Construction Estimator - Residential Custom Homes

Job Title: Construction Estimator & Take-Off Specialist

Experience Level: Mid-Level (5 years specialized in material take-offs)

About the Role

We are a well established residential builder looking for a highly precise, numbers-driven Estimator & Take-Off Specialist. You will be the foundation of our pre-construction phase.

Your primary mission is to transform 2D blueprints into exact, comprehensive material lists. While you will handle the subsequent procurement—negotiating with vendors, issuing POs, and protecting our budgets—your core strength must be the technical ability to perform flawlessly accurate material take-offs. If you love dissecting construction drawings, have a passion for precision, and hate the phrase "we didn't order enough," this role is for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Detailed Material Take-Offs (Primary Focus): Conduct highly accurate, line-item quantity take-offs from architectural and structural blueprints for all residential construction phases (lumber packages, drywall, roofing, siding, concrete, framing, and finishes).
• Waste & Yield Optimization: Calculate precise waste factors and material yields to ensure we order exactly what is needed—eliminating both costly site shortages and expensive material waste.
• Vendor Procurement & Negotiation: Use your completed take-offs to solicit competitive bids. Negotiate pricing, delivery schedules, and contract terms with material suppliers and trade partners.
• Purchase Order (PO) Management: Convert verified take-offs into accurate, detailed Purchase Orders. Ensure POs are issued with locked-in pricing and explicit material descriptions before production begins.
• Budget Compliance & Variance Auditing: Establish the baseline material budget for each project. Track field variances (VPOs) back to the original take-off to determine if discrepancies were caused by framing errors, vendor overcharges, or estimating gaps.
• Database Management: Keep our estimating software and cost database updated with current material pricing, structural assemblies, and regional conversion factors.

Qualifications & Skills

• Experience: 5 years of dedicated experience performing material take-offs specifically for residential construction (custom homes, production housing, or major renovations).
• Blueprint Mastery: Elite ability to read and interpret complex architectural blueprints, structural engineering plans, foundation layouts, and truss details.
• Estimating Software Expertise: Advanced proficiency with digital take-off software (e.g., Stack, PlanSwift, Clear Estimates) and a strong command of Excel.
• Construction Knowledge: Deep, practical understanding of residential building methods and framing assemblies. You must know how a house goes together to accurately estimate the materials required.
• Analytical Mindset: Exceptional mathematical skills and a hyper-focus on detail. A missing zero or a miscalculated scale can cost thousands—you are the line of defense against those errors.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary $70,000 - $90,000
• Performance bonuses based on take-off accuracy and budget preservation
• Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays
• A focused, professional office environment with modern estimating tools and software

Pay: $70,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person

Salary : $70,000 - $90,000