Commercial Estimator

Job Summary

Maas Verde Landscape Restoration (Maas Verde) is a landscape design-build company that works on Residential, Commercial, Government, and landowner projects, operating primarily in Central Texas.  Our services include construction, carpentry, earthwork, tree trimming & removal, erosion control & management, irrigation, maintenance, stream restoration, masonry, planting, lighting, steel fabrication, stormwater management, and vegetation management.  Maas Verde aspires to lead the landscape and construction industry into an ecologically conscious paradigm.  Our highest priority is to deliver functional landscapes that meet each client’s unique needs.

The Commercial Estimator’s primary function is to prepare accurate, competitive, and profitable cost estimates for commercial landscape and exterior improvement projects.  This individual should be a motivated self-starter with excellent mathematical, analytical, organizational, and communication skills, as well as having experience in estimating, construction, landscape architecture, engineering, project management, and/or other related fields.  The ideal candidate has exceptional attention to detail, a deep experience and understanding of construction, landscaping, earthwork/grading, and/or related trades and thrives in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Maas Verde is a growing company that has more than doubled our headcount over the last year.  The successful candidate will be proactive, ready to serve enthusiastically, flexible, and able to think outside of the box in this fast-paced environment.  

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Review plans, specifications, and bid documents for commercial landscape and exterior improvement projects

• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs for materials, labor, equipment, and subcontracted work

• Develop accurate cost estimates for landscape installation, irrigation systems, hardscape, site furnishings, earthwork, and grading

• Solicit and evaluate subcontractor and supplier pricing

• Identify value engineering opportunities and cost-saving strategies

• Prepare bid proposals, scope letters, and pricing breakdowns

• Collaborate with project managers, operations, and field teams to ensure estimate accuracy and smooth project handoff

• Attend pre-bid meetings and site visits as required

• Maintain organized records of estimates, vendor quotes, and historical cost data

• Analyze project risks and incorporate contingencies where appropriate

• Actively participates in weekly sales team meeting

• Actively searching automatic solicitation emails from Building Connected, Construct Connect, CivCast, City of Austin finance website (and any other relevant databases) to keep the Commercial Estimating pipeline full

• Keeping up with industry pricing changes and market-wide unit costs

Qualifications

The successful candidate should meet the following qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree or relevant experience in construction estimating, construction science and management, project management, and/or landscape architecture is required

• 5 years’ experience in landscaping, construction, and/or related trade estimating is required

• Understanding of construction, engineering, and landscape architecture is required

• Advanced proficiency in MS Excel is required

• Experience reading, interpreting, and understanding construction plans and specifications is required

• Experience with LMN strongly preferred (but not required, we will train the right person)

• Experience with Bluebeam or similar takeoff software preferred

• Irrigation experience and / or certifications will be strongly considered

• Work experience demonstrating strong analytical, mathematical, and interpersonal skills is required

• Work experience thriving in a fast-paced team environment is required

• Working experience exhibiting superior written communication and presentation skills is required

• An ability to analyze data and present findings is required

• Able to multitask and demonstrate a commonsense approach to problem solving is required

• Work experience exhibiting effective written and oral communication skills with colleagues and customers at all levels within the organization is required

• Ability to demonstrate initiative and effective time management skills to develop knowledge and skills necessary to fulfill job responsibilities in an independent and thorough manner is required

• Ability to develop good working relationships with colleagues and customers is required

• Ability to effectively prioritize and manage time when juggling multiple estimates

Primary Location: Maas Verde Office in Southwest Austin (Hybrid available after 90 days)

Secondary Location: Pre-Bid Meetings and Job Site Visits

Shift: Day Job

Travel: Yes, mostly local