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Preconstruction Senior Estimator (ORLANDO)

Careerbuddy

Job Location:

Orlando, FL - USA

Monthly Salary: Not provided by the employer

Posted: 2 October 2026 (3 hours ago)

Application Deadline: 30 December 2026

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Introduction to the role

Great projects start with accurate numbers thoughtful planning and a clear understanding of what it takes to build them. A commercial and institutional construction company in Orlando FL is looking for a Preconstruction Senior Estimator to lead detailed estimating and cost planning for major construction projects.

In this role you will turn drawings specifications and project requirements into accurate and defensible cost models. You will work closely with Preconstruction Managers subcontractors vendors design teams and clients to support budgeting value engineering bid development and GMP finalization while helping establish a strong financial foundation for profitable project delivery.

Who are we looking for

You are an experienced commercial construction estimator with 710 years of dedicated estimating experience.
You are highly analytical and comfortable breaking down complex drawings specifications and bid documents into detailed quantities and costs.
You are confident working across CSI divisions and trade-specific cost evaluations.
You are highly detail-oriented and take pride in producing accurate well-documented estimates.
You are experienced with negotiated Construction Management design-assist and ideally design-build project delivery.
You are commercially minded and understand how estimating decisions can affect project profitability.
You are a strong communicator who can build productive relationships with subcontractors vendors design teams clients and internal leadership.
You are organized and able to manage multiple estimates and tight bid deadlines without compromising quality.
You are comfortable supporting value engineering and making cost recommendations during the design process.
You are committed to continuous improvement and understand the importance of maintaining reliable cost histories and pricing databases.

Your Responsibilities

Estimating & Cost Analysis

You will prepare detailed quantity takeoffs and comprehensive cost analyses across all project scopes.
You will review drawings specifications contract documents and design details to develop accurate preliminary and final estimates.
You will perform constructibility reviews and identify scope gaps assumptions exclusions and potential cost risks.
You will evaluate trade-specific costs across relevant CSI divisions and reconcile subcontractor proposals.
You will lead subcontractor and vendor communication for bid solicitation scope reviews clarification and bid levelling.
You will prepare clear bid summaries and cost comparisons that support informed project decisions.
You will develop and maintain cost histories and pricing databases to strengthen future estimates and benchmarking.

Design-Phase Support & Value Engineering

You will support value engineering efforts by evaluating alternative materials systems and construction approaches.
You will provide early-stage cost input for design-assist and design-build projects to help teams make informed design decisions.
You will collaborate with design teams clients and Preconstruction Managers to develop preliminary budgets and cost narratives.
You will help ensure estimates remain aligned with design intent project objectives schedule requirements and cost targets.

Contract & GMP Support

You will work with Preconstruction Managers to review contract requirements identify cost risks and support GMP development.
You will prepare detailed GMP proposals with appropriate contingencies markups overhead allocations and supporting documentation.
You will develop scopes of work that clearly communicate project assumptions inclusions and exclusions.
You will ensure estimates are complete defensible and aligned with company standards and project risk profiles.

Collaboration & Continuous Improvement

You will work closely with internal teams to improve estimating processes accuracy and consistency.
You will incorporate lessons learned from completed projects into future estimates and pricing strategies.
You will support client meetings project walkthroughs and other preconstruction activities when required.
You will travel periodically to active jobsites client meetings and project walkthroughs across central Florida.

What Success looks like

Estimates are accurate complete and delivered within established bid deadlines.
Quantity takeoffs and cost analyses provide comprehensive coverage across all relevant project scopes.
Subcontractor bids are well-solicited clearly scoped and effectively levelled.
Pricing databases and cost histories are consistently maintained and provide reliable benchmarks for future estimates.
Value engineering recommendations identify measurable cost opportunities without compromising project quality or schedule.
GMP proposals are finalized accurately with appropriate contingencies markups and risk allowances.
Estimates clearly communicate assumptions exclusions scope gaps and cost risks.
Bid accuracy and project profitability consistently improve through strong estimating practices and lessons learned.

To be considered for this role you should have

710 years of commercial construction estimating experience.
Experience estimating major commercial institutional structural or heavy construction projects.
Strong knowledge of CSI divisions and trade-specific cost evaluation.
Advanced proficiency with construction takeoff and estimating software.
Demonstrated experience with negotiated Construction Management and design-assist project delivery.
Experience supporting design-build projects is an advantage.
Strong understanding of construction sequencing building systems and how design decisions affect project costs.
Experience with quantity takeoffs subcontractor solicitation bid levelling cost analysis and scope development.
Experience supporting value engineering preliminary budgeting and GMP development.
A Bachelors degree in Construction Management Civil Engineering or a related field is strongly preferred or an equivalent combination of field experience and technical training.
Strong analytical communication negotiation organizational and time-management skills.
Must be a U.S. Citizen or Green Card holder.
Must be a local candidate in Orlando FL.

Challenges you may face in this role

Managing multiple complex estimates and tight bid deadlines while maintaining accuracy.
Identifying scope gaps and cost risks when project documentation is still evolving.
Balancing design flexibility with the need for reliable and transparent project budgets.
Reconciling different subcontractor proposals and ensuring accurate scope coverage across trades.
Developing competitive pricing while protecting project profitability.
Supporting GMP development when design details quantities and project requirements continue to change.
Maintaining pricing accuracy in a market where material labor and subcontractor costs can change.

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