Estimator

About Level 3 Construction

Level 3 Construction, Inc. is a growing commercial general contractor based in North County San Diego. We specialize in hospitality renovations, ground-up multifamily, affordable housing, senior housing, student housing, mixed-use, and commercial projects throughout California.

We are building a company that scales with discipline — strong systems, clear communication, and great people. Our goal is not simply to grow revenue; it is to be known for accuracy, accountability, quality, and predictable execution. We use technology, process improvement, and automation to better serve our clients, subcontractors, consultants, and employees.

The Role

The Estimator supports the development of accurate, complete, and timely estimates, budgets, and proposals for private commercial projects ranging from smaller renovations to projects up to approximately $25 million.

You will review plans and specifications, perform quantity takeoffs, solicit and level subcontractor pricing, identify scope gaps and risks, generate RFIs, and help ensure Level 3 remains a responsive, competitive bidder. Estimating here is not just pricing plans — it is understanding scope, identifying risk, building trade coverage, and helping the company win the right work.

This role exists to drive four outcomes:

1.      Estimate Accuracy — Estimates are complete, organized, and supported by real scope understanding.

2.      Bid Responsiveness — Budgets, RFIs, pricing updates, and proposals are completed on time.

3.      Trade Coverage — Subcontractor participation is strong, competitive, and properly tracked.

4.      Risk Control — Scope gaps, exclusions, conflicts, and pricing risks are identified before bid submission.

Key Responsibilities

Estimating and Takeoffs

•  Review drawings, specifications, addenda, bid instructions, consultant reports, and site information to understand full project scope.
•  Perform and document quantity takeoffs for assigned trades.
•  Assist in preparing conceptual budgets, schematic and design development estimates, GMP estimates, hard bids, and final proposal pricing.
• Maintain organized estimate backup: takeoffs, subcontractor proposals, vendor quotes, assumptions, allowances, and exclusions.

Plan Review and Risk Identification

• Review all discipline drawings (architectural through MEP and specialty) to identify scope requirements, conflicts, and constructability concerns.
• Identify scope gaps, overlaps, exclusions, double-ups, and pricing risks before bid submission.
• Generate RFIs to clarify bid documents and reduce pricing uncertainty.
• Confirm proposal deliverables, due dates, alternates, forms, and submission requirements.

Subcontractor Solicitation and Bid Leveling

• Solicit subcontractor and vendor pricing; prepare and distribute bid invitations, documents, and addenda.
• Track and improve bid coverage by CSI division and trade; follow up to confirm bidding status.
• Level subcontractor proposals against plans, specs, scope requirements, and competing bids.
• Prepare bid tabs, scope comparison sheets, and trade summaries for internal review.
• Build and maintain professional subcontractor and vendor relationships, and keep the subcontractor database current.

Value Engineering and Proposal Support

• Analyze alternative materials, systems, and methods to improve value and competitiveness.
• Help prepare written inclusions, exclusions, clarifications, alternates, and qualifications.
• Confirm all addenda, RFIs, and document revisions are incorporated before submission.
• Support bid-day activities: quote reviews, pricing updates, and internal coordination.

Handoff and Continuous Improvement

• Prepare estimate handoff packages and communicate scope assumptions, coverage, allowances, and risk items to Project Management and Field Operations.
• Participate in lessons-learned reviews to improve future estimates and handoffs.
• Help improve estimating templates, bid leveling tools, scope sheets, tracking systems, and historical cost data.

What Success Looks Like

• A successful Estimator at Level 3 Construction will:
• Produce accurate, organized, and well-supported estimates.
• Complete takeoffs and assigned estimating tasks on time.
• Help increase subcontractor coverage and bid competitiveness.
• Identify scope gaps, exclusions, conflicts, and risks before bid submission.
• Maintain clean estimate backup and organized bid files.
• Communicate clearly with subcontractors, vendors, internal team members, and field operations.
• Support strong bid reviews and clean project handoffs.
• Help improve estimating systems, templates, and preconstruction processes.
• Take ownership of assigned responsibilities without constant follow-up.
• Help Level 3 win the right work while protecting margin, quality, and client relationships.

Who Should Apply

You should apply if:

• You enjoy estimating and take pride in producing accurate, organized, and complete work.
• You are detail-oriented and naturally look for missing scope, drawing conflicts, exclusions, and risk.
• You understand that estimating is more than takeoffs — it requires communication, judgment, follow-up, and ownership.
• You are comfortable working with subcontractors, vendors, architects, consultants, project managers, and field teams.
• You like working in a fast-paced bid environment with deadlines and moving parts.
• You are organized and can manage multiple priorities without losing track of details.
• You ask good questions and are not afraid to raise concerns when something does not look right.
• You want to grow within a stronger preconstruction department.
• You are interested in helping improve systems, templates, processes, and trade coverage.
• You want to be part of a company that is building for long-term growth.

Who Should Not Apply

This role may not be the right fit if:

• You only want to perform takeoffs and do not want responsibility for scope, trade coverage, follow-up, or bid quality.
• You are not comfortable working under deadlines.
• You struggle with organization, documentation, or follow-through.
• You wait for others to identify problems instead of looking ahead and raising issues early.
• You are not comfortable communicating with subcontractors, vendors, and internal team members.
• You avoid accountability when details are missed.
• You do not like working in a team environment.
• You are resistant to using technology, systems, templates, and standardized processes.
• You prefer a role with very little change, growth, or process improvement.
• You are not interested in helping build a stronger preconstruction department.

What We Offer

At Level 3 Construction, high performers are given the opportunity to make a meaningful impact, take ownership of important responsibilities, and grow alongside a company with ambitious goals.

We believe in rewarding results, developing talented people from within, and creating an environment where employees can build long-term careers. The Estimator will have the opportunity to learn how construction projects are pursued, estimated, negotiated, awarded, and transitioned into operations.

Required Qualifications

• 3 years of construction estimating experience preferred.
• Commercial general contractor experience preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, specifications, addenda, consultant reports, and project requirements.
• Experience performing quantity takeoffs.
• Experience reviewing subcontractor and vendor proposals.
• Understanding of CSI divisions, trade scopes, construction sequencing, and subcontractor pricing.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Working knowledge of estimating software, takeoff software, and construction technology platforms.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Business Administration, or equivalent combination of technical training and related construction experience.
• Experience with hospitality renovation, multifamily, affordable housing, senior housing, student housing, mixed-use, or commercial construction.
• Experience with ProEst, Bluebeam, Procore, or similar construction software.
• Experience preparing bid tabs, scope comparison sheets, estimate summaries, and proposal clarifications.
• Experience supporting conceptual budgets, schematic estimates, design development estimates, GMP estimates, and hard bids.
• Experience participating in bid reviews, subcontractor scope reviews, and project handoff meetings.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Ability to identify missing scope, drawing conflicts, exclusions, pricing gaps, and project risks.
• Ability to organize estimate backup clearly and consistently.
• Ability to communicate professionally with subcontractors, vendors, clients, consultants, internal team members, and field operations.
• Ability to work independently while also contributing to a team environment.
• Ability to manage multiple bids, deadlines, and priorities.
• Understanding of construction principles, building systems, project delivery methods, and trade coordination.
• Positive attitude, strong work ethic, accountability, and willingness to learn.
• Commitment to continuous improvement, process development, and supporting the growth of Level 3 Construction.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary range: $100,000 –$165,000 per year
• Performance-based bonus opportunities
• Health benefits
• Paid time off
• 401(k)
• Career advancement opportunities
• Technology-driven work environment
• Training and professional development