What are the responsibilities and job description for the Project Estimator position at MSI General | DESIGNBUILD Commercial Construction?
We are seeking a Project Estimator to join our team. MSI General is one of the first fully integrated DESIGNBUILD construction firms in Wisconsin, with over 65 years of continuous profitability delivering excellence in design, estimating, and construction management.
The Project Estimator collaborates closely with our sales, design, construction, finance, and administrative teams to develop accurate and competitive cost estimates that reflect our Single Source Responsibility™ approach. This key role is responsible for managing multiple projects and coordinating the subcontractor bidding process to support successful project execution. With a strong attention to detail and advanced organizational skills, the Project Estimator negotiates project costs by soliciting, receiving, analyzing, and qualifying project bids from our subcontractors. This position requires knowledge of the construction trades, architecture, building codes, safety requirements, and varying construction costs.
This is a full-time, in-office (not remote) position.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee multiple projects at one time and retain detailed information regarding contracts, budget amounts, fee percentages, project requirements, general conditions, and scheduling
- Review project proposals and construction drawings
- Prepare budget and cost estimates and maintain project costs
- Implement value engineering through project scope, sequencing, and design evaluation
- Create bid instructions, select bidders, and execute the subcontractor bid process
Required Qualifications
- 5 years of construction management experience or a construction trade
- A degree and/or certification in construction management, civil engineering, or a related field
- Adept at reading blueprints and visualizing building projects
- Proficient in Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
- Valid driver’s license
Preferred Qualifications
- A bachelor’s degree in construction management, civil engineering, or a related field
- DESIGNBUILD, negotiated, conceptual, and/or hard-bid commercial construction estimating experience in southeast Wisconsin
- Current awareness of technology trends and business procedures
Additional Requirements
- Understand and implement owner and subcontractor change orders
- Evaluate and qualify subcontractor proposals
- Negotiate buyouts and extras with subcontractors
- Use appropriate sources to gather data, analyze data, ask questions when necessary, and troubleshoot to determine feasible construction solutions
- Meet project deadlines and adapt easily to changing demands
- Participate in weekly Estimating Team meetings and provide backup support
- Participate in quarterly performance conversations with the Director of Preconstruction
Compensation & Benefits
- Generous benefits package
- Corporate wellness program
- On-site fitness center
- Education or training assistance
- Team building activities & outings
MSI General’s Core Values
These five traits represent our company culture. It is expected that every team member embraces and demonstrates:
- Integrity – We hold ourselves and each other accountable to maintain the highest ethical standards.
- Commitment – We are engaged and passionate about our work and dedicated to our profession.
- Trust – We are honest, competent, and follow through on what we say.
- Passion – We are passionate about providing a unique DESIGNBUILD experience.
- Teamwork – We accomplish our best work as a collaborative team through accountability, communication, and respect.