Balfour Beatty
Lead Estimator
Become Part of Our Team
As an industry leader Balfour Beatty offers employees a comprehensive benefits package with competitive salaries and more including:
- Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance
- Health Savings Account
- 401(k) with company match
- Flexible Spending Accounts (Dependent & Medical Reimbursement)
- Vacation Time
- Sick Time
- Holidays
- Paid Volunteer time
- Tuition Assistance
- Employee Referral Bonus
Summary
The Lead Estimator is responsible for preparing budgets, estimates, and pre-bid packages for construction projects to be built for clients under the CM at Risk guaranteed maximum pricing structure. Responsibilities also include working with the project management team in establishing a bidders list, soliciting and evaluating subcontractor proposals and scopes of work, preparing quantity surveys and reviewing project plans and specifications for constructability and value engineering in all CSI (Construction Specification Institute) categories of work. Some supervision of other estimators, intern/co-op students, or project engineers adhering to our Safety/Zero Harm culture.
Essential Functions
- Performs quantity takeoffs
- Manages multiple projects concurrently
- May assist the project management team
- Attends project site pre-bid meetings, site tours, and post-bid interviews
- Develops unit costs
- Develops and analyzes value management analysis options
- Performs technical/plan review
- Considers and understands problems, and identifies solutions
- Knowledge in building designs, systems and construction materials
- Assess and plans takeoff workload.
- Proficient in all computer software programs used in pre-construction with particular emphasis on estimating software (e.g. MC2, On-Screen Takeoff (OST), Paydirt, Constructware, and іSqFt)
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Building Construction or Civil Engineering.
- 8-10 years of Estimating or Pre-construction experience and/or operations experience on commercial construction projects
- 2 years direct supervisory experience
- Knowledgeable in some or all of the following: civil/site construction, foundation and structural systems, interior finishes, exterior wall systems, mechanical and electrical systems and the costs of these systems
- Must possess knowledge of exterior building wall systems and interior finish construction systems
- Must demonstrate knowledge of construction details about miscellaneous metals, casework, doors, specialties, radiation protection, and other trades
- Computer skills including the ability to use estimating software (like MC2), word processing, spreadsheets, bid management, online plan rooms, database applications and company communication tools, such as email, the internet, and Microsoft products (e.g., Word, Excel, Office, Outlook)
- Estimating software experience (e.g. Destini, Sage Timberline, Mc2, OnScreen Takeoff)
Preferred Experience
- Estimating experience with K-12 & Higher Education facilities, Correctional facilities, Highrise multifamily, Hospitality, Student Housing, and Wood-frame.
- Experience with estimating software- Destini Estimator, AgTek, Sitework, JOIN software
About us
Balfour Beatty US is an industry-leading provider of general contracting, at-risk construction management and design-build services for public and private sector clients across the nation. Performing heavy civil and vertical construction, our teams build the unique structures and infrastructure that play an important role in how people live, work, learn and play in our communities. Our teammates have an instinctive passion for innovating that is fueled by a relentless curiosity, a drive to employ lean practices and processes and the determination to find a better way. Through Zero Harm®, we are challenging the construction industry’s assumptions about safety. We believe that no level of harm should come to anyone as a result of our business.
Consistently ranked among the nation’s largest building contractors by Engineering News-Record, our US business is a subsidiary of London-based Balfour Beatty plc (LSE: BBY).
Balfour Beatty is an equal opportunity employer that recognizes the value of a diverse workforce. All qualified individuals will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other criteria protected by federal, state or local law.
Accessibility:
Phone: (214) 468-4700
Email:BBTalent@balfourbeattyus.com
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
View your Equal Employment Opportunity rights under the law:
“Know Your Rights” PosterPay Transparency Notice
Freqently Asked Questions
In Douglasville's competitive construction market, a Lead Estimator plays a pivotal role in cost control by preparing precise budgets and evaluating subcontractor bids. Their expertise ensures projects stay within guaranteed maximum pricing, which is critical for balancing client expectations and company profitability.
Estimators in Georgia, especially near Douglasville, often navigate region-specific factors like local labor costs, material availability, and weather impacts on scheduling. Understanding these nuances helps Estimators develop more accurate bids and manage risks effectively within the Southeast construction landscape.
Lead Estimators typically showcase advanced skills in software like MC2 and On-Screen Takeoff, coupled with deep knowledge of structural systems and value engineering. They also supervise teams and handle complex bid negotiations, setting them apart from Junior Estimators who focus more on foundational quantity takeoffs.
Progression often leads toward senior management roles in project control or construction management. Exposure to multi-project oversight and collaboration with project managers at Balfour Beatty equips Lead Estimators with leadership and strategic skills essential for executive positions in construction operations.
Daily tasks encompass detailed quantity takeoffs, subcontractor bid assessments, and conducting plan reviews for constructability. Estimators also participate in pre-bid site tours and collaborate on value engineering to optimize project budgets, reflecting the hands-on, analytical nature of the role.
Balfour Beatty’s commitment to zero harm safety culture and emphasis on lean construction practices elevate the Lead Estimator’s role. The company’s focus on innovative solutions and comprehensive benefits also creates a distinctive environment that supports long-term professional growth.
Douglasville’s construction sector has seen growing demand for experienced Estimators, with competition intensifying for leadership positions like Lead Estimator. Candidates with strong software proficiency and supervisory experience tend to stand out in this vibrant regional job market.
Lead Estimators in Douglasville typically earn between $85,000 and $110,000 annually, influenced by experience and project complexity. This range aligns with commercial construction industry standards in the Southeast, factoring in Balfour Beatty’s competitive compensation philosophy.
Yes, Balfour Beatty equips Lead Estimators with access to advanced estimating software such as MC2 and Destini, along with ongoing training to refine skills in value management and bid analysis, fostering a technologically empowered approach to pre-construction planning.
The company’s zero harm safety ethos and emphasis on innovation require Lead Estimators to prioritize risk mitigation and continuous process improvement. This culture encourages proactive problem-solving and collaboration, shaping estimators into strategic contributors beyond traditional cost estimation.
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