What are the responsibilities and job description for the Civil Estimator position at WA Underground inc.?
Company: WA Underground Inc.
Location: Western Washington (Puget Sound / South Sound region) – Hybrid/Field-Office based
Position: Heavy Civil Construction Estimator (Earthwork & Site Development)
Type: Full-Time | Competitive Salary Benefits Performance Incentives
About WA Underground Inc.
We are a growing, self-performing heavy civil / dirt contractor specializing in complete site development and earthwork packages for residential housing developments and land development projects across Western Washington. We handle grading, excavation, utilities, roads, drainage, and all related civil work for production homebuilders and developers.
We pride ourselves on high-quality self-performed work, competitive bidding, and building strong, long-term relationships with our clients.
The Opportunity
We are looking for an experienced Heavy Civil Construction Estimator to join our team and help us continue winning profitable earthwork and site development subcontracts. This is a key role with direct impact on our growth.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare detailed, competitive bids for earthwork, grading, excavation, utilities, and full civil/site packages.
- Analyze project plans, specifications, and geotechnical reports to develop accurate quantity takeoffs and cost estimates.
- Build and maintain strong subcontractor and supplier relationships for pricing.
- Develop comprehensive proposal documents, including detailed scopes, exclusions, clarifications, and schedules.
- Review and negotiate subcontract agreements from the subcontractor perspective (retainage, payment terms, risk allocation, etc.).
- Work closely with field operations and project management to ensure estimates align with actual production and site conditions.
- Track bid results, update historical cost data, and continuously improve estimating accuracy.
Qualifications
- 5 years of estimating experience in heavy civil construction, with strong focus on earthwork, site development, or utilities.
- Proficiency with estimating software (HeavyBid, Bid2Win, or similar) and takeoff tools (Bluebeam, Agtek, or equivalent).
- Solid understanding of Washington State construction practices, local soil conditions, and production homebuilder project requirements.
- Strong attention to detail, analytical skills, and ability to work under tight bid deadlines.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Local candidates preferred (Western WA experience is a big plus).
Salary : $130,000 - $150,000