Summary

Our client is an established Southern California general contractor and electrical contractor with more than 30 years of experience delivering private and public construction projects throughout California and select locations in Arizona. Their portfolio includes manufacturing, aerospace, municipal, education, healthcare, and other complex commercial and industrial facilities.

They are seeking an experienced Construction Estimator to join their team in Diamond Bar, CA. This position will play an important role in developing accurate, competitive, and comprehensive cost estimates for commercial, industrial, electrical, and public works construction projects. The successful candidate will work closely with project management, engineering, field operations, subcontractors, and vendors to evaluate project requirements, identify potential risks, and support successful bidding and preconstruction activities.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in construction estimating, preferably involving electrical construction, commercial projects, and public works. An engineering background is highly valued, particularly for candidates with strong technical knowledge, analytical capabilities, and the ability to evaluate complex construction requirements. Candidates with relevant engineering or construction experience who demonstrate strong estimating potential will also be considered.

This opportunity is well suited for a detail-oriented professional who combines technical expertise with sound judgment, strong organizational skills, and a commitment to producing accurate, competitive estimates.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Construction Estimating & Cost Analysis

  • Prepare detailed and competitive cost estimates for commercial, industrial, electrical, institutional, and public works construction projects.

  • Review construction drawings, specifications, bid documents, scopes of work, and contract requirements to develop comprehensive estimates.

  • Perform detailed quantity takeoffs and calculate material, labor, equipment, subcontractor, and other project-related costs.

  • Evaluate construction methods, material requirements, labor productivity, equipment needs, and project logistics.

  • Research current material pricing, labor costs, subcontractor rates, and relevant market conditions.

  • Develop conceptual, preliminary, and detailed estimates as appropriate to project requirements.

  • Ensure estimates are accurate, properly documented, and completed within established bid deadlines.

• Bid Preparation & Subcontractor Coordination

  • Review bid packages and identify project requirements, scope limitations, exclusions, and potential risks.

  • Solicit competitive pricing from subcontractors, suppliers, and equipment vendors.

  • Evaluate subcontractor proposals for scope completeness, pricing accuracy, and compliance with project specifications.

  • Identify gaps, overlaps, discrepancies, and inconsistencies between subcontractor proposals and contract documents.

  • Prepare bid comparisons, cost breakdowns, estimate summaries, and supporting documentation for management review.

  • Coordinate bid clarifications and obtain additional pricing information when necessary.

  • Support the preparation and timely submission of complete and competitive construction proposals.

• Electrical, Commercial & Public Works Estimating

  • Evaluate estimating requirements associated with commercial, industrial, and public-sector construction projects.

  • Review electrical construction scopes and coordinate related estimating activities when applicable.

  • Assess technical drawings, specifications, and installation requirements to identify project cost drivers.

  • Consider project-specific labor requirements, construction sequencing, material availability, and site conditions when developing estimates.

  • Review applicable public works bid requirements, contractual provisions, and project-specific compliance obligations.

  • Coordinate with technical personnel and specialty subcontractors to clarify complex construction requirements.

  • Identify opportunities to improve estimate accuracy and competitiveness across different project types.

• Preconstruction & Value Engineering

  • Collaborate with Project Managers, Superintendents, engineers, and other project stakeholders during preconstruction.

  • Review proposed construction methods and identify potential constructability issues.

  • Evaluate alternative materials, equipment, and construction approaches to identify cost-saving opportunities.

  • Assist with developing competitive bid strategies and value engineering recommendations.

  • Review project schedules and construction sequencing to evaluate labor, equipment, and resource impacts.

  • Identify potential project risks, cost uncertainties, and scope discrepancies before bid submission.

  • Provide technical input and estimating recommendations to support informed management decisions.

• Project Cost Support & Estimating Documentation

  • Assist with project budget development, change order pricing, and additional cost analyses as needed.

  • Maintain accurate estimating records, quantity takeoffs, subcontractor quotations, and supporting documentation.

  • Organize bid files, pricing information, estimate revisions, and historical cost data.

  • Support the transition of awarded projects from estimating to project management and field operations.

  • Communicate estimate assumptions, scope considerations, exclusions, and potential risks during project handoff.

  • Collaborate with project teams to evaluate cost impacts associated with design changes or revised project requirements.

  • Contribute to improvements in estimating procedures, cost tracking, and overall preconstruction efficiency.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Required Experience & Technical Background

  • Experience in construction estimating, preconstruction, engineering, project management, or a closely related construction discipline.

  • Strong understanding of commercial and industrial construction methods, materials, and project requirements.

  • Ability to read, interpret, and analyze construction drawings, specifications, plans, and technical documents.

  • Knowledge of construction cost components, including materials, labor, equipment, subcontractors, and project-related expenses.

  • Experience or demonstrated capability in quantity takeoffs, cost analysis, subcontractor bid evaluation, and estimate preparation.

  • Ability to identify scope gaps, design discrepancies, constructability concerns, and potential project risks.

  • Strong mathematical, analytical, and technical problem-solving abilities.

  • Ability to develop accurate estimates while managing multiple bids and competing deadlines.

• Technical Skills & Estimating Software

  • Proficiency with Microsoft Excel for estimating calculations, cost analysis, and bid documentation.

  • Familiarity with construction estimating software, digital takeoff tools, and project management platforms.

  • Ability to evaluate technical drawings, construction specifications, and subcontractor proposals.

  • Understanding of construction scheduling, project sequencing, and their potential impact on project costs.

  • Strong attention to detail when reviewing estimates, pricing information, and contractual requirements.

  • Experience with Bluebeam, Procore, or comparable construction software preferred.

• Professional Skills

  • Excellent organizational, time-management, and prioritization skills.

  • Strong written and verbal communication abilities.

  • Ability to collaborate effectively with Project Managers, Superintendents, engineers, subcontractors, vendors, and company leadership.

  • Strong analytical thinking and attention to detail.

  • Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative preconstruction team.

  • Sound judgment when evaluating cost assumptions, scope requirements, and potential project risks.

  • Ability to manage multiple estimates simultaneously and consistently meet bid deadlines.

  • Proactive approach to problem-solving, technical coordination, and continuous improvement.

• Preferred Education & Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related technical field.

  • Previous estimating experience with a general contractor, electrical contractor, or commercial construction company.

  • Electrical construction estimating experience strongly preferred.

  • Experience estimating commercial construction and public works projects.

  • Background in industrial, manufacturing, aerospace, municipal, education, healthcare, or other technically complex construction environments.

  • Experience reviewing public works bid packages, project specifications, and contractual requirements.

  • Strong engineering background with the ability to evaluate complex construction methods and technical requirements.

  • Familiarity with value engineering, constructability reviews, and preconstruction cost analysis.

  • Professional Engineer (PE) license is welcome but not required.

  • Candidates with strong engineering or construction experience and demonstrated estimating potential will be considered, even if their direct electrical estimating experience is limited.

• Work Location & Travel Requirements

  • Must be able to work fully onsite in Diamond Bar, CA.

  • Ability to travel to construction jobsites and other project locations as needed.

  • Ability to collaborate with office-based preconstruction personnel and field construction teams.

  • Flexibility to accommodate project bid schedules and time-sensitive estimating deadlines.