Senior Estimator

Job Description

A leading civil and industrial construction contractor is seeking a Senior Estimator – Civil Construction to manage estimating and pre-construction activities for complex infrastructure and industrial projects across Ontario. This role is responsible for preparing detailed cost estimates, supporting bid strategy, coordinating subcontractor pricing, and mentoring junior estimators.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years of civil estimating experience, with strong expertise in self-performed concrete, excavation, and underground utilities. The Senior Estimator will collaborate closely with operations, project management, and leadership to ensure accurate, competitive, and executable bids.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed self-performed estimates for civil construction scopes including earthworks, concrete, underground utilities, and structural work.


• Perform quantity take-offs from drawings, specifications, and site documentation.


• Develop cost breakdowns for labour, equipment, materials, and subcontracted work


• Incorporate productivity rates, logistics considerations, and risk allowances into pricing


• Align estimate assumptions with construction means and methods

Pre-construction & Bid Management

• Lead preparation of bids, proposals, and budgets for public and private sector projects.


• Participate in bid strategy reviews, identifying scope gaps, construct-ability issues, and risks


• Issue and manage RFQs/RFPs to subcontractors and suppliers


• Review subcontractor pricing, exclusions, and commercial terms


• Prepare tender submissions, clarifications, and supporting documentation


• Mentor and support junior estimators on take-offs, pricing, and scope reviews.


• Coordinate with project managers, engineers, and operations teams for post-award handover


• Maintain strong working relationships with subcontractors and suppliers


• Utilize estimating tools such as HeavyBid, Bluebeam, Excel, AutoCAD/Civil 3D, and scheduling software


• Maintain and improve cost databases, productivity benchmarks, and estimating templates


• Support continuous improvement initiatives for estimating accuracy and efficiency

Requirements

Required Experience

• Minimum 8 years of estimating experience in civil construction


• Strong background in self-performed concrete, excavation, and underground utilities


• Experience preparing full-scope civil estimates independently


• Knowledge of construction methods, productivity rates, and cost modeling


• Experience with contract review, bid analysis, change pricing, and risk assessment

Required Skills

• Civil quantity take-offs and cost estimating


• Subcontractor and supplier coordination


• Bid strategy and proposal development


• Risk identification and mitigation


• Strong analytical and organizational skills


• High attention to detail and accuracy


• Ability to meet tight bid deadlines

Software & Tools

• MS Excel


• Project scheduling tools (Primavera, MS Project, or similar)

Education

• Degree or diploma in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Estimating, or related field

Certifications (Preferred)

• Professional Quantity Surveyor (PQS)


• Project Management Professional (PMP)


• Competitive compensation and performance incentives


• Health, dental, and vision benefits
  
• Professional development and training support
  
• Paid vacation and flexible work environment