Excavating Estimator

Senior Estimator – Heavy Civil / Earthwork / Excavating

Our client is a well-established, family-owned heavy civil construction and site development contractor with more than 60 years of experience serving commercial and industrial customers throughout Northern Indiana. With approximately 40 employees and annual revenues in the $15M–$20M range, the company specializes in earthwork, excavation, site development, underground utilities, and related civil construction. The organization has built a strong reputation through long-term customer relationships, a highly experienced team, and a culture that values teamwork, accountability, and developing employees from within.

About the Role

Day-to-Day Duties:

• The Senior Estimator will play a critical role in developing competitive, accurate estimates for commercial and industrial earthwork and site-development projects, working closely with senior leadership and the existing estimating team.
• This individual will be responsible for understanding the complete scope of each project, evaluating site conditions, developing quantities and costs, working with vendors and suppliers, and determining the most efficient approach to successfully win profitable work.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed estimates for commercial, industrial, and site-development projects generally ranging from $500K–$4M, with occasional projects exceeding $6M
• Perform and review dirt quantities, excavation quantities, and pipe takeoffs, utilizing project drawings, specifications, and site information
• Use Agtek, CAD, Excel, and drone/site technology to develop and validate estimates
• Review drawings and project information, including incomplete or evolving plans, and identify missing information, discrepancies, and potential cost impacts
• Work directly with pipe and material suppliers to obtain pricing and compare vendor takeoffs against in-house quantities
• Evaluate soil conditions, clay, dirt quantities, site conditions, materials, production requirements, and other factors that can significantly impact project costs
• Develop multiple approaches to determine the most efficient and competitive way to execute the work while protecting profitability
• Manage multiple estimates and strict bid deadlines, particularly during peak estimating seasons
• Revisit estimates as drawings, quantities, specifications, and project requirements change
• Selectively pursue projects rather than simply bidding every opportunity, using sound judgment to determine which projects are worth pursuing
• Collaborate with company leadership and the estimating team regarding bid strategy, project risk, pricing, and whether to pursue specific opportunities
• Participate in client, engineer, and job-site discussions when additional project information or clarification is needed
• Build strong relationships with customers, vendors, engineers, and other project stakeholders
• Bring practical field knowledge and construction judgment to estimating decisions rather than relying solely on estimating software
• Work toward becoming a key resource within the estimating department, with the potential to assume greater responsibility for estimating strategy and department leadership

Qualifications

Requirements:

• The ideal candidate will bring substantial hands-on construction experience combined with a strong background in heavy civil, earthwork, excavation, and site-development estimating.
• This is a specialized estimating position, and candidates whose backgrounds are primarily in building interiors, mechanical, electrical, painting, flooring, or other unrelated construction disciplines will not be a strong fit.
• 5–10 years of construction experience, with strong experience in heavy civil, earthwork, excavation, or site development
• Proven construction estimating experience involving commercial or industrial projects
• Strong understanding of dirt quantities, excavation, grading, underground utilities, and pipe takeoffs
• Prior field construction experience with a GC, developer, excavating contractor, or similar organization is strongly preferred
• Experience using professional estimating/takeoff software; Agtek experience is highly preferred
• Strong Excel skills, particularly experience building or working with detailed estimating spreadsheets and construction calculations
• Strong mathematical ability and attention to detail, including the ability to identify errors or inconsistencies even when using estimating software
• Ability to interpret construction drawings and specifications and recognize how site conditions affect cost and production
• Proven ability to work effectively under tight bid deadlines and significant estimating volume
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to evaluate incomplete drawings, changing information, and complex site conditions
• Competitive mindset and a genuine “hunter” mentality with the drive to find the most efficient and cost-effective approach to win work
• Comfortable communicating with customers, engineers, vendors, and internal leadership and confidently addressing design or constructability concerns
• Ability to remain flexible and revisit estimates multiple times as project information develops
• Strong interpersonal skills and an easygoing, team-oriented personality suited to a close-knit family business
• Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record required due to company insurance requirements

Required Skills

• Strong experience in heavy civil, earthwork, excavation, or site development
• Proven construction estimating experience involving commercial or industrial projects
• Strong understanding of dirt quantities, excavation, grading, underground utilities, and pipe takeoffs
• Experience using professional estimating/takeoff software
• Strong Excel skills with detailed estimating spreadsheets and construction calculations
• Strong mathematical ability and attention to detail
• Ability to interpret construction drawings and specifications
• Proven ability to work effectively under tight bid deadlines and significant estimating volume
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Competitive mindset and a genuine “hunter” mentality
• Comfortable communicating with customers, engineers, vendors, and internal leadership
• Ability to remain flexible and revisit estimates multiple times as project information develops
• Strong interpersonal skills and a team-oriented personality