Published: Jan 12, 2026 - The Lead Estimator partners with management to understand project scopes, prepare job start packages, maintain the bid schedule, and hand off projects to Production. This position reviews drawings and specifications, performs takeoffs, prepares estimates and proposals, negotiates pricing with suppliers and subcontractors, tracks bid results, and identifies new bid opportunities. The estimator also maintains customer and vendor relationships, provides value-added engineering input, and assists with pricing change orders.

Tips for Lead Estimator Skills and Responsibilities on a Resume
1. Lead Estimator, Pinnacle Construction Services, Fort Collins, CO
Job Summary:
- Develop accurate estimates to support capital investment strategies.
- Evaluate actual vs. estimated costs on all applicable projects and generate cost analysis to make informed decisions based on various implementation strategies.
- Respond efficiently to cost requests from multiple cross-functional groups.
- Develop conceptual and feasibility cost estimates to help leaders make informed decisions.
- Develop and update model budgets for various types of projects by evaluating design information, historical costs, market conditions, and project schedules.
- Participate in value engineering analysis and provide the project team with cost-saving design alternatives.
- Generate scope of work narratives and assumptions for all estimates.
- Facilitate meetings and present estimates to internal clients and cross-functional project teams.
- Maintain market knowledge regarding costs through regular review of industry resources and maintaining strong relationships with general contractors and vendors.
Skills on Resume:
- Cost Estimating (Hard Skills)
- Budget Modeling (Hard Skills)
- Cost Analysis (Hard Skills)
- Value Engineering (Hard Skills)
- Market Research (Hard Skills)
- Scope Definition (Hard Skills)
- Stakeholder Communication (Soft Skills)
- Presentation Skills (Soft Skills)
2. Lead Estimator, HarborPoint Builders Group, Savannah, GA
Job Summary:
- Compiling staff and preliminary schedules.
- Estimating and cost planning.
- Measuring exercises, including preparing schedules of quantities for building elements.
- Reviewing prospects and fact-finding on key related elements.
- Benchmarking costs of carrying out work on existing projects.
- Interfacing with client stakeholders at the business and project levels.
- Liaising with suppliers and sub-contractors as required.
- Benchmarking costs of carrying out work on existing projects.
Skills on Resume:
- Cost Estimating (Hard Skills)
- Cost Planning (Hard Skills)
- Quantity Surveying (Hard Skills)
- Schedule Planning (Hard Skills)
- Cost Benchmarking (Hard Skills)
- Market Research (Hard Skills)
- Client Communication (Soft Skills)
- Supplier Coordination (Soft Skills)
3. Lead Estimator, RedRock Infrastructure Solutions, Amarillo, TX
Job Summary:
- Lead various multidisciplinary estimates and supervise other estimators.
- Prepare detailed cost estimates for the subject discipline.
- Develop and review subcontractor RFT packages.
- Review and analyse subcontractor quotations.
- Review project costs and confirm accuracy of estimate.
- Prepare project bid status reports.
- Ensure compliance with all specifications and contract documentation.
- Attend on-site pre-bid/proposal conferences and site visits.
- Assist project managers with clear, concise documentation at contract commencement.
Skills on Resume:
- Cost Estimating (Hard Skills)
- Estimator Leadership (Soft Skills)
- Bid Preparation (Hard Skills)
- Subcontractor Analysis (Hard Skills)
- Cost Review (Hard Skills)
- Contract Compliance (Hard Skills)
- Report Preparation (Hard Skills)
- Site Coordination (Soft Skills)
4. Lead Estimator, Summit Edge Contracting, Boise, ID
Job Summary:
- Assess client work done to date, including current WBS, execution strategies, logistics, and contract package strategies, package briefs prepared by the client, basis of scope/estimate/schedule, and cost estimates.
- Lead the development of the project estimate and direct the preparation and presentation of the project estimate.
- Ensure that the estimates are assessed against lender equity requirements.
- Assists and is involved with the IPDT engagements with the client and third parties, including interested equity and lender partners.
- Maintain effective working relationships with members of the IPDT and ensure they are correctly informed and engaged in the estimate planning strategy, status, and forward work plans.
