ASSISTANT ESTIMATOR JOB DESCRIPTION

Quantity take-offs, bid packages, and subcontractor solicitations form the daily currency of this role. An Assistant Estimator in commercial and civil construction supports the full pre-bid pipeline, from reading architectural plans and interpreting specification addenda through assembling compliant bid documents for owner and agency review. Unlike a Bid Coordinator, this role owns the numerical layer, calculating material and labor costs, challenging the supplier base for best pricing, and ensuring estimates carry the backup documentation a chief estimator needs to defend a number at the bid table. OSHA familiarity and a working understanding of public agency bidding requirements are standard expectations in this market.

As the Assistant Estimator, you translate construction drawings and tender documents into accurate, well-documented cost estimates that inform every bid the team submits. You work directly within the estimating department, supporting senior estimators and project managers across a portfolio of commercial, civil, or specialty construction projects.

Career Impact: Hands-on exposure to quantity take-offs, subcontractor negotiation, and bid strategy across commercial and civil project types builds the numerical and procedural fluency that separates a competent estimator from a principal one.

Business Impact: Every bid the team submits depends on accurate material lists and defensible cost data; errors at this stage translate directly into margin loss or lost awards on projects worth millions.

Growth Opportunity: The path from Assistant Estimator to Estimator to Senior Estimator is well-defined in construction; proficiency with take-off methodology and bid compliance documentation are the credentials that accelerate that progression.

• Perform detailed quantity take-offs from architectural plans, civil drawings, and specification addenda to build item-level cost lists.
• Assemble bid packages, including bid forms, bid bonds, and proposal documents, ensuring compliance with owner and agency requirements.
• Solicit and follow up on subcontractor and supplier quotes to ensure adequate bid coverage across all required trade packages.
• Coordinate subcontractor bid lists and pre-qualification records, identifying gaps in coverage before bid day.
• Analyze blueprints and project specifications to prepare time, material, and labor estimates for estimator review.
• Support project turnover by collaborating with project managers and purchasing agents on scope transfer after contract award.
• Maintain organized project files, bid calendars, and documentation systems to ensure estimates carry complete backup for management review.
• Attend pre-bid site walks and job meetings to gather field conditions data and incorporate findings into cost assumptions.

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• 2 or more years of experience in construction estimating or a related field, with demonstrated exposure to bid preparation and subcontractor coordination.
• Ability to read and interpret architectural plans, civil drawings, and specification documents accurately.
• Working knowledge of OSHA regulations and public agency bidding requirements, including documentation of good-faith efforts.
• Strong mathematical aptitude, including the ability to calculate extensions, unit costs, and proportional quantities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, with advanced Excel skills for cost modeling and data organization.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to correspond professionally with subcontractors, vendors, and project teams.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple active bids simultaneously under firm submission deadlines.

• Experience coordinating MBE, WBE, DBE, or UDBE subcontractor requirements on publicly funded projects.
• Familiarity with construction estimating software platforms or bid management systems.
• Exposure to commercial or civil field construction, including site visits and field data collection.
• Understanding of value engineering analysis or change order pricing in a construction environment.

• Bid submission accuracy rate, measured as the percentage of packages submitted complete and on time.
• Subcontractor bid coverage ratio, tracking the number of qualified bids received per trade package per project.
• Estimate variance percentage, comparing final awarded contract value to the original cost estimate submitted.
• Take-off completion cycle time, reflecting how quickly accurate quantity lists are produced from issued drawings.
• Document compliance rate on public agency bids, tracking good faith effort and advertising requirement fulfillment.
• Typical tools: spreadsheet and estimating platforms (commonly Excel, Bluebeam); bid management systems (commonly BuildingConnected).

