Senior Estimator - Commercial Construction

ARQ General Contracting • Full-time • Bethesda, Maryland, United States • $110,000 / year • 5d ago

Hired pay rate is just a start. We reward those who prove themselves.

100% Covered Medical, Dental, and Vision
Vehicle Allowance
Phone Allowance
Up to 10% Annual Incentive Plan
401k Match
On-Site Gym Membership
Truly Uncapped Growth to Executive Leadership

Overview
ARQ General Contracting is hiring a seasoned, sharp Commercial Construction Estimator to own the full preconstruction process from bid to buyout. You're not here to push numbers through a template, you're here to build winning estimates that reflect real field knowledge, competitive strategy, and a deep understanding of what it actually takes to deliver commercial work. If you've been in the trenches long enough to know where estimates go wrong and how to price risk intelligently, ARQ is the place that will finally recognize and reward that expertise.

Working at ARQ you'll notice:

We eliminate friction, not just work around it. Construction is full of very common technical and administrative barriers. We invest in the right technology and processes to remove those barriers for good, without over-engineering solutions that create new problems.
We lead, not hover. We hire great people, set them up for success, and stay genuinely available when you need us. You'll have real autonomy and real support instead of a sink-or-swim environment.
We recognize great work explicitly. If you're delivering, you'll know it. We recognize and reward good performance. We believe in clear, consistent positive reinforcement so you always have a confident read on where you stand.

Responsibilities

Lead full-cycle estimating on commercial construction projects from conceptual budgeting through hard bid and negotiated GMP.
Perform detailed quantity takeoffs across all trades including civil, structural, architectural, MEP, and finishes.
Solicit, level, and analyze subcontractor and supplier bids to ensure scope coverage, identify gaps, and drive competitive pricing.
Develop and maintain a robust subcontractor and vendor database to ensure reliable bid coverage across trades.
Prepare comprehensive bid packages, scope letters, and clarification/exclusion lists that protect ARQ's position on every project.
Collaborate closely with project managers and superintendents to validate field assumptions and incorporate lessons learned from completed projects.
Conduct site walks during preconstruction to assess conditions, logistics, and risk factors that impact cost.
Build and manage project budgets in Procore, including cost codes, budget templates, and subcontract setup at award.
Support the transition from preconstruction to operations by providing detailed handoff documentation and participating in project kickoff meetings.
Track bid results, win/loss ratios, and market pricing trends to continuously sharpen estimating accuracy and competitive positioning.
Assist with value engineering efforts, presenting owners and design teams with cost-saving alternatives without compromising scope or quality.
Review contract documents, drawings, and specifications for constructability issues and scope conflicts prior to bid submission.

Qualifications

7+ years of commercial construction estimating experience with a GC or CM firm — hard bid, negotiated, and design-build delivery methods preferred.
Demonstrated experience estimating across multiple commercial project types such as office, retail, industrial, healthcare, education, or mixed-use.
Expert-level quantity takeoff skills with proficiency in On-Screen Takeoff, Bluebeam Revu, or similar takeoff platforms.
Hands-on experience working in Procore as the primary project management platform, including preconstruction modules, budget setup, and document control.
Strong command of CSI MasterFormat cost coding and trade-specific scope of work definitions.
Ability to read, interpret, and identify conflicts across full construction document sets including architectural, structural, civil, and MEP drawings.
Proven ability to self-perform bid leveling across 20+ subcontractor trades simultaneously under tight deadlines.
Solid understanding of subcontract and prime contract language as it relates to scope, risk, and cost exposure.
Familiarity with local labor markets, prevailing wage requirements, and regional subcontractor ecosystems — Virginia/Mid-Atlantic experience a plus.
Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with the ability to price uncertainty without over-hedging or leaving money on the table.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills for client-facing presentations, RFI/clarification responses, and internal cost reviews.

JOIN ARQ TODAY

Pay: From $110,000.00 per year

Benefits: