Lead Estimator

REPORTS TO:

Director of Est. & Project Management
FLSA STATUS:
Exempt

The Lead Estimator plays a critical role in ensuring accurate, comprehensive, and timely project estimates while providing guidance and supervision to the estimating team. This position combines hands‑on estimating expertise with team oversight, process management, and cross‑departmental collaboration. The Lead Estimator ensures that all estimates reflect project scope, production rates, and bid requirements, while mentoring team members, reviewing workflows, and maintaining quality and consistency across all projects.

• Analyze and interpret bid documents to ensure that the proper scope is accounted for through investigation of all plans, specs, RFI, Bid Forms and addendum.
• Perform accurate onscreen take-offs in estimating software and update estimates as needed per department standard.
• Ensure accurate and consistent application of production rates in all estimates.
• Solicit material and subcontractor quotes as required or directed.
• Oversee all addenda and ensure they are documented and accounted for during the estimating process.
• Perform annual review of production rates with Director of Estimating & Project Management to ensure accuracy.
• Own and perform final internal review on all estimates between $30K and $100K.
• Ensure all estimates are prepared for internal review at least two days prior to the bid date.
• Coordinate and assign estimating responsibilities for new project opportunities.
• Oversee the verification of completed estimates prior to submission for internal review.

• Maintain and oversee the Bid Calendar, ensuring all new opportunities, "in progress status", and key deadlines are accurately tracked. Present updates at weekly meetings and discuss any new assignments.
• Assist in proper setup and organization of new estimating projects, including project folders, plan sets, specifications, etc.
• Support the development and maintenance of written estimating and bid processes, providing recommendations to improve efficiency and accuracy.
• Maintain Vendor List - materials and subcontractors.
• Mentor and support all team members as required to ensure that the deadlines on the Bid Calendar are met in a timely and efficient manner.
• Oversee all RFPs to vendors and subs for pricing related to the estimating process.
• Identify potential risks to deadlines or areas requiring support and propose solutions to ensure successful project completion.
• Coordinate with the Director of Estimating & Project Management on readiness of all estimates over $100K for joint internal review.
• Assist, as directed, with tasks related to project management to ensure project completion and customer satisfaction.

• Manage the daily workflow of the centralized estimating team, ensuring adherence to the company's estimating standards and provide ongoing training for team success.
• Develop and perform training initiatives for the estimating team, fostering skill development and knowledge sharing.
• Review and approve daily timesheets for all hourly direct reports, ensuring accuracy and addressing any discrepancies promptly to maintain proper labor tracking and payroll processing.
• Other tasks assigned to ensure the success of the team and company.

• Collaborate with the Director of Estimating & Project Management, and various other operational units within the company to ensure the successful delivery of our finished projects to meet or exceed customer expectations.
• Collaborate with Director of Estimating & Project Management and operational team members to ensure customer needs and expectations are exceeded.
• Achieve personal and team sales revenue goals by contributing to the sales efforts.
• Communicate with General Contractors as required for any clarifications during the estimating process.

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Landscape Architecture, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5 years of experience in estimating landscape construction bids.
• Strong understanding of construction documents, plans,…