• Base Salary Range: $48,000 to $68,000 per year
• Bonus: Annual performance bonus, typically 3% to 7% of base salary
• Equity: Not typical at this level
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer partial contribution standard
• PTO: 10 to 15 days annually, plus standard federal holidays
• Common Perks: Mileage reimbursement for site visits, professional development support, potential for tuition assistance toward construction management credentials

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Background check completion is a condition of employment for this role, as project site access and vendor relationships require verified credentials. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities are available upon request throughout the hiring process. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

The Assistant Estimator owns the financial and procurement support functions for a construction project team, delivering work across budget preparation, document control, and supplier management. Collaborating with internal and external project teams and reporting through the estimating function, this role enables accurate cost control and timely capital budget approval for board-level review.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure formulation of financial and procurement policies and procedures.
• Integrate with purchase order and invoicing systems.
• Attend project and site meetings as required.
• Provide weekly reports on project trackers and ensure continued updates are available for review.
• Manage project cash flow reports and ensure contractual terms are reported and controlled.
• Review procurement control base periodically and provide yearly review to ensure best practices and best supplier bases for future works.
• Prepare and manage capital budget capture and presentation packs for board approval.
• Assist with and lead small works projects such as office moves and relocations.
• Produce project estimating and small works package development, assist the team in budget formation, and challenge the supplier base for best cost and speedy delivery.
• Assist with the development and provide administration of a new document control system for the management of incoming and outgoing project information, covering both physical storage and electronic transfer and availability.
• Contribute to the continued development of the project team and, where appropriate, individual projects.
• Provide gatekeeping controls over financial record information release, amendments, duplicate copies, and deletions.
• Create construction budget tender documents under guidance from the internal and external project team.
• Manage and update shared folders, handle written correspondence, and manage documentation.

Required Qualifications

• A technical or building qualification is advantageous.
• Formal qualifications in health and safety, such as IOSH or NEBOSH.
• Minimum of three years of experience working in a large or complex site and its core delivery.
• Experience working with accessible user groups.
• Ability to meet tight deadlines and work well under pressure.
• Forward-thinking with the ability to anticipate problems.
• Self-motivated and effective team worker.
• Proactive, fast learner with a willingness to adapt.
• Smart and presentable with a positive attitude.
• Ability to work independently and see a job through to completion.
• Adaptable to quickly evolving work streams.

Embedded within the estimating department, the Assistant Estimator delivers accurate quantity take-offs and cost estimates across a range of construction projects. Working closely with project managers, purchasing agents, and subcontractors, this role builds the bid documentation and pricing analysis that enables informed vendor selection and successful project award.

Core Functions

• Perform and review quantity take-offs for the purpose of estimating projects.
• Respond to subcontractor inquiries and assist the estimator in following up on outstanding bids.
• Upon award of a project, collaborate with the project manager, purchasing agent, and other key stakeholders for knowledge transfer and project turnover.
• Travel to pre-bid walkthroughs to investigate site conditions, meet with clients, and investigate utilities.
• Analyze blueprints and other documentation to prepare time, cost, materials, and labor estimates.
• Prepare estimates for use in selecting vendors or subcontractors.
• Support the project management team with pricing change orders and cost analysis of project value engineering.

Qualifications & Experience

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Business Management, Engineering, or equivalent work experience.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
• Exposure to estimating software such as HeavyBid, Bluebeam, or Agtek is helpful.
• General knowledge and understanding of various safety codes and compliance requirements, including OSHA regulations and corresponding state and local codes and statutes.
• Self-motivated with the ability to quickly learn new procedures and processes.
• Ability to respond quickly and effectively to ever-changing situations.

Reporting to the estimating team lead, the Assistant Estimator shapes the full bid cycle from pre-bid review through quantity take-off and submission for civil, site, and underground utility work. Partnering with engineers, architects, owners, and municipal agencies, this role ensures complete, well-organized estimates with full backup documentation that support management decision-making on project feasibility.

Primary Duties

• Participate in all estimating functions from pre-bid through bid preparation and submission.
• Read, understand, and perform a thorough review of construction plans, specification analysis, and addenda.
• Identify scope of work and accurately perform detailed quantity take-offs to create an item list of site, civil, and underground utility work tasks.
• Assist with contacting material vendors and subcontractors to review proposals, compare responses, ensure scope compliance, and enter pricing into the estimating program and purchasing processes.
• Ensure estimates are complete, well organized, and include all backup documentation for management review, and make recommendations regarding the overall project estimate.
• Attend pre-bid site meetings during the bidding process to learn scope of work and understand site conditions and restrictions.
• Visit active project sites, attend job meetings, assist in collecting daily field data from project managers, and enter the data.
• Confer with engineers, architects, owners, and municipal and state agencies.

