Key Responsibilities
1. Bid Pipeline Development & Governance
The Estimator is accountable for managing a controlled and intentional bid pipeline sourced exclusively from two approved channels and governed by formal bid controls.
This includes accountability for:
Developing estimates from inbound bid invitations received directly from General Contractors (GCs)
Managing negotiated and relationship-based bid opportunities
Proactively identifying bid opportunities through approved sourcing platforms (e.g., PlanHub, AGC sites, public bid portals)
Screening all opportunities using documented bid/no-bid criteria
Enforcing capacity, backlog, and risk constraints prior to pursuit
Managing bid calendars, deadlines, addenda, and final submission timing
Coordinating pursuit strategy and prioritization with the VP of Sales & Marketing
2. Estimating & Bid Development
The Estimator is accountable for producing complete, defensible, and market-aligned estimates.
This includes accountability for:
Performing detailed quantity takeoffs for all commercial plumbing systems
Developing labor projections using standardized productivity assumptions
Pricing materials, fixtures, equipment, and subcontracted work using current supplier data
Accounting for escalation, phasing, access constraints, and schedule impacts
Identifying and documenting scope gaps, exclusions, clarifications, and assumptions
Preparing bid proposals, scope letters, and qualifications in approved formats
3. Pricing, Margin & Market Risk Management
The Estimator is accountable for protecting margin in dynamic market conditions.
This includes accountability for:
Maintaining current price books, supplier data, and labor modifiers
Incorporating material volatility, labor availability, and escalation risk into estimates
Validating estimates against historical job cost and profitability data
Applying approved overhead, labor burden, and profit targets
Escalating abnormal market conditions to Sales leadership
4. Sales Alignment & Pre-Bid Support
The Estimator is accountable for collaborating in a disciplined manner with Sales leadership and external stakeholders.
This includes accountability for:
Participating in bid/no-bid and pricing strategy discussions
Responding to GC inquiries, addenda, and clarification requests
Supporting value engineering efforts without compromising margin or scope
Ensuring all pre-award commitments are documented and approved
5. Project Handoff to Operations
The Estimator is accountable for a formal, standardized transition of awarded projects.
This includes accountability for delivering a complete handoff package consisting of:
Final estimate summary
Labor budgets and productivity assumptions
Material pricing assumptions and supplier commitments
Exclusions, clarifications, and scope qualifications
Documented risk items and constraints
Qualifications
Experience
Minimum 8 years of commercial Plumbing or HVAC experience, including estimating
Demonstrated success in estimating complex commercial construction projects
Knowledge
Commercial Plumbing systems, HVAC systems, and construction means and methods
Job costing, labor productivity, and market pricing dynamics
Competitive, negotiated, and alternative delivery bid environments
Skills
High analytical rigor and attention to detail
Independent judgment under deadline pressure
Clear written and verbal communication
Ability to enforce discipline without positional authority