The Senior Estimator is responsible for the preparation of accurate, competitive, and complete cost estimates for civil construction projects, including sewer and watermain, earthworks, and roadworks.
This role plays a critical part in securing profitable work by thoroughly analyzing tender documents, understanding project risks, and developing pricing strategies aligned with CDC’s operational capabilities and market conditions.
The Estimator is accountable for the integrity of all quantity takeoffs, pricing inputs, and scope assumptions, and works collaboratively with operations, subcontractors, and suppliers to deliver high-quality bid submissions.
Key Responsibilities
1. Estimate Preparation & Execution
Perform detailed quantity takeoffs from drawings and specifications
- Review and interpret all tender documents, including:
- Specifications
- Geotechnical reports
- Hydrogeological reports
- Municipal standards and requirements
Develop complete and accurate cost estimates including:
Labo- ur Equipme
- nt Materia
- ls Subcontrac
- ts Input and manage estimates within Bid2Win (B2W) or equivalent softwa
- re Ensure all estimates reflect current production rates, methodologies, and equipment utilizati
o
n
2. Scope Review & Risk Identification
Identify and clearly document:
Scope inclusions and exclusi- ons Project risks (soil conditions, groundwater, utilities, access constraints, et
- c.) Assumptions used in pric
- ing Flag discrepancies, ambiguities, or gaps in tender docume
- nts Participate in the preparation of RFIs and clarificati
o
n
s
3. Subcontractor & Supplier Coordinatio
- n Solicit and evaluate subcontractor and supplier pricing (mi
- n 3) Ensure full scope coverage across all trades and mater
- ials Conduct scope reviews with subcontractors to confirm understanding and complete
- ness Level and compare quotes to ensure best value and compli
a
n
ce
4. Collaboration with Project Delivery and Construction Teams
Coordinate with Project Managers and Superintendents t
o- : Validate production
- rates Confirm construction methodol
- ogies Ensure constructability of the es
- timate Incorporate field feedback and historical performance data into esti
m
a
tes
5. Bid Closing & Submission Support
Assist in bid closing activities includi
ng- : Final estimate
- review Scope confir
- mation Pricing adjustments as directed by the Di
- rector Ensure all required documentation is complete and submitted o
- n time Support post-bid reviews and de
b
r
iefs
6. Continuous Improvement & Data Integ
rit- y Maintain organized and well-documented estimat
- e files Contribute to the development and refinement of estimating standards and te
- mplates Participate in post-project reviews to compare estimated vs. actua
- l costs Support continuous improvement of estimating accuracy and pr
o
c
esses
Key Accountabil
itie- s Accuracy and completeness of quantity
- takeoffs Integrity of pricing inputs and ass
- umptions Identification and communication of proje
- ct risks Timely completion of estimates and bid deli
- verables Alignment of estimates with CDC’s operational capa
b
i
lities
Key Performance Indicators
(KPIs- ) Estimate accuracy (variance between estimated vs. actu
- al costs) Bid quality (completeness, clarity, and competi
- tiveness) Error rate in takeoffs and scope
- coverage Contribution to overall bid suc
- cess rate Timeliness of estimate c
o
m
pletion
Qualifications & Exp
erienc- e 7–10+ years of experience in civil construction
- estimating Strong kno
- wledge of: Sewer and watermain co
- nstruction Earthworks a
- nd grading Roadworks and municipal
- servicing Proficiency in estimating software (e.g., Bid2
- Win (B2W)) Strong understanding of construction drawings, specifications, and contracts (e.g., CCDC and OPSS
- standards) Ability to interpret geotechnical and hydrogeologic
- al reports Strong analytical, organizational, and communicat
i
o
n skills
Core Comp
etencie- s Attention to detail a
- nd accuracy Critical thinking and prob
- lem solving Accountability and owners
- hip of work Time management under tigh
- t deadlines Collaboration a
n
d
teamwork
Working Rela
tionship- s Director of Pre-Construction
- & Estimating Estimating
- Team Members Pro
- ject ManagersSup
- erintendents Subcontractors
- & Suppliers Finance (for cost alignment an
d
reporting)
Success Profile (What Good Looks Like at CDC)
A successful Estimat
or at CDC- : Does not “go through the motions” - they fully understand the job befo
- re pricing it Identifies risks early and communicates
- them clearly Produces estimates that are both competitive a
- nd executable Takes ownership of their numbers and stands behi
- nd their work Contributes to a culture of accountability, accuracy, and continuo
u
s
improvement