Skills & Qualifications

• Two-year degree; new graduates accepted.
• Civil engineering degree or construction-related degree preferred but not required.
• Relevant public, commercial, or field construction experience preferred but not required.
• Experience with estimating, take-off, or CAD design programs preferred but not required.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office products, specifically Excel.
• Strong computer and technology skills.
• Must possess a valid, unrestricted driver's licence.

Sitting at the intersection of print production knowledge and commercial analysis, the Assistant Estimator builds cost estimates and customer quotations across all printing projects by applying expertise in prepress, offset presses, die cutting, and bindery. Operating across engineering, sales, and customer-facing functions, this role drives profitable order outcomes by evaluating specifications from multiple production perspectives and identifying the most cost-effective technologies for each project.

Duties

• Produce job estimates or quotations for all printing projects.
• Determine the most productive, efficient, and cost-effective technologies to use for product printing, embellishment, and finishing.
• Prepare and source information to generate customer quotations.
• Attend meetings with customers as required to discuss the design and development of new products in relation to order engineering and estimating requirements.
• Work with customer-supplied hard media or electronic files to create specifications for substrates, dies, embellishments, and finishes required for manufacturing processes.

Requirements

• Five years of estimating experience and/or three years of graphics experience in the custom printing or packaging industry.
• Working knowledge of digital and conventional printing processes.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Apps.
• Knowledge of the Macintosh operating system, Adobe, and other industry graphics software is an asset.
• Custom databases, ERP software, and automated workflow experience.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify connections in data and historical trends.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both written and verbal form.
• Ability to see tasks through to completion with diligent follow-up.

A key member of the estimating team, the Assistant Estimator builds accurate cost estimates and bid packages for national defence construction projects, covering tender support, subcontract management, and commercial liaison. Collaborating across project management, key stakeholders, and national defence clients, this role ensures effective communication and commercial support that underpins timely, competitive tender submissions.

Functions

• Support the estimating team in providing accurate costs and drafting estimates.
• Collect and follow up on quotes from suppliers.
• Support tender requests and submissions.
• Maintain and produce accurate project records and reports.
• Liaise with the team to ensure effective communication across all projects.
• Support subcontract management and document control processes.
• Liaise with key stakeholders and provide commercial support to national defence projects.

Experience & Qualifications

• Degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, or a similar field.
• Minimum of one to two years of experience in a similar role.
• Experience in a commercial building and estimating environment is advantageous.
• Strong technical aptitude with the ability to grasp estimating software quickly.
• Ability to multitask and work to strict deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Enthusiastic, willing to learn, and professional in presentation and communication.

Accurate, competitive bid submissions depend on the Assistant Estimator, who administers the full document control and subcontractor coordination process for the SBU's estimating and project management teams. Based within a construction environment and reporting to the chief estimator, this role maintains bid calendars, FTP systems, and subcontractor pre-qualification resources that enable timely, well-organized proposal packages.

Accountabilities

• Prepare and maintain project folders and create job information, scope, and bid day files.
• Prepare invitations to bid, including general project descriptions, required trade packages, and subcontractor solicitations.
• Determine the source for plans per project and notify estimators when updates are received.
• Prioritize plans and execute workload related to proposal preparation.
• Prepare bid documents, including bid form, bid bond, and proposal package, and obtain appropriate signatures.
• Coordinate and maintain subcontractor bid lists per project, contact subcontractors via phone and email for pricing and bids, and follow up on clarifications and status updates.
• Coordinate workload and tasks with the chief estimator and other estimators.
• Prepare and maintain subcontractor contact lists on the relevant platform and identify areas needing additional subcontractor resources.
• Organize and maintain online plan rooms, master subcontract lists, bid calendar, FTP website, and corporate bid recap book.
• Assist subcontractors in accessing the FTP website and pre-qualification site, and encourage subcontractors to update pre-qualification information as needed.

Technical Qualifications

• Minimum of one year of post-secondary education or three to six months of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Two years of previous secretarial or administrative experience.
• Experience in the construction industry with the ability to read blueprints preferred.
• Highly proficient in personal computer skills, including electronic mail, record keeping, routine database activity, word processing, spreadsheets, and graphics.
• Excellent spelling, grammar, and proofreading skills.
• Ability to effectively present or share information in one-on-one or small group situations.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Able to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.

