Senior Estimator – Asphalt Paving & Site Construction

About the Company

About Gator Paving CompanyGator Paving Company is an established Virginia asphalt paving and site construction contractor serving commercial, municipal, state, and private-sector clients throughout the region. Since 1997, we have built our reputation on quality workmanship, competitive pricing, strong customer relationships, and the ability to successfully manage projects from initial estimate through final completion. Our work includes asphalt paving and resurfacing, milling, pavement repairs, concrete curb and sidewalk, ADA improvements, drainage, striping, and related site work.

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Senior Estimator who understands asphalt paving and site construction and can take ownership of the estimating process from the initial opportunity through contract award and project handoff. The Senior Estimator will be responsible for preparing accurate and competitive estimates for commercial, municipal, VDOT, and private paving and site construction projects. This position requires someone who can read plans and specifications, perform quantity takeoffs, understand field production, obtain subcontractor and supplier pricing, evaluate project risks, and develop complete estimates that reflect the actual cost of performing the work. The ideal candidate understands that successful estimating is more than putting numbers on a spreadsheet. It requires understanding how the project will actually be built.

Responsibilities

• Manage estimates from initial bid invitation through final submission.
• Review plans, specifications, addenda, contracts, and other bid documents.
• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs for asphalt, milling, stone, concrete, excavation, drainage, striping, and related work.
• Visit project sites to evaluate existing conditions, access, staging, traffic control requirements, production limitations, and potential risks.
• Develop project-specific labor, equipment, material, trucking, and subcontractor costs.
• Obtain and evaluate pricing from asphalt plants, material suppliers, subcontractors, trucking companies, and vendors.
• Develop realistic production rates based on project conditions and historical company performance.
• Prepare estimates for commercial, municipal, VDOT, and other public-sector projects.
• Identify potential scope gaps, conflicts, unusual specifications, and project risks before bid submission.
• Prepare bid forms, proposals, qualifications, exclusions, and clarifications.
• Review final estimates for accuracy and completeness before submission.
• Maintain and utilize historical job-cost and production information when preparing future estimates.
• Assist with project scheduling and anticipated manpower and equipment requirements.
• Coordinate with operations personnel to ensure estimates reflect realistic field conditions and production capabilities.
• Participate in pre-bid meetings and project site visits.
• Communicate with owners, general contractors, engineers, suppliers, subcontractors, and government agencies as necessary during the bidding process.
• Assist with negotiated projects, change-order pricing, and additional work proposals.
• Track upcoming bid opportunities and help prioritize projects that fit Gator Paving's capabilities and goals.
• Provide a thorough turnover of awarded projects to the operations/project management team.
• Mentor and assist other estimating personnel as needed.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience estimating asphalt paving, roadway, site construction, or heavy civil projects.
• Strong knowledge of asphalt paving, milling, excavation, stone placement, concrete, drainage, traffic control, and related construction activities.
• Ability to read and interpret construction plans, specifications, contracts, and bid documents.
• Strong understanding of labor, equipment, trucking, material costs, and construction production rates.
• Experience preparing both competitive-bid and negotiated estimates.
• Experience with municipal, state, VDOT, commercial, or other public-sector projects preferred.
• Strong computer and estimating software skills.
• Experience with HCSS HeavyBid or similar estimating software is a plus.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple bids and deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to identify project risks and make sound estimating decisions.
• Ability to work independently while also collaborating closely with management and field operations.
• Supervisory or estimating-team leadership experience is preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Business, or a related field is preferred; significant relevant industry experience may be considered in place of a degree.

Required Skills

• Understands asphalt paving and site construction and can take ownership of the estimating process from the initial opportunity through contract award and project handoff.
• Can read plans and specifications, perform quantity takeoffs, understand field production, obtain subcontractor and supplier pricing, evaluate project risks, and develop complete estimates that reflect the actual cost of performing the work.
• Understands that successful estimating is more than putting numbers on a spreadsheet and requires understanding how the project will actually be built.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with municipal, state, VDOT, commercial, or other public-sector projects.
• Experience with HCSS HeavyBid or similar estimating software.
• Supervisory or estimating-team leadership experience.
• Thorough, competitive, and willing to take ownership of their estimates—not simply complete takeoffs.
• Understands the paving business from both the office and field perspective.
• Understands that two projects with the same quantities can have very different costs depending on trucking, access, phasing, traffic control, asphalt plant location, crew production, night work, mobilization, and site conditions.

Pay range and compensation package

We offer a professional environment, competitive compensation, and an opportunity for an experienced estimator to become an important part of a well-established and growing paving company.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Gator Paving Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer.