better than we found them.

We’re looking for someone who can see themselves working by these values and contributing to a team that does the same.

• Review project plans, specifications, bid documents, and addenda
• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs for underground utility and civil projects
• Estimate pipe, fittings, valves, hydrants, excavation, bedding, backfill, surface restoration, and related work
• Develop labor, equipment, material, subcontractor, and other project costs
• Request, review, and organize pricing from suppliers and subcontractors
• Help establish realistic crew production rates and construction approaches
• Identify project risks, unusual conditions, and potential cost exposures
• Attend pre-bid meetings and project site walks as needed
• Prepare complete estimates for management review
• Assist with bid preparation and submission
• Maintain organized estimating files, historical costs, and pricing information
• Assist with project handoff after a successful bid
• Help with material procurement, change-order pricing, cost tracking, and project coordination as needed
• Compare estimated production and costs against actual project results to continuously improve future estimates

• Construction experience, preferably in underground utilities, excavation, water/wastewater, heavy civil, or similar work
• Estimating experience is preferred but not required for someone with strong relevant construction experience
• Ability to read and understand civil construction plans and specifications
• Understanding of how underground utility projects are actually constructed
• Strong math, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Comfortable working with spreadsheets and learning estimating/takeoff software
• Ability to communicate effectively with suppliers, subcontractors, project owners, engineers, and our field team
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple bid deadlines
• Detail-oriented while still understanding the overall construction approach and project risks

A college degree is not required. Relevant construction knowledge, estimating ability, and an understanding of how the work gets built are more important to us.

We aren’t looking for someone who simply performs takeoffs. We want someone who learns our operation and develops into a person who can take ownership of a bid from start to finish.

A successful estimator at Forge Industrial will be able to look at a project and answer:

• What will it take to build this?
• What crew and equipment will we need?
• How long should it take?
• What could go wrong?
• What is it realistically going to cost us?

Our goal is to build an estimating process based on accurate quantities, realistic production rates, historical project performance, and a strong understanding of field operations.

$75,000–$90,000 per year, depending on experience

Additional compensation and benefits may be available based on experience and company policies.

This position will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on how we pursue and execute projects. You’ll work closely with company leadership and our operations team, see how the projects you estimate actually perform in the field, and help improve our estimating process as the company grows.

We’re looking for someone who takes ownership, understands construction, and wants to grow with the company.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $75,000–$90,000 per year