As the Assistant Estimator, this role leads the full tender cycle from take-offs and bills of quantities through to concise project handovers, serving a range of clients including main contractors and local authorities. The pre-construction team relies on this work to achieve growth, profit, and expansion by maintaining client relationships and sourcing competitive supply chain prices under the direction of the Extensive Pre-Construction Manager and Directors.

Activities

• Complete tender projects using bills of quantities, construction plans, and specifications within the required time frame.
• Produce take-offs and internal bills of quantities and quote packs.
• Identify and assess risks in terms of construction details or programme.
• Source supply chain prices and carry out time-critical tendering.
• Identify requests for information with solutions to bring to the client's attention at the tender stage.
• Communicate with clients to ensure they are fully aware of progress within tender stage deadlines.
• Maintain margins as directed and manage budgets accordingly.
• Produce concise and detailed project handovers with the operations and commercial teams.
• Attend site visits as required to secure projects.
• Maintain relationships with existing clients and seek out and build new client relationships.
• Play an active role in settling bids in conjunction with the pre-construction management team.

Position Requirements

• Degree, relevant professional qualification, or equivalent is desirable.
• A basic understanding of green roofs is desirable.
• A good working knowledge of Microsoft Office is essential.
• Ability to gather quotes from subcontractors and suppliers and support buying activities.
• Demonstrable skills in negotiating and client management.
• High-level analytical ability with the capacity to deliver creative solutions.
• Excellent oral, presentation, and written communication skills.
• Ability to build relationships, communicate and negotiate effectively, work under pressure, multitask, and maintain a high level of attention to detail.
• Commercial awareness and problem-solving ability with an awareness of data confidentiality.

Assistant Estimator produces accurate material lists and cost estimates on all quotation inquiries for the company's sign structure product line across North America, supporting profitable sales outcomes. Success in the position means working with sales and design engineers, purchasing, detailing, and manufacturing teams while reporting to the Assistant Sales Manager to deliver competitive, margin-compliant quotations.

Operational Focus

• Work with the sales and design engineers, purchasing, detailing, and manufacturing teams to collect all information and maintain good relationships with outside vendors to ensure the most economical delivery and price.
• Collect technical information in a manner that provides quick, understandable knowledge of customer requirements.
• Assist with finite element analysis to develop accurate material lists resulting in profitable sales.
• Plan and develop the cost of structures to support the achievement of company objectives.
• Evaluate specifications to determine the most economical cost and create accurate take-offs.
• Track and review all orders entered or changed in the database and communicate any changes with the customer.
• Prepare documentation for material, labor, and cost sheets on each item quoted for each job.
• Ensure recommended margin is met on all quotations and re-price existing orders when changes are made.
• Assist in collecting information for order entry and prepare and carry out special assignments as requested.

Knowledge Skills & Abilities

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, or an Associate's degree with three or more years of experience.
• Master's degree in Structural Engineering is a plus; PE designation is not required.
• Five or more years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated mathematical aptitude and exceptional financial acumen.
• Decisive problem-solving ability and capability to assess people and situations accurately.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills with the ability to present complex information clearly and persuasively.
• Ability to conform to shifting priorities, demands, and timelines through analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Confident self-starter with integrity and accountability.

The Assistant Estimator advances bid compliance and diverse subcontractor representation by coordinating MBE, WBE, DBE, and UDBE requirements across all bid submittals for the estimating department. Working closely with estimating staff and agency owners, this role ensures accurate bid documentation, timely submissions, and efficient daily operations that meet good faith effort and public agency advertising requirements.

Key Deliverables

• Provide support to estimating staff with bid preparation and job startup using thorough knowledge of terminology, procedures, and practices.
• Coordinate all MBE, WBE, DBE, and UDBE requirements to ensure diverse representation of subcontractors on all bid submittals.
• Provide maintenance of bid lists and bid packets to ensure timely and accurate bid submission.
• Establish processing and documentation to ensure good faith efforts and project advertising requirements are met.
• Process bid documents from agencies and owners to ensure accurate bid submissions.
• Assemble bid packets, track documents, and type correspondence to ensure all documentation and communication is accurate and timely.
• Perform a variety of administrative and office support functions to ensure the daily operations of the department run efficiently.

