Summary

Our client is a growing residential construction company seeking an experienced Senior Residential Construction Estimator to join their team in San Diego, CA. The company specializes in custom homes, modular and prefabricated housing, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), home additions, and multifamily residential projects. This position will play a critical role in preconstruction, developing accurate cost estimates, project budgets, and competitive proposals for residential construction projects.

The ideal candidate will have 5+ years of construction estimating experience, with a strong background in ground-up residential construction, custom homes, ADUs, or residential development. Candidates should possess extensive knowledge of construction methods, material and labor costs, subcontractor pricing, and the Southern California residential construction market. Experience with modular, manufactured, or prefabricated construction is highly desirable but not required.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Construction Estimating & Preconstruction

  • Prepare detailed cost estimates for ground-up residential construction, custom homes, modular and prefabricated housing, ADUs, home additions, and small multifamily developments.

  • Review architectural drawings, structural plans, engineering documents, specifications, and construction documents to determine project scope and requirements.

  • Perform comprehensive material and quantity takeoffs, including labor, equipment, subcontractor costs, and other construction expenses.

  • Develop complete project estimates incorporating direct costs, general conditions, overhead, contingencies, and anticipated profit margins.

  • Utilize estimating software such as Bluebeam, PlanSwift, STACK, On-Screen Takeoff, Revit, or similar platforms.

  • Conduct site visits to evaluate existing conditions, identify construction challenges, and verify project requirements.

  • Identify potential cost risks, scope discrepancies, constructability concerns, and value engineering opportunities.

  • Ensure estimates are accurate, competitive, and aligned with project specifications and construction requirements.

• Subcontractor & Vendor Coordination

  • Solicit and evaluate subcontractor bids, supplier quotations, and material pricing.

  • Prepare detailed bid comparisons to evaluate subcontractor proposals for completeness, accuracy, and competitiveness.

  • Coordinate with subcontractors and vendors to clarify scope requirements, pricing assumptions, and project specifications.

  • Develop and maintain relationships with subcontractors, vendors, and suppliers throughout San Diego and Southern California.

  • Monitor construction material pricing, labor costs, and regional market conditions to maintain accurate estimating data.

  • Identify potential pricing gaps and recommend cost-effective construction solutions.

  • Support subcontractor selection and procurement planning during preconstruction.

• Project Budgeting & Proposal Development

  • Develop comprehensive project budgets and construction cost breakdowns.

  • Prepare professional bid packages, project estimates, and construction proposals for management and clients.

  • Evaluate project costs and provide recommendations to support budgeting and financial planning.

  • Review construction scopes to ensure estimates account for all required materials, labor, equipment, and subcontracted work.

  • Assist with project pricing strategies and value engineering recommendations.

  • Maintain accurate estimating documentation, assumptions, and cost records.

  • Support project budget reviews and revisions throughout the preconstruction process.

• Residential & Modular Construction Estimating

  • Estimate construction costs for custom homes, ADUs, residential additions, and multifamily developments.

  • Support estimating activities for modular, prefabricated, manufactured, and off-site construction projects when applicable.

  • Evaluate construction methods, materials, and installation requirements for traditional and modular residential construction.

  • Account for site preparation, foundations, utility connections, transportation, and installation costs when applicable to modular projects.

  • Coordinate with design and production teams to ensure estimates reflect construction and manufacturing requirements.

  • Identify opportunities to improve cost efficiency through alternative construction methods and materials.

  • Maintain awareness of residential construction practices and market conditions throughout Southern California.

• Project Coordination & Preconstruction Support

  • Collaborate with Project Managers, architects, engineers, purchasing personnel, and construction teams throughout the estimating process.

  • Participate in preconstruction meetings and project planning discussions.

  • Coordinate with design and production teams to confirm construction requirements and project specifications.

  • Review project documents for completeness and identify missing information or potential design conflicts.

  • Support project handoffs to construction operations, ensuring budgets, assumptions, and scope requirements are clearly communicated.

