Estimator, Construction, Quantity Surveyor

Level 3 Construction, Inc. is a growing commercial general contractor based in North County San Diego. We specialize in hospitality renovations, ground-up multifamily, affordable housing, senior housing, student housing, mixed-use, and commercial projects throughout California.

We are building a company that scales with discipline — strong systems, clear communication, and great people. Our goal is not simply to grow revenue; it is to be known for accuracy, accountability, quality, and predictable execution. We use technology, process improvement, and automation to better serve our clients, subcontractors, consultants, and employees.

The Estimator supports the development of accurate, complete, and timely estimates, budgets, and proposals for private commercial projects ranging from smaller renovations to projects up to approximately $25 million.

You will review plans and specifications, perform quantity takeoffs, solicit and level subcontractor pricing, identify scope gaps and risks, generate RFIs, and help ensure Level 3 remains a responsive, competitive bidder. Estimating here is not just pricing plans — it is understanding scope, identifying risk, building trade coverage, and helping the company win the right work.

This role exists to drive four outcomes:

• Estimate Accuracy — Estimates are complete, organized, and supported by real scope understanding.
• Bid Responsiveness — Budgets, RFIs, pricing updates, and proposals are completed on time.
• Trade Coverage — Subcontractor participation is strong, competitive, and properly tracked.
• Risk Control — Scope gaps, exclusions, conflicts, and pricing risks are identified before bid submission.

• Review drawings, specifications, addenda, bid instructions, consultant reports, and site information to understand full project scope.
• Perform and document quantity takeoffs for assigned trades.
• Assist in preparing conceptual budgets, schematic and design development estimates, GMP estimates, hard bids, and final proposal pricing.
• Maintain organized estimate backup: takeoffs, subcontractor proposals, vendor quotes, assumptions, allowances, and exclusions.

• Review all discipline drawings (architectural through MEP and specialty) to identify scope requirements, conflicts, and constructability concerns.
• Identify scope gaps, overlaps, exclusions, double-ups, and pricing risks before bid submission.
• Generate RFIs to clarify bid documents and reduce pricing uncertainty.
• Confirm proposal deliverables, due dates, alternates, forms, and submission requirements.

• Solicit subcontractor and vendor pricing; prepare and distribute bid invitations, documents, and addenda.
• Track and improve bid coverage by CSI division and trade; follow up to confirm bidding status.
• Level subcontractor proposals against plans, specs, scope requirements, and competing bids.
• Prepare bid tabs, scope comparison sheets, and trade summaries for internal review.
• Build and maintain professional subcontractor and vendor relationships, and keep the subcontractor database current.

• Analyze alternative materials, systems, and methods to improve value and competitiveness.
• Help prepare written inclusions, exclusions, clarifications, alternates, and qualifications.
• Confirm all addenda, RFIs, and document revisions are incorporated before submission.
• Support bid-day activities: quote reviews, pricing updates, and internal coordination.

• Prepare estimate handoff packages and communicate scope assumptions, coverage, allowances, and risk items to Project Management and Field Operations.
• Participate in lessons-learned reviews to improve future estimates and handoffs.
• Help improve estimating templates, bid leveling tools, scope sheets, tracking systems, and historical cost data.

• A successful Estimator at Level 3 Construction will:
• Produce accurate, organized, and well-supported estimates.
• Complete takeoffs and assigned estimating tasks on time.
• Help increase subcontractor coverage and bid competitiveness.
• Identify scope…