What are the responsibilities and job description for the Construction Project Estimator position at Higley Construction?
About the Company – Celebrating 100 Years of Building Community
Higley Construction is one of the most experienced and respected construction firms in the region. This year, we proudly celebrate 100 years in business — a century defined by our unwavering dedication to our core values: people, ethics, respect, commitment, and excellence. Since 1925, we’ve helped our clients bring their goals and visions to life, always guided by honesty, integrity, and mutual respect.
At Higley Construction, we build more than buildings — we build trust, relationships, and communities. From the offices where you work, to the schools where you learn, and the hospitals where you heal, we create environments where people can live, work, and thrive. With every project, we go beyond bricks and mortar to connect people and place, delivering spaces that stand the test of time. We bring the same care and commitment to our team, offering a supportive, values-driven workplace where employees are empowered to grow, contribute, and succeed—both personally and professionally.
Position Overview:
We are looking for an experienced Senior Project Estimator or a seasoned Project Estimator looking to advance their career with a passion for construction to join our team. The Senior Project Estimator will have experience working in Preconstruction for a Commercial General Contractor/Construction Manager in construction markets that include Corporate, Healthcare, Education, Non-Profit, Assisted Living, Multi-family, Science and Research Facilities, Industrial and Manufacturing.
Responsibilities:
As part of your employment with Higley Construction, an initial pre-employment drug and alcohol test is required. This is followed by company-wide annual and random drug and alcohol testing for all employees for the duration of your employment. Higley Construction prohibits employees from being under the influence of substances such as drugs or alcohol during work hours. Higley Construction is dedicated to the Safety of all individuals in our offices and our job sites.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
The following outlines the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Activities:
This role may require climbing ladders and scaffolding, riding in mobile elevated work platforms at heights of up to 80 feet, and entering and working in confined or tight spaces. It involves remaining in a stationary position—standing or sitting—for extended periods, as well as frequent movement between tasks or worksites, including walking on snow-covered or icy surfaces. The position requires lifting or adjusting objects, including weights ranging from 30 to 50 pounds without difficulty, as well as performing repetitive motions involving the hands, wrists, or fingers. Use of hands and arms to handle tools, equipment, and materials is frequent, and tasks may involve operating spray test equipment, construction site tools, power tools, machinery, and heavy equipment. Employees must be able to wear fall protection gear and respiratory protection.
Environmental Conditions:
Work may take place in a variety of environmental conditions, including exposure to high and low temperatures, inclement weather such as rain, wind, and snow, and getting wet during specific tasks. The role may also involve working in dusty environments, areas with extreme noise, poor ventilation, and small or enclosed spaces. In some instances, no adverse environmental conditions are expected.
This list of job requirements is subject to change at any time due to the needs of the business.
Higley Construction is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Higley Construction is strongly committed to a workplace that is free of discrimination for all employees and candidates. It is the policy and practice that Higley Construction provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and candidates for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, sex, or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, religion, socio-economic status, age, disability, physical and mental ability, genetic information, service in the military, or any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to hiring, placement, promotion, demotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, and training.
Notice to Recruiters & Agencies: Higley Construction does not accept unsolicited resumes from Recruiters or Agencies. Do not send resumes to our jobs alias, website, or employees. We are not responsible for agency or recruiting fees unless we specifically request those services in writing and will treat unsolicited resumes as Higley Construction property.
Higley Construction is one of the most experienced and respected construction firms in the region. This year, we proudly celebrate 100 years in business — a century defined by our unwavering dedication to our core values: people, ethics, respect, commitment, and excellence. Since 1925, we’ve helped our clients bring their goals and visions to life, always guided by honesty, integrity, and mutual respect.
At Higley Construction, we build more than buildings — we build trust, relationships, and communities. From the offices where you work, to the schools where you learn, and the hospitals where you heal, we create environments where people can live, work, and thrive. With every project, we go beyond bricks and mortar to connect people and place, delivering spaces that stand the test of time. We bring the same care and commitment to our team, offering a supportive, values-driven workplace where employees are empowered to grow, contribute, and succeed—both personally and professionally.
Position Overview:
We are looking for an experienced Senior Project Estimator or a seasoned Project Estimator looking to advance their career with a passion for construction to join our team. The Senior Project Estimator will have experience working in Preconstruction for a Commercial General Contractor/Construction Manager in construction markets that include Corporate, Healthcare, Education, Non-Profit, Assisted Living, Multi-family, Science and Research Facilities, Industrial and Manufacturing.
Responsibilities:
- The Senior Project Estimator will work closely with the preconstruction team, taking the lead in producing Conceptual Estimates at the Schematic and Design Development level of design and forecasting costs for all General Trades in a variety of commercial and multi-family construction markets.
- Take the lead in all Lump Sum Competitive Bidding for select projects.
