Construction Estimator

Company: Odyssey Contracting
Location: Southeast U.S.
Employment Type: Full-Time

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Position Overview

Odyssey Contracting is seeking a detail-oriented Construction Estimator responsible for producing accurate, disciplined estimates that protect margin, reduce risk, and support smooth project execution. This role owns the technical pricing and scope validation between Sales and Production, ensuring every job is properly defined, costed, and aligned with Odyssey’s financial targets.

The Estimator is not a guesser or template filler—this role requires analytical rigor, construction knowledge, and financial discipline.

Core Responsibilities

Estimating & Takeoffs

• Prepare detailed estimates for residential and light commercial projects.
• Perform material takeoffs based on plans, site data, and scopes.
• Quantify labor, materials, equipment, and subcontractor costs.
• Validate constructability, sequencing, and scope completeness.
• Identify missing information, conflicts, or risk items prior to pricing.

Scope Development & Validation

• Review scopes developed by Sales for completeness and clarity.
• Clarify inclusions, exclusions, allowances, and assumptions.
• Standardize scope language to align with Odyssey SOPs.
• Prevent scope gaps that cause change orders or margin erosion.
• Support Sales with scope clarification prior to proposal presentation.

Pricing & Margin Protection

• Apply approved pricing models, overhead rates, and margin targets.
• Ensure estimates meet or exceed required gross margin thresholds.
• Identify cost risks, volatility, and escalation exposure.
• Flag jobs that fall outside acceptable risk or profitability ranges.
• Support leadership with pricing strategy and scenario analysis.

Subcontractor & Vendor Coordination

• Solicit and evaluate subcontractor bids when required.
• Compare bids for scope alignment, pricing accuracy, and risk.
• Maintain up-to-date cost databases for materials and trades.
• Coordinate with Purchasing on pricing updates and vendor changes.
• Validate subcontractor scopes prior to inclusion in estimates.

Sales & Production Support

• Work closely with Sales during pricing refinement and revisions.
• Assist with value engineering and alternates when needed.
• Support Project Managers with pre-construction clarification.
• Participate in job handoff meetings as required.
• Provide estimating support for change orders and revisions.

Documentation & Systems

• Maintain organized estimate files, takeoffs, and backup documentation.
• Ensure all estimates are documented and auditable.
• Upload estimates, scopes, and assumptions into the CRM.
• Maintain version control on revised estimates.
• Support continuous improvement of estimating templates and SOPs.

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of construction estimating experience.
• Strong understanding of residential or light commercial construction.
• Ability to read and interpret plans, specifications, and scopes.
• Proficiency in material takeoffs and cost analysis.
• Strong math, analytical, and attention-to-detail skills.
• Ability to manage multiple estimates simultaneously.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with remodels, additions, decks, roofing, or structural work.
• Familiarity with construction accounting and job costing principles.
• Experience working with CRM-integrated estimating workflows.
• Experience supporting sales-driven construction organizations.
• Background in purchasing or vendor negotiations.

Key Traits for Success at Odyssey Contracting

• Detail-obsessed and process-driven.
• Financially disciplined and margin-aware.
• Comfortable pushing back on incomplete scopes.
• Proactive risk identifier.
• Calm under pressure with tight deadlines.
• Aligns with Odyssey’s high-end, professional standards.

Performance Metrics

• Estimate accuracy vs. final job cost.
• Gross margin performance.
• Reduction in scope gaps and rework.
• Change order frequency attributable to estimating errors.
• Turnaround time on estimates.
• Documentation accuracy and completeness.

Why Join Odyssey Contracting

• Clear pricing systems and expectations.
• Strong collaboration between Sales, Estimating, and Production.
• Leadership that values accuracy over speed alone.
• Opportunity to grow into Senior Estimator or Preconstruction leadership.
• Be a key protector of profitability and execution quality.