Project Estimator

Project Estimator

Department: Administrative

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: San Francisco, CA

Reporting To: Director of Preconstruction

Compensation: $140,000 - $170,000 / year

Design Line builds complex architectural homes with high design standards, exacting detail, and challenging site conditions across the San Francisco Bay Area, Marin County, Sonoma Wine Country, and beyond. Our work requires disciplined execution, strong collaboration with architects, owner’s representatives, and consultants, and a deep respect for craftsmanship. Every member of our team—both in the field and in the office—plays a role in delivering homes that reflect the design vision, provide an uncompromising client experience, and uphold the high standards we are known for.

Through Concierge by Design Line, we also provide ongoing care and stewardship for sophisticated residences, estates, and family properties with tailored, high‑touch service.

Our culture is grounded in competence, ethical decision‑making, respect, a supportive team environment, and authentic communication.

We approach challenges with flexibility, initiative, and a commitment to finding solutions.

We foster positive relationships through open communication and mutual respect.

We ensure the architectural vision and project goals are realized with precision and care.

We prioritize safety in both our actions and our mindset across every project.

• Reviews and evaluates requests for estimates and communicates with Design Line leadership on feasibility of the request and validity of a DLC budget effort
• Prepares an RFP list of potential vendors and subcontractors for review and distribution
• Prepares and manages a bid calendar to ensure timely completion and delivery of estimates
• Reviews estimates with the Design Line project team, and edits the budget for completeness and accuracy
• Reviews construction documents and understands scope of work to bid
• Executes internal take‑offs of construction documents using Plangrid or similar software
• Inputs take‑offs into Design Line’s proprietary budget spread sheet
• Obtains pricing for materials; obtains bids from subcontractors and vendors
• Prepares cost analysis by calculating material, labor, equipment, subcontractor proposals, vendor input and ongoing input from the DLC project team
• Makes an estimate where predetermined standards are not available
• Informs the project team of any observed inaccuracies or omissions in the project documents
• Evaluates subcontractor proposals and asks qualifying questions and levels multiple proposals for same scopes of work to determine best outcome
• Develops and maintains resource information on products, vendors, subcontractors, government requirements, etc.
• Attends project team meetings and sales meetings as required
• Photocopies documents and plans
• Active support for on‑going projects
• On‑going budget tracking and control
• Reviews newly issued documents for change in cost
• Develops pricing for additional work and subcontractor changes
• Works with Project Engineer to document cost changes
• Distributes change orders to PM for review and issuance to owner team

This role works closely with clients and partners to ensure an accurate and transparent estimate done with the highest level of quality and professionalism. The role will work across stakeholder groups to develop accurate, preliminary project schedules, review construction sequencing and perform risk assessments.

Other client and partner interactions required of this role include:

• Submit Requests for Information (RFIs) to the architect, vendor and/or client for bid document clarification
• Participate in start‑up and close‑out meetings with project personnel to convey the scope of work, complete the budget conversion and gather subcontractor and budgetary feedback
• Perform strategic and peer reviews of estimating efforts generated by others
• Review subcontractor qualifications and develop and promote new subcontractor relationships

The…