What are the responsibilities and job description for the Residential Estimator position at Leola Construction?
Houston, Texas
Leola Construction builds residential projects from the ground up — real job sites, real crews, and real craftsmanship. We're growing our Houston operations and looking for a detail-driven estimator who can turn a set of plans into an accurate, competitive bid, and who takes pride in getting the numbers right the first time.
About The Role
The Residential Estimator is responsible for preparing accurate, timely cost estimates for Leola Construction's production residential projects in the Houston market. This role takes plans from quantity takeoff through a finished bid, with a focus on foundation and framing scopes, and works closely with purchasing, project managers, and subcontractors to keep estimates grounded in real field costs. The ideal candidate has hands-on estimating experience with production homebuilders, preferably with a background in foundation and/or frame estimating, and is comfortable with Houston-specific soil, code, and permitting conditions.
Here’s What You Get To Do
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
- Full-Time
- Exempt
Leola Construction builds residential projects from the ground up — real job sites, real crews, and real craftsmanship. We're growing our Houston operations and looking for a detail-driven estimator who can turn a set of plans into an accurate, competitive bid, and who takes pride in getting the numbers right the first time.
About The Role
The Residential Estimator is responsible for preparing accurate, timely cost estimates for Leola Construction's production residential projects in the Houston market. This role takes plans from quantity takeoff through a finished bid, with a focus on foundation and framing scopes, and works closely with purchasing, project managers, and subcontractors to keep estimates grounded in real field costs. The ideal candidate has hands-on estimating experience with production homebuilders, preferably with a background in foundation and/or frame estimating, and is comfortable with Houston-specific soil, code, and permitting conditions.
Here’s What You Get To Do
- Prepare detailed, accurate cost estimates for residential projects throughout the Houston market, with emphasis on foundation and/or framing packages for production homes.
- Perform quantity takeoffs from architectural and structural plans for concrete foundations, framing, and related scopes.
- Analyze blueprints, specifications, and site conditions to develop complete, well-documented estimates.
- Solicit, compare, and evaluate pricing from subcontractors, suppliers, and vendors to ensure estimates are competitive and accurate.
- Monitor material and labor cost trends in the Houston market and adjust estimates and unit costs accordingly.
- Partner with project managers, superintendents, and purchasing to reconcile estimated costs against actual field costs and refine future bids.
- Maintain and update unit cost databases, historical cost data, and estimating templates for the Houston market.
- Participate in bid walks, pre-bid meetings, and plan reviews.
- Identify value-engineering opportunities and cost-saving alternatives without compromising quality or code compliance.
- Support contract negotiations and scope reviews with subcontractors.
- Track plan and option changes across production home series and update estimates to match.
- Account for Houston-specific conditions — expansive clay soils, foundation engineering requirements, permitting, and local code — in every estimate.
- Assist with bid tabulation, change order pricing, and reconciliation of actual vs. estimated costs.
- 3-5 years of experience in residential construction estimating, preferably with a production homebuilder.
- Experience estimating foundation and/or frame packages for production residential homes strongly preferred.
- Strong plan-reading and quantity takeoff skills across foundations, framing, and related structural scopes.
- Familiarity with Houston-area soil conditions (expansive clay), foundation engineering requirements, and local building codes.
- Proficiency with estimating and takeoff software (e.g., On-Screen Takeoff, PlanSwift, Bluebeam, Buildpro) and strong Excel skills.
- Established relationships with, or ability to build relationships with, Houston-area subcontractors and suppliers.
- Excellent analytical, organizational, and written/verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple estimates and bid deadlines simultaneously.
- Bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering, or a related field preferred, or equivalent hands-on experience.
- Primarily an office-based role with regular plan review and desk-based takeoff work.
- Periodic visits to active residential job sites throughout the Houston metro area to verify field conditions and measurements.
- Able to walk active construction sites, including uneven or unfinished terrain, as needed.
- Able to sit or stand for extended periods while reviewing plans and preparing estimates.
- Discretionary bonus opportunity
- 3 weeks of PTO
- 7 paid holidays | 4 Floating Holidays
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.