Estimator / Purchaser

Requirements

• Associates Degree; Bachelor’s Degree preferred
• Minimum 3 years experience in construction industry, residential construction preferred
• Proven experience working with estimating software/programs
• Pre-employment criminal background check

Schedule / Work Environment

• Full-time, 40 hours/week (Mon-Fri, 8 hours/day, one-hour unpaid meal/personal period; flexible hours available for evening/weekend appointments)
• Approximately 95% in-office, 5% jobsite/offsite (trade walks, meetings)
• Prolonged periods sitting or standing at a desk and working on a computer
• Occasional travel to Client homes and project sites

Essential Functions

The duties listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar or logically related. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time, with or without notice.
 

Estimating

• Proposal estimate
  • Provides proposal estimates to Project Planner by reviewing a conceptual scope of work and evaluating previous similar projects
  • Estimates labor, material, and time requirements to be able to compute the overall cost of the project
  • Conducts new construction square-foot analysis based on spreadsheet program/calculations, precedent images, and knowledge of past comparable projects
• Budget assessment
  • Uses work scope and schematic design-level drawings provided by Project Planner to prepare material take-offs, and estimate quantities and current price of materials
  • Conducts trade walks with trade partners and vendors for accurate proposals, and includes Construction Manager for initial overview of prospective project and scheduling needs
  • Solicits proposals from trade partners and vendors that reflect work scope and schematic design-level drawings
  • Requests allowance and/or selections pricing from Designers
  • Reviews scope ofwork, drawings, and notes from Project Planner to identify and rectify potential issues prior to final contract
  • Compares estimate notes to budget assessment write-up to ensure accuracy
  • Reviews scope of work with Project Planner and value-engineers as appropriate
• Final budget
  • Requests final quotations from trade partners and vendors per construction document plans and final scope of work
  • Requests updated allowance pricing from Designers
  • Locates, highlights, and identifies differences between schematic and construction drawings
  • Negotiates pricing with suppliers and trade partners to fit project goals as needed
• Change orders
  • Estimates change orders as requested by Project Planner, Designer, and/or Project Manager/Lead Carpenter, based on specifics/scope of work provided by Project Planner
  • Produces formal purchase order once change order has been approved by Client
• Closeout meetings
  • Prepares for and participates in project closeout meetings, answering any questions related to contracted budgets

Purchasing

• Purchases all items dictated by purchasing schedule in conjunction with Construction Manager and ensures timely delivery.
• Communicates with Project Manager/Lead Carpenter to ensure all other project items are ordered and delivered per project schedule.
• Purchases materials and trade partner contracts for change orders.
• Recruits and negotiates with trade partners and vendors for pricing discounts, volume discounts, payment terms, and exceptional service, and monitors and assesses their reliability.
• Identifies new products and potential suppliers, and builds and maintains long-term relationships with key vendors.
• Studies job cost reports from Finance Manager and collaborates with Construction Manager, Project Manager, and Lead Carpenter to recognize and identify cost overruns and recommend opportunities to recuperate expenses for project profitability.
• Participates in regular production meetings in order to anticipate and act on fulfilling material and labor needs of Project Managers and/or Lead Carpenters.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Knowledge of: residential building/construction materials, methods, and costs; budgets; customer and personal service; estimating and project management software (Buildertrend); mathematics; English language; Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel
• Skilled in: verbal and written communication; analyzing, critical-thinking, and decision- making; data entry and recordkeeping; interpersonal relationship-building and negotiating; organization; time management; project management
• Able to: read and interpret architectural/engineering drawings and project documents to calculate accurate material quantities and costs; understand project budgets and company cost structure; work as part of a team to provide accurate, timely, and up-to-date information