Mechanical Estimator

Mechanical Estimator

Celebrated as one of Minnesota's Top Workplaces! Knutson Construction is accepting applications for a Mechanical Estimator to join our team in Minneapolis, MN.

Together We Make Dreams Real – that is our purpose as a company and we exist to work in concert with each other, owners, design professionals and subcontractors to make the journey as stress-free as possible. Together, we've created a dynamic, fun, inspiring environment where we can be ourselves and grow each day. Knutson is deeply committed to cultivating and upholding diversity throughout our workforce, relationships, and communities.

We recognize the utmost importance of continually advancing our comprehension of diversity, equity, and inclusion as transformative forces within our work, industry, and company values.

At Knutson, opportunities to shine happen daily. We value what makes you different and empower you to act on your ideas.

You will be responsible for preparing and leading accurate mechanical estimates and preconstruction services for commercial construction projects. This role partners with project teams, owners, design professionals, and trade partners to develop competitive and profitable construction solutions involving HVAC, plumbing, process piping, control systems, and other building mechanical systems. The Mechanical Estimator plays a key role in securing new work, identifying project risks and opportunities, supporting value engineering efforts, and ensuring successful project transitions to operations.

The key job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Independently prepare accurate mechanical estimates for commercial construction projects from conceptual design through construction documents.
• Build and maintain accurate mechanical scope unit costs, cost models, and historical database.
• Analyze drawings, specifications, BIM models, and other project documentation to determine scope requirements, risk areas, and pricing strategies.
• Develop detailed quantity takeoffs for HVAC, plumbing, piping, building automation controls, and related mechanical systems using estimating and takeoff software.
• Support negotiated project pursuits for projects of varying size and complexity.
• Solicit, evaluate, and level subcontractor and supplier quotations to ensure complete scope coverage and competitive pricing.
• Prepare detailed cost analyses including labor, equipment, productivity factors, materials, subcontractors, escalation, and general conditions.
• Participate in bid strategy meetings and recommend pricing approaches based on project risks, market conditions, and competitive landscape.
• Identify scope gaps, constructability concerns, and design inconsistencies, and coordinate clarification questions with project stakeholders.
• Support design-build and negotiated project delivery efforts by collaborating with operations, design teams, and trade partners during preconstruction.
• Develop and present value engineering options that reduce costs, improve constructability, and maintain project quality objectives.
• Perform mechanical conceptual, schematic, design development, and GMP estimating for negotiated projects.
• Attend pre-bid meetings, site visits, design reviews, and client presentations as needed.
• Assist in preparing proposal packages, clarifications, assumptions, qualifications, and bid submission documentation.
• Partner with Operations during project turnover to communicate estimating assumptions, opportunities, and project risks.
• Develops accurate quantity takeoff and cost models using 2D and 3D software.
• Prepare documentation for each milestone estimate.
• Works closely with Operations and senior level estimators on subcontractor analysis and buyout processes on negotiated projects.
• May attend interviews on project pursuits.

Miscellaneous Items:

• Delivers The Knutson Experience.
• Maintain current knowledge of mechanical construction means and methods, market pricing trends, labor productivity, and emerging technologies.
• Keeps senior level estimators informed of key issues/opportunities that impact project success.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with owners, architects, engineers, subcontractors,…