Professional Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or equivalent work experience.
• Two to five years of experience in the construction industry with a basic understanding of the bidding process and public agency requirements.
• Notary Public designation preferred.
• JD Edwards experience is a plus.
• Proficiency in all Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• High attention to detail and accuracy with excellent organizational skills.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication abilities.
• Ability to work independently and prioritize multiple tasks under tight deadlines.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Team player with a willingness to take on additional tasks.
• Valid driver's licence; occasional overtime required.

Embedded within the estimating department, the Assistant Estimator develops quantity take-offs and bid package documentation to support estimators and project managers throughout the new project development process. Working closely with qualified suppliers and subcontractors, this role maintains the backup files and distributed bidding documents that form the evidentiary foundation for competitive cost estimates.

Areas of Ownership

• Calculate various data quantity take-offs for data entry into the computer estimating system.
• Identify qualified suppliers and subcontractors and solicit quotes.
• Participate in developing and organizing bid package estimate documents.
• Maintain files of working documents as backup to estimating figures.
• Distribute bidding documents to subcontractors and vendors at the direction of the estimator.

Education & Experience

• Minimum two-year post-secondary non-degree award in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience.
• Ability to calculate mathematical extensions and read and understand architectural construction documents.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, and Excel; Oracle preferred.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks, changing priorities as necessary.
• Ability to work under time pressure and adapt to changing requirements with a positive attitude.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to be self-motivated, proactive, and an effective team player.
• Ability to interact effectively and professionally with all levels of employees, vendors, clients, and others.

Reporting to the operations team, the Assistant Estimator refines customer quotation and order processing workflows for a manufacturer of sound insulation control products, handling inbound requests by telephone, fax, and email. Partnering with internal departments including purchasing and production, this role ensures accurate cost interpretation, seamless purchase order coordination, and the highest standard of customer service across standard and custom product lines.

Role Responsibilities

• Receive requests for price quotations, purchase orders, and order changes from customers and distributors.
• Achieve and maintain rapport with customers to provide the best possible service.
• Use a computer to retrieve customer information, enter quotes, process purchase orders, and perform other related duties.
• Make price quotations on standard items.
• Interpret customer requirements and determine individual system components to obtain accurate costs.
• Accurately process customer transactions such as orders, quotes, and returns.
• Coordinate with other departments in handling purchase orders.

Background & Experience

• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Excellent math skills with strong accuracy and attention to detail.
• Superior organizational skills with the ability to manage time effectively and adapt quickly to changing priorities.
• Effective listening and communication skills, both verbal and written, with good phone manner.
• Able to multitask and work independently with some direction.
• Team player who works productively with a wide range of people.

Sitting at the intersection of vendor relationship management and construction cost analysis, the Assistant Estimator oversees the full estimating cycle from site visits and metric selection through to detailed bid reports for residential and commercial construction projects. Operating across procurement, project coordination, and client-facing functions, this role resolves cost discrepancies and manages bid pricing from all vendors to deliver accurate, submission-ready estimate packages.

Job Functions

• Acquire an understanding of the requirements of the project or programme at hand.
• Select metrics to produce valid estimates.
• Prepare construction budgets by studying home plans, updating specifications, and identifying and projecting costs for each evaluation.
• Communicate with trade partners and team members regarding new and current projects.
• Prepare estimates and purchase orders in detail for all products.
• Visit sites to gather essential information and ensure timely completion of estimates.
• Manage bid pricing from all vendors and resolve cost discrepancies by collecting and analyzing information.
• Prepare detailed bid reports for submission to appropriate parties.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with vendors and subcontractors.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, construction science, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• Three or more years of experience in construction estimating.
• Deep understanding of research methodology, data analysis, and estimation metrics.
• Excellent knowledge of bid software with strong proficiency in numbers and technology.
• Able to read architectural plans and develop cost estimates with a strong understanding of commercial construction.
• Great attention to detail with strong organizational skills.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and customer service abilities.
• Able to multitask and meet strict deadlines.