- Maintain Corporate relationships, reporting, and governance processes, including Bechtel Functional Management and Bechtel Infrastructure GBU requirements
- Researches and develops or reviews tax estimates, including federal, state, and local tax problems.
- Assists in development or develops foreign currency and exchange rate estimates, and coordinates with Treasury.
- Prepares or reviews contingency, escalation, evaluations, and reconciliations for estimates
- Comparisons of scope, quantities, and cost data between projects.
- Prepares risk models (BECRAC) and performs analysis.
- Prepares or reviews management presentations.
- Effectively presents the estimate Management Review package to the estimate team, Department Management, and Business Line Management.
- Assists in the preparation of the Project Profitability Summary (PPS) and additional data needed to comply
- Prepares/assists in the preparation of proposal cash flows and working capital analysis.
- Ensures lessons learned are incorporated appropriately into the estimates.
Skills on Resume:
- Project Estimating (Hard Skills)
- Cost Analysis (Hard Skills)
- Risk Modeling (Hard Skills)
- Financial Analysis (Hard Skills)
- Contract Evaluation (Hard Skills)
- Stakeholder Management (Soft Skills)
- Leadership Coordination (Soft Skills)
- Executive Presentation (Soft Skills)
5. Lead Estimator, BlueField Commercial Renovations, Rochester, NY
Job Summary:
- Work with the management team to ensure a complete understanding of the scope of work.
- Complete job start packages and convey projects to Production for completion.
- Maintains the bid schedule matrix and schedules all estimating department activities.
- Maintains and expands relationships with customers and vendors.
- Review specifications and drawings, attend pre-bid meetings, etc., to determine and prepare scopes of work and required contents of various budgets, pre-con proposals, and hard bids.
- Prepare estimates by taking off the assigned scopes of work.
- Negotiate pricing terms with material suppliers and subcontractors.
- Prepare bid general conditions and review with management and production before bid submittal.
- Assist with pricing change orders.
- Maintain and track bid results.
- Provide value-added engineering solutions to customers/clients.
- Monitor bid websites for opportunities.
Skills on Resume:
- Scope Analysis (Hard Skills)
- Cost Estimating (Hard Skills)
- Quantity Takeoff (Hard Skills)
- Bid Management (Hard Skills)
- Schedule Coordination (Hard Skills)
- Price Negotiation (Soft Skills)
- Vendor Relations (Soft Skills)
- Value Engineering (Hard Skills)
6. Lead Estimator, Crescent Valley Mechanical Contractors, Baton Rouge, LA
Job Summary:
- Confirm and review the project budget for roofing jobs
- Analyze change orders and revise budgets before construction
- Confirm subcontractor scope of work
- Complete the necessary forms to procure permits
- Review the information required to generate commission calculations
- Analyze contracts, photos, and site assessment documentation to prepare a scope of work for labor and bill of materials
- Prepare estimates used by management for purposes such as planning, organizing, and scheduling work.
- Confer with sales representatives, homeowners, and subcontractors on changes and adjustments to cost estimates.
- Assess cost cost-effectiveness of products, projects, or services
- Analyze low-margin projects and provide recommendations
- Prepare a report detailing labor and materials costs as requested
- Hold daily meetings with the team and provide weekly progress reports to leadership
- Assist the sales team with product or installation questions
Skills on Resume:
- Budget Review (Hard Skills)
- Cost Analysis (Hard Skills)
- Change Management (Hard Skills)
- Scope Definition (Hard Skills)
- Contract Review (Hard Skills)
- Estimate Preparation (Hard Skills)
- Stakeholder Communication (Soft Skills)
- Team Coordination (Soft Skills)
7. Lead Estimator, IronGate Industrial Builders, Youngstown, OH
Job Summary:
- Assess opportunities for potential construction projects
- Develop quotes for the scope of work (civil, mechanical, and electrical installation) using construction estimating software (ConEst), based on proposed drawings and sketches
- Create total cost estimates for installation work
- Calculate various project costs such as materials, labor, and equipment
- Collaborate cross-departmentally to provide information regarding estimated costs and market values
- Develop and issue Request for Proposals, which include vendors, suppliers, and subcontractors
- Communicate with contractors to obtain estimates and bid clarification
- Develop relationships with vendors to properly assess costs and effectively reduce overall expenditures
- Eventually, build a team of estimators
Skills on Resume:
- Opportunity Assessment (Hard Skills)
- Cost Estimating (Hard Skills)
- ConEst Software (Hard Skills)
- Cost Calculation (Hard Skills)
- RFP Development (Hard Skills)
- Vendor Relations (Soft Skills)
- Bid Communication (Soft Skills)
- Team Leadership (Soft Skills)
8. Lead Estimator, Maple Ridge Development Corp, Madison, WI
Job Summary:
- Analyze and identify the scope of work from existing conditions, plans, and specifications through all phases of design and construction.
