Project Estimator - Cleveland

Posted Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at 4:00 AM About the Company – Celebrating 100 Years of Building Community & 100% Employee-Owned Higley Construction has been one of the most experienced and respected construction firms in the region. The company surpassed 100 years in business—a century shaped by an unwavering commitment to its core values of people, ethics, respect, commitment, and excellence. Since its founding in 1925, Higley Construction has partnered with clients to bring their goals and visions to life, consistently guided by honesty, integrity, and mutual respect. At Higley Construction, we build more than buildings — we build trust, relationships, and communities. From the offices where you work, to the schools where you learn, and the hospitals where you heal, we create environments where people can live, work, and thrive. With every project, we go beyond bricks and mortar to connect people and place , delivering spaces that stand the test of time. As a 100% Employee-Owned Company, we foster a culture of shared success, job stability, and long-term financial growth for all employees. Within the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), you're building more than a career — you're building ownership. Position Overview: Higley Construction is seeking a Project Estimator to support our preconstruction team by developing accurate and thorough estimates across a diverse range of commercial construction projects. The Project Estimator will work alongside senior estimators and preconstruction managers to quantify scope, analyze documents, and interact with subcontractors and vendors throughout the preconstruction process. This role involves exposure to both conceptual estimating and competitive bid environments, offering significant growth opportunities for those seeking to become subject matter experts. Responsibilities: Support the development of design-phase estimates, including concept, schematic, design development, and construction document-level pricing. Assist in preparing detailed quantity takeoffs across a variety of CSI divisions. Help prepare bid packages and participate in competitive lump sum bid efforts, including , document management, invitations to bid, completion of front-end requirements, setting up bid forms, tracking RFIs, and analyzing subcontractor bids. Work closely with the project team to ensure scopes are comprehensive and aligned with drawings, specs, and project goals. Identify scope gaps or design omissions and flag potential cost, scope, or schedule risks for review. Collaborate with project teams to create and validate preliminary General Conditions based on project type and scale. Assist with the preparation of estimate clarifications, assumptions narratives , and deviation reports . Participate in the review of progress drawings and specifications for constructability and completeness. Work directly with vendors and subcontractors to obtain and validate pricing, product and labor availability, and unit costs. Attend internal and external meetings to present estimate data and discuss budget alignment and value opportunities. Conceptual estimating including c ontribut ing to scope definition by developing line-item breakdowns that reflect full project coverage, including anticipated items not shown on drawings. Maintain clean and consistent estimate formatting and documentation, including clear folder structures, backup, and audit trails. Communicate effectively with internal teams, owners, architects, and engineers regarding cost updates and estimate deliverables. Attend community, professional and company events Performs other related duties as assigned. Skills and Abilities: Strong working knowledge of at least 4 CSI Divisions, with the ability and willingness to continue expanding expertise . Knowledge of construction assemblies and building systems including: Civil and sitework improvements Foundations, including deep foundations Structural Systems (Steel, Concrete, Masonry) Exterior Enclosure Systems (Masonry, Metal Panels, Curtainwall/Storefront) Roofing Systems Interior Construction and Finishes (walls, ceilings, flooring, doors, millwork) Division 10–14 Specialties Basic understanding of MEP systems is preferred (deeper knowledge is a plus) Ability to clearly interpret and review plans and specifications. Familiarity with estimating software and tools such as OST (On-Screen Takeoff), Bluebeam, Excel, and Office Suite. T ime management and organizational skills, with the ability to meet deadlines. Self-motivated and capable of working both independently and collaboratively within a team. Good communication skills and comfort participating in project team meetings and discussions. Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in construction management , e ngineering, a rchitecture, or related field preferred (or equivalent industry experience) . 5+ years of estimating experience in a general contracting or construction management environment preferred . Experience with commercial project types such as interior fit-outs, ground-up buildings, healthcare, education, corporate , or multi-family is a plus. Why Higley Construction? Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) – 100% Employee-Owned 25 days of Paid Time Off 9 Paid Holidays​ Health, Dental, & Vision Insurance​ Pet Insurance Health/Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts​ 401k Contributions/Match​ Life Insurance/AD&D​ Employee Assistance Program Volunteer Time Off & Gift Match Program​ Paid Birthday Leave​ Paid Family Leave​ Paid Military Leave Short & Long Term Disability​ Years of Service Awards $1, 5 00 Referral Bonus​ Mentorship Program Tuition/Certification Reimbursement Capability for up to 16 hours / week of remote work. Casual Friday Policy Cell Phone Reimbursement Apparel Allowance Enterprise/National Rental Benefits Salary to be determined based on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, and/or experience of the applicant, as well as the internal equity and alignment with the team. For Cleveland, OH this ranges from $80,080 - $120,120 plus benefits and retirement program. Drug and Alcohol Screening Requirement As part of your employment with Higley Construction, an initial pre-employment drug and alcohol test is required . This is followed by company-wide annual and random drug and alcohol testing for all employees for the duration of your employment. Higley Construction prohibits employees from being under the influence of substances such as drugs or alcohol during work hours. Higley Construction is dedicated to the Safety of all individuals in our offices and our job sites. JOB REQUIREMENTS The following outlines the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Physical Activities: This role requires driving to and from office, jobsites, meetings, client locations, events, and other work-related locations as necessary. It primarily involves working at a desk with prolonged periods of sitting or standing. Frequent use of hands and fingers is required for typing, writing, and handling documents or office tools. Repetitive hand and wrist motions are common during computer and data entry tasks. Effective communication is essential, including in-person, phone, and digital interactions. This role may occasionally require lifting or moving office materials or small equipment up to 20 pounds. Environmental Conditions: Work is primarily performed in an office or remote/home-based setting, with quiet to moderate noise levels. There may also be occasional visits to construction sites, where exposure to outdoor environmental factors may occur. This list of job requirements is subject to change at any time due to the needs of the business. Higley Construction is an Equal Opportunity Employer Higley Construction is strongly committed to a workplace that is free of discrimination for all employees and candidates. It is the policy and practice that Higley Construction provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and candidates for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, sex, or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, religion, socio-economic status, age, disability, physical and mental ability, genetic information, service in the military, or any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to hiring, placement, promotion, demotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, and training. E-Verify Participation Higley Construction participates in E-Verify. If hired, the employer will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States of America. Notice to Recruiters & Agencies: Higley Construction does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or agencies. Do not send resumes to our jobs alias, website, or employees. All recruitment inquiries, agency communications, and any agreements must be directed exclusively to our Human Resources department. We are not responsible for agency or recruiting fees unless we specifically request those services in writing, and we will treat all unsolicited resumes as the property of Higley Construction.