Senior Estimator

Preconstruction & Estimating

Leads the bid on the biggest, most complex jobs and mentors the estimators doing the takeoffs underneath them.

What is a Senior Estimator?

A Senior Estimator leads the pricing effort on larger or more complex projects, often managing a team of estimators who handle individual scopes of a bid. Where an Estimator focuses on producing an accurate takeoff and bid, a Senior Estimator is also responsible for the bid strategy: how aggressively to price the job, which risks to carry a contingency for, and ultimately whether the bid gets submitted at all.

What they do

• Oversee and review takeoffs and pricing produced by junior estimators on a bid team
• Set overall bid strategy, margin, contingency, and which risks to price in versus qualify out
• Present final bids to company leadership or ownership for approval before submission
• Build and maintain relationships with key subcontractors and suppliers for competitive pricing
• Review contract terms for risk before a bid goes out, often alongside a contracts administrator or legal
• Mentor estimators earlier in their career and help standardize the team's estimating practices

A typical day

• 8:00 AMReview a junior estimator's takeoff on a large bid due at the end of the week
• 9:30 AMCall a strategic subcontractor partner to negotiate pricing ahead of the deadline
• 11:00 AMMeet with the preconstruction team to review bid strategy and target margin
• 1:30 PMReview contract terms and flag two clauses that need qualification before the bid goes out
• 4:00 PMPresent the completed bid to the VP of Operations for sign-off

Skills

Software

Education

Required:

High school diploma or equivalent

Preferred:

Bachelor's degree in construction management, civil engineering, or a related field, plus several years as an Estimator

Helpful:

Certified Professional Estimator (CPE) credential

Not necessary:

A specific estimating degree; this role is almost always reached by being promoted up from Estimator rather than hired in directly

Career progression

1. 1.Estimator
2. 2.Senior Estimator
3. 3.Chief Estimator or Preconstruction Manager
4. 4.Director of Preconstruction

Who hires for this role