Estimator, Construction, Civil Engineering

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Suffolk is a national enterprise that builds, innovates and invests. Suffolk is an end-to-end business that provides value throughout the entire project lifecycle by leveraging its core construction management services with vertical service lines that include real estate capital investment, design, self‑perform construction services, technology start‑up investment (Suffolk Technologies) and innovation research/development.

Suffolk – America’s Contractor – is a national company with more than $5.0 billion in annual revenue, 2,600 employees, and main offices in Boston (headquarters), New York City, Miami, West Palm Beach, Tampa, Estero, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego. Suffolk manages some of the most complex, sophisticated projects in the country, serving clients in every major industry sector, including healthcare, life sciences, education, gaming, transportation/aviation, government, mission‑critical and commercial.

Suffolk is privately held and is led by founder, chairman and CEO John Fish. Suffolk is ranked #8 on ENR’s list of “Top CM‑at‑Risk Contractors.” For more information, visit

The Estimator is responsible for the coordination of all project budgeting, including preparing quantity surveys, obtaining subcontractor pricing, reviewing historical cost data and ensuring compliance with scope of work, as well as offering construction feasibility and value engineering counsel. The Estimator must stay abreast of industry materials and labor pricing trends and developments to deliver accurate and timely estimates for preconstruction, hard bids, negotiated bids, value engineering, general conditions and systems studies and comparisons.

The Estimator also provides administrative support to the Chief Estimator, engages in consistent communications with trade partners, maintains up-to-date records of bids, and manages the prequalification process for the hiring of trade partners.

• Unit Cost Pricing
  • Clearly understand the complexity of the scope of work as shown on the construction documents
  • Prepare detailed take‑offs 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 unit prices or the price of a system with a subcontractor and previous similar estimates
  • Understand the influence of market conditions on pricing
• Subcontractor Solicitation & Selection
  • Prepare subcontractor list from S4 program, or manually
  • Prepare Bid Invitations
  • 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
• Subcontractor Relationships & Feedback
  • Keep Subcontractors up to date with project information and addenda during the bidding process
  • Answer subcontractor questions
  • Prepare RFIs to the design team
• Preconstruction Abilities
  • Assist the Senior Estimator with quantity take‑offs and subcontractor solicitation
  • Prepare document lists and correspondence during pre‑construction
• Conceptual Estimating
  • Assist the Senior Estimator by preparing take‑off quantities of areas and counts of items
• Hard Bid and Design Build Estimating
  • Procure drawings and specifications from architect or owner
  • Date stamp all drawings and spec books
  • Confirm SCCI is listed in all publications
  • Confirm with architect/owner that all construction documents have been received and send documents to printer
  • Put construction documents in plan room
  • Create bid binder or bid box; take off of items to be priced by SCCI; attempt to do a complete Control Estimate
  • Attend site visits
  • Read all assigned plans and specs completely
  • Call to confirm local building permit rates
  • Call the architect the day before the bid and confirm all addenda and supplemental information has been received
  • Assist in the creation of bid packages for the subs
• Turn Over Meetings
  • Assist the Senior Estimator in…