  • Provide estimating support during design development and project planning.

  • Assist with resolving cost-related questions and scope changes before construction begins.

• Cost Analysis, Quality & Regulatory Compliance

  • Ensure estimates account for applicable California building codes, Title 24 requirements, local permitting regulations, and construction standards.

  • Review architectural and engineering documents to identify potential compliance or constructability concerns.

  • Analyze historical project costs to improve estimating accuracy and competitiveness.

  • Maintain and update estimating databases, cost records, templates, and pricing information.

  • Identify opportunities to improve estimating procedures, efficiency, and profitability.

  • Support continuous improvement initiatives related to cost forecasting, estimating systems, and project budgeting.

  • Maintain consistent standards for estimate accuracy, documentation, and quality.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Required Experience

  • Minimum 5 years of construction estimating experience, preferably with a residential general contractor, custom home builder, residential developer, or modular construction company.

  • Demonstrated experience estimating ground-up residential construction projects, including custom homes, ADUs, additions, or multifamily developments.

  • Strong understanding of residential construction methods, materials, labor costs, construction sequencing, and subcontractor pricing.

  • Proven ability to perform detailed quantity takeoffs and develop comprehensive construction budgets.

  • Experience preparing construction bids, proposals, and project cost estimates.

  • Ability to read and interpret architectural drawings, structural plans, engineering documents, and construction specifications.

  • Experience coordinating with subcontractors, suppliers, and construction project teams.

  • Familiarity with California residential building codes and Southern California construction practices.

• Construction Estimating & Technical Skills

  • Advanced knowledge of residential construction estimating, quantity takeoffs, and cost analysis.

  • Strong understanding of ground-up residential construction, foundations, framing, finishes, and related building systems.

  • Ability to evaluate labor, material, equipment, and subcontractor costs.

  • Experience developing detailed project budgets, bid comparisons, and cost breakdowns.

  • Understanding of construction scheduling, project sequencing, and preconstruction planning.

  • Ability to identify scope discrepancies, constructability issues, and potential cost risks.

  • Knowledge of value engineering and cost optimization strategies.

  • Familiarity with residential permitting requirements and California Title 24 standards.

• Estimating Software & Computer Skills

  • Proficiency with construction estimating software such as Bluebeam, PlanSwift, STACK, On-Screen Takeoff, or similar platforms.

  • Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including estimating spreadsheets, cost calculations, and budget tracking.

  • Ability to work with digital construction drawings and technical documentation.

  • Familiarity with Revit or other construction design and estimating platforms is beneficial.

  • Experience maintaining estimating databases, cost histories, and standardized estimating templates.

  • Ability to learn and utilize additional construction management and estimating software as needed.

• Professional Skills

  • Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.

  • Strong attention to detail and commitment to estimating accuracy.

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

  • Ability to manage multiple estimates, competing priorities, and bidding deadlines.

  • Strong time management and project coordination skills.

  • Ability to collaborate effectively with architects, engineers, Project Managers, subcontractors, and vendors.

  • Strong financial awareness and understanding of construction profitability.

  • Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and capable of working independently.

• Preferred Education & Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, or a related field, or equivalent relevant construction experience.

  • Previous experience as a Senior Estimator, Construction Estimator, or Preconstruction Estimator within residential construction.

  • Experience estimating custom homes, luxury residential projects, ADUs, and small multifamily developments.

  • Background in modular, manufactured, prefabricated, or off-site construction.

  • Familiarity with transportation, installation, and site preparation costs associated with modular housing.

  • Established knowledge of subcontractor pricing and construction market conditions throughout San Diego and Southern California.

  • Experience improving estimating processes, templates, and historical cost databases.

• Work Environment & Location

  • Position based in the San Diego, CA area.

  • Work involves construction estimating, preconstruction planning, and collaboration with project teams.

  • Site visits may be required to evaluate existing conditions and project requirements.

  • Ability to manage multiple estimates and meet project bidding deadlines.