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.
As a 100% Employee-Owned Company, we foster a culture of shared success, job stability, and long-term financial growth for all employees. Within the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), you're building more than a career — you're building ownership.
Position Overview
Higley Construction is seeking a Project Estimator to support our preconstruction team by developing accurate and thorough estimates across a diverse range of commercial construction projects. The Project Estimator will work alongside senior estimators and preconstruction managers to quantify scope, analyze documents, and interact with subcontractors and vendors throughout the preconstruction process. This role involves exposure to both conceptual estimating and competitive bid environments, offering significant growth opportunities for those seeking to become subject matter experts.
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.
As a 100% Employee-Owned Company, we foster a culture of shared success, job stability, and long-term financial growth for all employees. Within the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), you're building more than a career — you're building ownership.
Position Overview
Higley Construction is seeking a Project Estimator to support our preconstruction team by developing accurate and thorough estimates across a diverse range of commercial construction projects. The Project Estimator will work alongside senior estimators and preconstruction managers to quantify scope, analyze documents, and interact with subcontractors and vendors throughout the preconstruction process. This role involves exposure to both conceptual estimating and competitive bid environments, offering significant growth opportunities for those seeking to become subject matter experts.
Responsibilities
- Support the development of design-phase estimates, including concept, schematic, design development, and construction document-level pricing.
- Assist in preparing detailed quantity takeoffs across a variety of CSI divisions.
- Help prepare bid packages and participate in competitive lump sum bid efforts, including, document management, invitations to bid, completion of front-end requirements, setting up bid forms, tracking RFIs, and analyzing subcontractor bids.
- Work closely with the project team to ensure scopes are comprehensive and aligned with drawings, specs, and project goals.
- Identify scope gaps or design omissions and flag potential cost, scope, or schedule risks for review.
- Collaborate with project teams to create and validate preliminary General Conditions based on project type and scale.
- Assist with the preparation of estimate clarifications, assumptions narratives, and deviation reports.
- Participate in the review of progress drawings and specifications for constructability and completeness.
- Work directly with vendors and subcontractors to obtain and validate pricing, product and labor availability, and unit costs.
- Attend internal and external meetings to present estimate data and discuss budget alignment and value opportunities.
- Conceptual estimating including contributing to scope definition by developing line-item breakdowns that reflect full project coverage, including anticipated items not shown on drawings.
- Maintain clean and consistent estimate formatting and documentation, including clear folder structures, backup, and audit trails.
- Communicate effectively with internal teams, owners, architects, and engineers regarding cost updates and estimate deliverables.
- Attend community, professional and company events
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
- Strong working knowledge of at least 4 CSI Divisions, with the ability and willingness to continue expanding expertise.
- Knowledge of construction assemblies and building systems including:
- Civil and sitework improvements
- Foundations, including deep foundations
- Structural Systems (Steel, Concrete, Masonry)
- Exterior Enclosure Systems (Masonry, Metal Panels, Curtainwall/Storefront)
- Roofing Systems
- Interior Construction and Finishes (walls, ceilings, flooring, doors, millwork)
- Division 10–14 Specialties
- Basic understanding of MEP systems is preferred (deeper knowledge is a plus)
- Ability to clearly interpret and review plans and specifications.
- Familiarity with estimating software and tools such as OST (On-Screen Takeoff), Bluebeam, Excel, and Office Suite.
- Time management and organizational skills, with the ability to meet deadlines.
- Self-motivated and capable of working both independently and collaboratively within a team.
- Good communication skills and comfort participating in project team meetings and discussions.
- Bachelor’s degree in construction management, engineering, architecture, or related field preferred (or equivalent industry experience).
- 5 years of estimating experience in a general contracting or construction management environment preferred.
- Experience with commercial project types such as interior fit-outs, ground-up buildings, healthcare, education, corporate, or multi-family is a plus.
- Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) – 100% Employee-Owned
- 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.
Salary : $1,500