- Perform accurate quantity surveys for all types of construction systems and materials
- Obtain labor rates, taxes, and insurance requirements, as needed for estimate development.
- Develop contractor-style construction cost estimates and prepare a basis of estimate as required by the Estimating Manager in accordance with the program requirements
- Ensure all estimates are accurate and have considered all risk factors.
- Review designs and specifications for cost-effectiveness and suggest appropriate alternatives
- Participate in client or 3rd party reconciliations
- Review Contractor Detail Change Order Requests and determine material requirements, processing, and job routing
- Create detailed, market-related owner’s cost estimate for scope change, work delays, etc., for assigned projects
- Assist the Resident Engineers and Project Managers with change analysis and development and/or validation of control budgets.
- Maintain an operating awareness of all contract issues and project participants
- Participate in client and contractor negotiations to resolve contract changes and claims
Skills on Resume:
- Scope Analysis (Hard Skills)
- Quantity Surveying (Hard Skills)
- Cost Estimating (Hard Skills)
- Risk Assessment (Hard Skills)
- Value Engineering (Hard Skills)
- Change Order (Hard Skills)
- Contract Review (Hard Skills)
- Negotiation Skills (Soft Skills)
9. Lead Estimator, SilverPeak Construction & Design, Reno, NV
Job Summary:
- Leads and performs all pre-construction estimating activities related to dredging, marine piling, and marine structures, from conceptual through working drawings, during pre-construction phases of the project.
- Works with Design Managers and others as required to develop methodologies for site activities
- Coordinates resources and workload to ensure timely delivery of tenders, working with Bid Writers as applicable on major tenders
- Performs quantity take-offs and pricing from the concept design stage to the working document stage.
- Continually checks the work product for accuracy and completeness.
- Investigates and recommends best industry practices and standards
- Participates in site visits, design reviews, contract negotiations, etc.
- Work as a team to help get the most defined and cost-effective estimate to the customer
- Read and interpret Contract Drawings and Specifications
Skills on Resume:
- Marine Estimating (Hard Skills)
- Quantity Takeoff (Hard Skills)
- Methodology Planning (Hard Skills)
- Bid Coordination (Hard Skills)
- Cost Accuracy (Hard Skills)
- Industry Research (Hard Skills)
- Contract Interpretation (Hard Skills)
- Team Collaboration (Soft Skills)
10. Lead Estimator, Everline Structural Services, Spokane, WA
Job Summary:
- High-level estimates of design options to identify the best options
- Assist in the development of the WBS for pricing and scheduling the project
- Assist the scheduler in developing the project schedule
- Create and manage procurement packages
- Develop and submit RFI’s
- Estimate projects in HCSS Heavybid using first principles estimating
- Conduct a quote comparison of vendor pricing
- Use the estimating software to Compute Labor, Material, Shipping Costs, etc.
- Obtain Bids from Subcontractors and Suppliers
- Documentation of daily activities, meeting information, phone conversations, etc.
Skills on Resume:
- Conceptual Estimating (Hard Skills)
- WBS Development (Hard Skills)
- Schedule Coordination (Hard Skills)
- Procurement Management (Hard Skills)
- HCSS HeavyBid (Hard Skills)
- Cost Calculation (Hard Skills)
- Vendor Comparison (Hard Skills)
- Documentation Skills (Soft Skills)