Estimator (Commercial HVAC and Plumbing)

About the Company

Our client is a Maine design-build-maintain mechanical contractor with more than 110 years in business. We provide commercial HVAC, plumbing, building controls, sheet metal, geothermal and roofing services to businesses, schools, municipalities and institutions across Maine and New Hampshire.

About the Role

Job title: Commercial Plumbing & HVAC Estimator Location: Portland, ME (On-site and in field) Employment type: Full-time Commercial Plumbing & HVAC Estimator | Portland, Maine | Full-Time, On-Site We’re hiring an experienced Commercial Plumbing & HVAC Estimator to own bids from invitation through award and turnover.

Responsibilities

• Review plans, specs and addenda for plumbing, HVAC, piping and sheet-metal scopes, and flag gaps and risks
• Perform digital takeoffs of ductwork, piping, fixtures, equipment, insulation, valves and controls interfaces
• Build complete estimates covering labor, material, equipment, subs, permits, general conditions, overhead and margin
• Apply accurate labor units, adjusting for occupied buildings, phasing, and prevailing wage or union/open-shop requirements
• Solicit, level and compare quotes from suppliers, equipment reps and subcontractors
• Prepare clear proposals with inclusions, exclusions, alternates and unit prices, and submit them on time
• Support design-build pricing and value engineering
• Attend pre-bid meetings and site walks, and manage RFIs and bid-day coordination with GCs and owners
• Maintain the bid log and GC relationships, and follow up on open proposals
• Hand off awarded projects to project management with a complete estimate package and buyout targets
• Price change orders and service/retrofit proposals
• Compare estimates to job-cost results to refine labor units and pricing databases

Qualifications

• 5 years of commercial mechanical estimating experience in plumbing and/or HVAC (both strongly preferred)

Required Skills

• Ability to read mechanical, plumbing, architectural and structural drawings and CSI Division 22 and 23 specs
• Working knowledge of RTUs, AHUs, VRF, boilers, chillers, heat pumps, geothermal, hydronic and steam piping, domestic water, sanitary, storm, gas and medical/specialty piping
• Familiarity with IMC, UPC/IPC and Maine/New Hampshire requirements
• Proficiency with takeoff and estimating software (Trimble/AutoBid, FastPIPE/FastDUCT, QuoteSoft, Accubid, Bluebeam, PlanSwift) and strong Excel skills
• Understanding of labor productivity, job costing, construction contracts and bid strategy
• Strong organization and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple bids under hard deadlines
• Clear communication with GCs, owners, engineers and vendors
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to job sites in Maine and New Hampshire

Preferred Skills

• Field background as a pipefitter, plumber, sheet-metal worker or HVAC technician
• Experience with design-build, energy retrofits, geothermal, building automation and public/prevailing-wage bidding
• Relationships with New England GCs, engineers and equipment reps
• ASPE Certified Professional Estimator (CPE) or progress toward it

Pay range and compensation package

• Compensation: 100-150k
• Reports to: [Operations Manager / Director of Estimating]
• Competitive salary based on experience, plus potential performance bonus
• Health, vision and AD&D insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and 10 paid holidays
• Company-supported training and a culture of promoting from within
• A stable, long-standing employer with a diverse commercial project mix

Work environment

Work environment: Primarily office-based in Portland, with regular visits to occupied buildings and active job sites (ladders, roofs, mechanical rooms, PPE required). Occasional extended hours around bid deadlines.