- This position requires a strong understanding and connection with the Subcontractor community in the office’s region, and the surrounding communities. Established relationships and the ability to establish relationships with Subcontractors is essential to success.
- You will be helping owners validate and manage their budget through the design process with the objective of determining a responsible subcontractor bid day cost.
- Perform quantity takeoff and pricing of all system components, inclusive of labor, material, and subcontractor overhead and profit.
- Use On-Screen Takeoff and Office Suite products to prepare estimates.
- Develop and maintain relationships with vendors and subcontractors to validate and confirm costs and unit costs.
- Assist the design team with value added suggestions and pricing exercises.
- Support the Project Managers with detailed scopes of work for bidding and post bid scope reviews with subcontractors.
- Review subcontractor bids and submittals for conformance with the specifications.
- Take the lead in communicating estimate and project details to the clients, architects, engineers, and project stakeholders.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
- No one can be a subject matter expert in all aspects of construction. We are looking for a candidate who has a passion for construction and can demonstrate they understand the sequence and techniques used in the construction industry.
- Higley Construction begins 80% of our Preconstruction Services at the Schematic Level of design. The successful candidate should be able to quantify all the designed components of the systems but also reasonably “fill in” the gaps and include cost allowances for the incomplete components of the systems.
- The ability to review and analyze plans and specifications.
- A thorough understanding of how the following systems are designed and constructed:
- Civil and sitework improvements
- Foundations – including deep foundation systems.
- Structural Systems – Steel, Concrete, Masonry and Cold Formed Framing
- Exterior Enclosure Systems – Masonry, Metal Panels, Curtainwall/Storefront, etc.
- Roofing Systems
- Interior Construction – non-load bearing partitions, demountable partitions, doors/frames/hardware, millwork, etc.
- Interior Finishes – all types of flooring, painting, ceiling systems, etc.
- Division 10 specialties
- A solid understanding of MEP systems is a plus.
- Working and cooperating within a team environment is required.
- A Self-starter with good time management skills is essential in this position.
- A plus if the candidate can produce a complete Conceptual Estimate from limited information.
- Candidates may have a diverse array of educational backgrounds and professional experiences if they have the required skills and abilities necessary for this position.
- Field installation experience and a working knowledge of construction systems are a plus.
- 25 days of Paid Time Off
- 9 Paid Holidays
- Health, Dental, & Vision Insurance
- Health/Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts
- 401k Contributions/Match
- Life Insurance/AD&D
- Employee Assistance Program
- Volunteer Time Off & Gift Match Program
- Paid Birthday Leave
- Paid Family Leave
- Short & Long Term Disability
- Years of Service Awards
- $1,500 Referral Bonus
- Capability for up to 16 hours / week of remote work.
- Casual Friday Policy
- Cell Phone Reimbursement
- Apparel Allowance
As part of your employment with Higley Construction, an initial pre-employment drug and alcohol test is required. This is followed by company-wide annual and random drug and alcohol testing for all employees for the duration of your employment. Higley Construction prohibits employees from being under the influence of substances such as drugs or alcohol during work hours. Higley Construction is dedicated to the Safety of all individuals in our offices and our job sites.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
The following outlines the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Activities:
This role may require climbing ladders and scaffolding, riding in mobile elevated work platforms at heights of up to 80 feet, and entering and working in confined or tight spaces. It involves remaining in a stationary position—standing or sitting—for extended periods, as well as frequent movement between tasks or worksites, including walking on snow-covered or icy surfaces. The position requires lifting or adjusting objects, including weights ranging from 30 to 50 pounds without difficulty, as well as performing repetitive motions involving the hands, wrists, or fingers. Use of hands and arms to handle tools, equipment, and materials is frequent, and tasks may involve operating spray test equipment, construction site tools, power tools, machinery, and heavy equipment. Employees must be able to wear fall protection gear and respiratory protection.
Environmental Conditions:
Work may take place in a variety of environmental conditions, including exposure to high and low temperatures, inclement weather such as rain, wind, and snow, and getting wet during specific tasks. The role may also involve working in dusty environments, areas with extreme noise, poor ventilation, and small or enclosed spaces. In some instances, no adverse environmental conditions are expected.
This list of job requirements is subject to change at any time due to the needs of the business.
Higley Construction is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Higley Construction is strongly committed to a workplace that is free of discrimination for all employees and candidates. It is the policy and practice that Higley Construction provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and candidates for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, sex, or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, religion, socio-economic status, age, disability, physical and mental ability, genetic information, service in the military, or any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to hiring, placement, promotion, demotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, and training.
Notice to Recruiters & Agencies: Higley Construction does not accept unsolicited resumes from Recruiters or Agencies. Do not send resumes to our jobs alias, website, or employees. We are not responsible for agency or recruiting fees unless we specifically request those services in writing and will treat unsolicited resumes as Higley Construction property.
