Commercial Construction Estimator – Lead the Bid, Win the Work

Lakewood, CO | Denver Metro | Full-Time, Exempt | $115,000–$150,000

The Opportunity

Before a project ever breaks ground, someone has to figure out how to win it.

A well-established commercial general contractor is seeking an experienced Commercial Construction Estimator to join its Denver-area team and take ownership of estimates from initial document review through bid day.

This isn't a position where you'll spend your career supporting someone else's estimate. You'll develop bid strategy, analyze risk, build subcontractor coverage, complete takeoffs, evaluate scopes, price work, and collaborate with operations to put together competitive proposals that win.

Projects range from fast-track tenant improvements to major $100M+ ground-up commercial developments, giving you the opportunity to estimate a diverse and challenging portfolio.

Why This Role Stands Out

• Own estimates from start to finish

• Lead both public and private commercial bids

• Help develop competitive bid strategy — not just quantities

• Work on projects ranging from smaller improvements to $100M+ developments

• Leverage self-perform concrete and carpentry capabilities

• Build and strengthen subcontractor relationships throughout the market

• Join an established contractor with a long-term presence in commercial construction

What You'll Do

• Lead commercial construction estimates from initial review through final bid submission

• Review drawings, specifications, and contract documents to understand project requirements

• Develop bid strategies and identify project risks, opportunities, concerns, and competitive advantages

• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs across CSI Divisions 1–46

• Develop conceptual, schematic, and detailed construction estimates

• Prepare Bid Day Summaries and General Requirements estimates

• Develop subcontractor bid packages and detailed scopes of work

• Identify priority subcontractors and manage bid solicitation and coverage

• Coordinate subcontractor bidding through SmartBid

• Conduct pre-bid meetings with operations teams and subcontractor partners

• Analyze subcontractor proposals for completeness, scope gaps, exclusions, and pricing

• Price self-performed and subcontracted work using unit-price and production-based methodologies

• Maintain and develop historical cost and production data

• Partner with operations on project logistics, staging, phasing, scheduling, and constructability

• Develop relationships with existing subcontractors while recruiting new trade partners

• Support estimating efforts when entering new geographic markets

• Prepare and execute required bid forms and bid bonds

• Perform final estimate reviews for accuracy, risk, scope coverage, and constructability

What You'll Bring

• 5+ years of commercial construction estimating experience

• Experience estimating projects valued at $5M+

• Proven ability to lead an estimate from initial review through bid submission

• Strong understanding of commercial construction methods, materials, sequencing, and subcontractor scopes

• Strong quantity takeoff and conceptual estimating skills

• Ability to analyze drawings and specifications and identify scope gaps and project risks

• Strong subcontractor communication and relationship-building skills

• Ability to work effectively with preconstruction, operations, project management, and field teams

• Strategic mindset with the ability to develop competitive approaches to complex bids

Highly Desired

• Experience estimating self-performed concrete

• Experience estimating self-performed carpentry

• Timberline experience

• On-Screen Takeoff (OST) experience

• SmartBid experience

• Strong Microsoft Office skills

Benefits

A comprehensive benefits package is offered, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) with company match, parental leave, paid time off, paid holidays, disability coverage, and supplemental benefits.

Drug-free workplace. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Your Estimate Starts the Project.

If you know how to build an estimate, develop the strategy behind it, and put your team in position to win, we'd like to hear from you. Apply today.