A key member of the engineering and sales team, the Assistant Estimator develops take-offs, estimates, and bid forms for structural steel and design-build construction projects. Collaborating across sales, engineering, and customer teams, this role advances competitive bid outcomes by applying independent judgement to complex specifications and supporting contract negotiation under mentorship from senior team members.

What You'll Do

• Actively participate in the bidding process for various tenders.
• Complete take-offs, estimates, quotes, and bid forms from tender documents.
• Work with engineering and sales teams to support system layouts on design-build projects.
• Work with customers to provide solutions that support their project dynamics.
• Support the sales team with contract negotiation.

Required Qualifications

• A degree or certificate in Civil or Structural Engineering is beneficial.
• Previous estimating experience, preferably in construction and structural steel.
• Experience with structural steel, including the ability to interpret tender drawings and specifications.
• Familiarity with CRM software such as Salesforce, Dynamics, or Zoho is a plus.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and PDF editors.
• Ability to utilize independent judgement to solve complex issues and prioritize with excellent time management.
• Ability to learn on the job and be proactive in supporting training and development.

Cost visibility for complex landing gear and landing gear systems programs depends on the Assistant Estimator, who establishes tight-deadline estimates and updates the five-year cost forecast for the Global Landing Gear Integration Estimating Manager and the Integrated Programme Team. Serving as the estimating representative at IPT meetings and working closely with manufacturing engineering, purchasing, and sites across the organization, this role enables cost-effective design decisions and active cost reduction outcomes.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Establish estimates for landing gear and landing gear systems to tight deadlines.
• Serve as the estimating representative at integrated programme team meetings and update the five-year cost forecast.
• Update databases with the help of manufacturing engineering and purchasing, and build or calibrate tools and calculators.
• Assist the design office in making cost-effective decisions.
• Provide estimates for modifications to existing landing gear systems to the integrated programme team lead.
• Participate in cost reduction activities and provide target costs to the purchasing department.
• Use and program estimating software.
• Work closely with sites across the organization.

Qualifications & Experience

• Master's degree.
• Five years of experience with CNC machines and manufacturing processes.
• Manufacturing, mechanical, or design engineering knowledge.
• Superior computer skills in Excel, Access, and VBA.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Bilingual in English and French.

As the Assistant Estimator, this role shapes bills of quantities, take-offs, and tender documentation under the guidance of a well-established team of senior estimators, supporting the full invitation-to-tender lifecycle across construction projects. The estimating function relies on this work to produce accurate procurement enquiries, compliant tender submissions, and organized contract overview documents that enable effective settlement of each project.

Scope of Work

• Review and form an understanding of the project from the invitation to tender documents.
• Assist with the preparation of bills of quantities and take-offs to either populate or as a checking exercise.
• Assist with the preparation of contract overview and settlement documents for tender review meetings.
• Identify and collate subcontract enquiry packages to supplement the tender as required.
• Prepare material take-offs and quantities for procurement enquiries.
• Collate and submit tender queries to the client within the prescribed periods outlined in the invitation to tender documents when applicable.

Skills & Qualifications

• Educated to National Diploma level, ideally in a construction-related discipline.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong time management skills with flexibility for planning and prioritizing tasks.
• Ability to manage complex issues within tight and unpredictable time frames.

Assistant Estimator refines the subcontractor bid coordination process by managing BuildingConnected platforms, organizing bid documents, and maintaining current subcontractor contact information across all proposals. The work directly supports the estimating team's ability to achieve adequate bid coverage, timely submissions, and well-organized proposal directories that enable client-ready presentations.

Work Activities

• Coordinate construction bid documents using the relevant bid management platform.
• Receive, organize, and prepare subcontractor bid documents for estimator review.
• Develop rapport with subcontractors to facilitate receipt of bid proposals.
• Solicit subcontractors to ensure adequate bid coverage and prepare proposals for client submission.
• Organize all bid documents in compliance with the internal bid process.
• Produce and maintain proposal directories and reports for all proposals.
• Update information in the bid management database and maintain current subcontractor contact information.

Requirements

• Experience with BuildingConnected is preferred.
• Estimating software knowledge is required.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Detail-oriented with problem-solving skills and the ability to meet deadlines.
• Organized self-starter able to juggle multiple projects under tight deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to work independently.

