Preconstruction Estimator

As an Estimator at Progressive Companies, you will lead technical preconstruction estimating efforts that guide early project decisions and cost certainty. You’ll own quantity take-offs, subcontractor analysis, and budget creation, ensuring internal alignment and constructability. This role is ideal for someone energized by detailed estimating, data accuracy, and value engineering.

Deliver Results Perform detailed quantity take-offs for accurate cost estimates. Build and maintain cost databases using historical $/SF benchmarks, labor rates, and vendor pricing. Analyze subcontractor proposals and ensure alignment with project scope, schedule, and risk. Prepare and present conceptual estimates and budgets for internal planning and client use.

Support schematic and design development phases by advising teams on cost alignment. Lead internal estimating meetings to review assumptions, validate inputs, and assess risk. Identify and recommend value engineering options to improve cost-efficiency and constructability. Maintain detailed records of estimates, bid clarifications, subcontractor quotes, and cost decisions.

Serve as the cost estimating lead for mid-sized projects, supporting Project Managers and Design Leads.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management or related field, or equivalent experience. 5+ years of experience in construction estimating, with a focus on commercial or mid-sized projects. Demonstrated success managing cost estimates independently from schematic through bid. Strong ability to interpret construction documents and specifications with precision.

Skilled in Microsoft Excel and Word; experience with Bluebeam and Procore preferred. Knowledge of subcontractor markets, scope writing, and proposal evaluation. OSHA-10, OSHA-30, or Residential Builders License are a plus. P eople Matter Each individual’s background, knowledge, ability, and experience contributes to strengthening our organization and projects.

Our dedication to diversity includes company provided training and education, equitable recruitment, a grassroots employee DEI committee, and robust community partnerships. Progressive Companies is comprised of people with a variety of abilities, races, colors, religions, genders, sexual orientations, national origins, ages, veteran statuses, and more.

As an equal opportunity employer, we believe diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential elements of innovative design. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. Transforming Spaces. Empowering People. The talented professionals of Progressive Companies are designers of a bold new future, creating high-performance structures and pathways, delivering on today’s needs and preparing for what’s to come.

We live by the idea that design isn’t simply about beauty, it’s about improving strategic outcomes—what we call P erformance B ased D esign. Our work spans across the nation, allowing team members to work on a variety of exciting projects and maximize impact as trusted partners to our clients and communities. Sustainable and Inclusive We are dedicated to human-centered, sustainable, and inclusive design practices.

We believe diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to building trust, respect, and truly innovative design making spaces welcoming and accessible to all. Our sustainability approach embraces the AIA 2030 Commitment, together with a range of high performance, restorative, and regenerative strategies with a focus on climate responsive results to maximize positive impact in our industry.

Employee Owned We act like owners—because we are. From modest beginnings of four original engineering partners in 1962, to almost 300 architects, engineers, designers, and consultants across multiple regional offices today, the energy, resourcefulness, and entrepreneurial mindset you expect from a CEO come standard with every team member.

Culture of Excellence The firm is continually ranked as one of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in the Nation®, with comprehensive benefits including an award-winning wellness program, hybrid work schedule, summer hours, profit-sharing, and employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). We take our work seriously, but have fun along the way, which fuels the creative spirit and supports a focus on work and life integration.

Progressive Companies is committed to development and growth of team members through continuing education, mentorship, growth opportunities, and more. We are dedicated to giving back to our communities, with paid service-learning hours available to every employee and corporate sponsorship for a wide range of community organizations and activities.