Demo

Senior Estimator (Des Moines)

Turner Construction
West Des Moines, IA Full Time
POSTED ON 3/2/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 5/1/2026
Division: Des Moines Main
Project Location(s): West Des Moines, IA 50266 USA
Minimum Years Experience:
Travel Involved:
Job Type: Regular
Job Classification: Experienced
Education:
Job Family:Construction
Compensation:Salaried Exempt

If you picture yourself doing great things that make a difference in the lives of others, Turner is the place to be. Turner Construction is an industry leading commercial construction general contractor with a 120-year history spanning iconic projects around the globe, including 10 of the world's 100 tallest buildings. 

Turner’s rich Iowa history began with the construction of the iconic Hazen Water Tower in 1930 located at 48th and Hickman in Des Moines and continues today as Iowa’s leading General Contractor. Turner’s Des Moines office portfolio includes everything from healthcare, higher education, aviation, municipalities, commercial, sports, critical facilities, office building, and renovations. 

Turner is committed to sustaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment where everyone feels connected, sees themselves represented at all levels of the company, and feels supported to reach their ultimate potential. Turner builds some of the most ambitious projects in the world. The technical expertise of our people makes us a recognized leader in many markets. Our projects are well known. Our people set us apart. We inspire greatness. Can you picture yourself at Turner? If so, apply and let’s do great things together!

This is not a remote/hybrid position and will be based in a Turner office or project location.

Position Description: Supports the Lead Estimators and/or Preconstruction Manager in all estimating functions throughout the Launch process required during the preconstruction phase. Responsible for value engineering, budget controls, alternative and comparative studies, constructability reviews and Target Value Design. Responsible to ensure that estimates, bids and GMP’s are complete, accurate, and well supported by recent pricing data and subcontractor input.

Reports to: Preconstruction Manager or Regional Preconstruction Manager

Essential Duties & Responsibilities*:

  • Collaborate with Project Preconstruction Manager and Preconstruction Manager in estimating functions throughout preconstruction phase launch process.
  • Coordinate trade partner bid lists with procurement for budget pricing and bidding.
  • Lead review meetings with owner, architect, and engineer related to Preconstruction phase.
  • Prepare comparison analysis to previous estimates and develop clear and concise messages to explain variances for each project stakeholder.
  • Manage distribution of current design documents for trade partner budgeting and bidding; ensure account for sufficient trade partner input.
  • Review design documents for completion; assemble comments and requests for additional information needed to provide complete estimates.
  • Visit project sites to evaluate existing conditions, identify and capture scope not included in design documents.
  • Support Project Preconstruction Manager or Preconstruction Manager in set-up of estimate, estimate schedule, and responsibility matrix.
  • Perform quantity take-off, analysis, estimate, and studies for assigned trades and building systems.
  • Provide pricing for value engineering, alternates, options, and special studies.
  • Utilize Building Information Models (BIM) for quantity take-off and visualization to support complete estimate preparation.
  • Prepare trade partner bid proposal forms and bid recording sheets for assigned trades, evaluate trade partner input for scope inclusion, and identify scope gaps and overlaps, coordinate with other staff managing trades.
  • Ensure complete and accurate pricing within estimate or Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP), reflect recent pricing data and trade partner bids or budgets.
  • Participate in estimate review meetings with internal stakeholders to validate estimate prior to client delivery
  • Lead coordination of operational input during estimating, bidding, and GMP process; ensure estimate incorporates detailed General Conditions/Requirement (GC/GRs) study and site logistics and Building LIFE as prepared by Operations.
  • Develop, lead, or support assembly of estimate, bid or GMP documents required by and submitted to owner; coordinate requirements with contract agreement.
  • Active participation in estimate and GMP review meetings with architects, engineers, and owners. Incorporate comments, feedback, and input into revised estimates or GMP’s and assemble revised documents for final submission.
  • Take lead role or support role in Lump Sum bid process
  • Participate in hiring process, onboard and deliver timely performance feedback for direct reports, execute/contribute to performance appraisals during annual performance cycle, utilize talent management systems, and identify appropriate training to help with development needs.

#LI-DS1

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree from accredited degree program in Engineering, Construction Management, Building Construction or similar, and minimum of 8 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
  • Experience in project engineering, field supervision or purchasing
  • Building construction, materials, systems, market conditions, trade practices knowledge
  • Ability to read, understand and interpret contract documents, drawings, specifications, scopes of work and project schedule
  • Extensive knowledge of estimating documents and ability to provide accurate qualitative and quantitative analysis of documents
  • Conceptual ability, able to work with minimum information and quickly develop understanding of owner/architect requirements
  • Project management of competing demands, and meet established deadlines
  • Familiar with operating procedures and methods of other departments – Procurement, Operations
  • Supervisory or management experience
  • Professional verbal and written communication skills
  • Proficient computer skills and Microsoft Office suite of applications, and familiar with estimating software
  • Travel

     

    Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands, talk, and hear. The employee frequently views a computer monitor and frequently uses a computer keyboard. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee is occasionally required to be mobile, and the employee regularly travels both short and long distances via a variety of conveyances. The employee occasionally performs work on-site at construction work sites, office locations, and/or off-site venues. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

    Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an office setting. The noise in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate in an office setting. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally work at construction work sites where the employee is exposed to moving mechanical parts, high precarious places, fumes or airborne particles, outside weather conditions, and risk of electrical shock. The noise in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. The employee is required to work in compliance with company safety policies, procedures, and applicable laws.

    *May perform other duties as assigned. Where applicable, all activities will include disabled and veterans’ organizations.   

Turner is an Equal Opportunity Employer - race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or other characteristics protected by applicable law.

Salary.com Estimation for Senior Estimator (Des Moines) in West Des Moines, IA
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