Embedded within a quantity surveying and tendering team, the Assistant Estimator coordinates the full tender cycle from cost estimation and supplier enquiries through to final budget preparation and tender award documentation. Working closely with material suppliers, subcontractors, and clients, this role ensures compliant, accurately priced submissions that support the team's commercial objectives.

Core Responsibilities

• Prepare tenders independently, covering cost build-up, contractual review, quotation inquiries, estimating reports, tender submission, and tendering correspondence with clients and consultants.
• Study tender documents, including tender specifications and drawings.
• Prepare enquiries to material suppliers and subcontractors for quotations.
• Analyze quotation prices, details, and conditions to select the best quotation for compliant material.
• Prepare entire cost estimation works based on preliminary tender design drawings and calculations.
• Prepare replies to tender queries and prepare the final tender award budget on successful tender.

Technical Qualifications

• Degree or diploma in Quantity Surveying, Building Construction, or equivalent.
• Two to three years of working experience in tendering, quantity surveying, or estimating.
• Good command of written and spoken English and Chinese.
• Good communication skills, self-motivated, hardworking, and able to work independently.
• Immediate availability is highly preferred.

Reporting to the estimating manager, the Assistant Estimator guides the preparation of independent, detailed tenders and cost estimates for civil projects in New Zealand, covering quantity take-offs, subcontractor liaison, and full bid documentation. Partnering with project managers, engineers, and clients across multiple concurrent tenders, this role contributes to feasibility determination and the development of future estimating guidelines.

Key Responsibilities

• Actively participate in the management of tenders and business development.
• Estimate costs of projects after researching and compiling relevant details.
• Participate in the functions and activities of the estimation department.
• Confer with project managers, engineers, designers, subcontractors, and vendors on adjustments or changes needed to cost estimates to help determine the feasibility of a project.
• Contribute to estimating policies and systems through research and development, compile relevant reports, and assist in developing guidelines for future estimates.
• Determine the scope of work and contents of the project estimate by preparing a list of bid quantities and items.

Position Requirements

• Minimum three years of experience as a civil estimator in New Zealand.
• Ability to prepare quantity take-offs in an efficient and accurate manner and submit accurate documentation in a timely manner.
• Able to work across multiple tenders and liaise with clients as necessary.
• Proficient at resolving issues with clients and providing the best solutions, showing initiative and the ability to self-manage.
• Strong team player with the ability to communicate well with others.

A key member of the commercial team, the Assistant Estimator executes quotation preparation, supplier liaison, and database maintenance to support the full commercial cycle for current and potential clients. Collaborating with suppliers and clients and working across inbound and outbound commercial activities, this role ensures accurate records and timely quotation delivery that sustain client relationships and business development.

Primary Duties

• Prepare and issue quotations.
• Liaise with suppliers and source new ones.
• Update and maintain the database and systems.
• Liaise with current and potential clients.
• Perform other relevant commercial duties as assigned.

Professional Experience

• Good and accurate literacy, numeracy, and administrative skills.
• Excellent IT skills with good verbal and written communication skills and a strong telephone manner.
• Excellent attention to detail with exceptional administrative and organizational skills.
• Ability to prioritize workload and work effectively as part of a team.
• Detail-oriented, organized, and customer-focused.

Sitting at the intersection of cost analysis and vendor negotiation, the Assistant Estimator creates material take-offs, cost estimates, and bid submissions for construction projects by analyzing drawings, specifications, and vendor quotes. Operating across procurement and internal review functions, this role enables the organization to submit accurate, competitively priced bids that reflect well-organized documentation and meet client requirements.

Core Functions

• Analyze drawings and project specifications to provide material take-offs and cost estimates.
• Identify and quantify cost factors in preparing accurate estimates for projects.
• Establish relationships with key vendors to obtain the best price and negotiate as necessary.
• Organize and analyze quotes received and identify viable options.
• Create and submit estimate reports or bids for review.

Knowledge Skills & Abilities

• Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university preferred, or equivalent experience and training.
• Previous experience with modeling while in school or at a construction company.
• Experience with Pro-Est software is a plus.
• Proficient in Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong leadership qualities and organizational skills.
• Self-motivated, reliable, and highly attentive to detail.
• Comfortable in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment.