HVAC Plumbing Estimator

The Role

The Senior Estimator is responsible for all aspects of estimating the most complex and large-scale jobs, including pre-construction, hard bids, negotiated bids, budgets, general conditions, systems studies and comparisons, value engineering, subcontractor relations and staying abreast of industry developments applicable to estimating.

The Mechanical Estimator is responsible for all aspects of mechanical, plumbing, and fire protection estimating including pre-construction, hard bids, negotiated bids, budgets, systems studies and comparisons, value engineering, subcontractor relations and staying abreast of industry developments applicable to estimating.

• Comprehensive MEP Estimating Expertise
  Develop detailed cost estimates for HVAC and plumbing systems within large-scale ground-up projects ($50M–$300M), ensuring alignment with overall mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) scopes.
• Preconstruction and Value Engineering
  Collaborate with design teams and trade partners to analyze drawings, specifications, and project requirements; provide cost-saving alternatives and constructability reviews for HVAC and plumbing systems.
• Large Project Sector Focus
  Specialize in estimating for complex commercial, higher education, and life sciences projects, including advanced HVAC systems and plumbing infrastructure for high-performance buildings.
• Vendor and Subcontractor Management
  Solicit, review, and negotiate bids from HVAC and plumbing subcontractors; maintain strong relationships with trade partners to ensure competitive pricing and quality execution.
• Integration with Overall Project Delivery
  Work closely with project managers and other estimators to integrate HVAC and plumbing estimates into full project budgets, schedules, and risk assessments for large-scale general contracting projects.

• Unit Cost Pricing
  • Clearly understand the complexity of the scope of work as shown on the construction documents.
  • Prepare detailed take off of materials.
  • Prepare detailed labor estimates utilizing man-hours, crews and equipment.
  • Organize the material and labor information for pricing.
  • Solicit material prices from suppliers.
  • Obtain current labor rates.
  • Prepare unit prices by  Building the Project in your Head.
  • Verify and compare your unit prices or the price of a system with a subcontractor and previous similar estimates.
  • Review all unit pricing on projects prepared by the Mechanical/Electrical Estimator. Make changes as required.
  • Understand the influence of market conditions on pricing.
  • Track all current market conditions.
  • Develop mechanical estimating database line items, unit costs, systems and assemblies, templates and wizards to prepare accurate mechanical estimates.
  • Develop historical data base for Mechanical/Electrical work.

• Subcontractor Solicitation & Selection
  • Prepare subcontractor list from PDM program or manually.
  • Prepare subcontractor bid packages including transmittals, drawings and specifications.
  • Follow up with subs regarding bidding and update the subcontractor list.
  • Prepare scope sheets for subcontractors, and review scope of work.
  • Review all subcontractor information prepared by the Mechanical/Electrical Estimator. Make changes as required.
  • Verify subcontractor coverage.
  • Edit subcontractor list.

• Subcontractor Relationships & Feedback
  • Keep Subcontractors up to date with project information and addenda during the bidding process.
  • Maintain excellent relationships with subcontractors in order to receive preferential bids.
  • Answer subcontractor questions.
  • Prepare RFI's to the design team.
  • Contact key subs during bidding for scope of work issues, qualifications, and to obtain information about the project which could give SCCI a competitive advantage.

• Preconstruction Abilities
  • Identify the information required in pre-construction for pricing of estimates.
  • Set up and facilitate pre-construction workshops; coordinate information with consultants.
  • Represent SCCI at pre-construction meetings.
  • Outline the guidelines for conceptual, SD, DD, CD, and GMP estimating.
  • Prepare Value Engineering.
  • Prepare qualifications and assumptions for the estimates.
  • Prepare estimate updates and reconciliations.
  • Know the proper use of allowances in…