Estimator

ImpactHR is pleased to be partnering with District Mechanical on an exciting search for a Piping Estimator to join their growing team in Calgary. We work closely with our clients to understand not just the role, but the people and culture behind it, and this is one of those opportunities we’re genuinely excited to share. If you’re a piping or mechanical estimator wondering what your next move looks like, read on. This could be the career-defining step you’ve been waiting for.

About District Mechanical

Are you a piping estimator who wants to do more than run take-offs and have a real hand in shaping how a company grows in a new market? District Mechanical is looking for a Piping Estimator ready to take the lead on tendering in Calgary, and to grow alongside a company where your work is seen and valued.

District Mechanical is an employee-owned mechanical contractor headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, and it is growing its team in Calgary. The company delivers complex institutional, commercial, healthcare, industrial and large-scale residential projects across Alberta, and it has significant opportunities for continued growth. This is an opportunity to join a hands-on, entrepreneurial environment where initiative is valued, ideas are welcomed, and individual contributions make a meaningful impact.

Reporting to the VP Procurement, you will lead piping estimates and tenders for projects in Calgary and the surrounding area. You will work closely with the estimating, operations, project management and leadership teams, from the first review of a bid package through to a smooth handoff to the operations team once a project is won. This role is based in Calgary, but District Mechanical is open to considering the right candidate in Edmonton.

Who You Are

You are a piping or mechanical estimator with experience on commercial, institutional, multi-family, industrial or similar construction projects. You know that a missed scope gap can sink a job’s margin and a sharp value engineering option can win it, and you take pride in getting both right.

You know piping systems inside and out, including plumbing, hydronics, process piping and equipment connections, and you understand how they fit with the rest of the mechanical scope. You can build a complete estimate from drawings, specs and addenda, read a subcontractor quote for what it leaves out, and think through labour productivity, sequencing and risk with confidence.

You know the Calgary construction market, or want to, and you enjoy building relationships with suppliers, trade partners and clients. Most importantly, you take ownership of your work and are interested in building a long-term career with a company where your growth can align with the growth of the business.

Key Responsibilities

This role will evolve based on your experience, strengths, and career objectives. Reporting to the VP Procurement, you will be accountable for:

Bid Review and Estimating

• Bid Package Review: Lead the review of bid packages, drawings, specifications, addenda and tender requirements to determine scope, inclusions, exclusions, risks, opportunities and required resources.
• Estimate Preparation: Prepare accurate and complete estimates, including material take-offs, labour productivity, equipment, rentals, indirect labour, subcontracted scopes, general requirements, overhead and profit.
• Piping and Mechanical Scopes: Estimate piping and plumbing, hydronics, equipment, insulation, fire stopping and related mechanical scopes, and coordinate pricing for HVAC, sheet metal, controls and other subcontracted work.
• Risk and Value Engineering: Identify drawing conflicts, specification concerns, constructability issues, scope gaps, cost-saving opportunities and value engineering options during tender.

Pricing and Tender Submission

• Supplier and Subcontractor Pricing: Issue detailed bid packages to suppliers, vendors, subcontractors and trade partners, and review their quotations for completeness, exclusions, scope gaps, schedule impacts and alignment with tender documents.
• Site Visits and Pre-Bid Meetings: Attend site visits, pre-bid meetings, project showings and tender walkthroughs in Calgary and the surrounding area.
• Proposal Preparation: Prepare tender proposal requirements, including bid forms, breakdowns, alternates, bonding and insurance requirements, schedules, org charts, resumes, company experience, craft rates and mark-ups.
• Leadership Review: Assemble estimates for review with the VP Procurement and leadership team, including labour assumptions, risk and opportunity items and value engineering options.
• Bid Close-Out: Confirm scope coverage, pricing status, addenda acknowledgements, tender forms, exclusions, qualifications and final submission requirements.

Handoff and Market Knowledge

• Project Handoff: Take part in kick-off and handoff meetings, clearly communicating estimate assumptions, inclusions, exclusions, risks and key tender decisions to operations.
• Calgary Market Knowledge: Stay current on local conditions affecting construction costs, including labour availability, material pricing, equipment lead times, subcontractor capacity, tendering trends, local code considerations and client expectations.

Qualifications

• Previous piping or mechanical estimating experience on commercial, institutional, multi-family, industrial or similar construction projects is required.
• College diploma or technical education in mechanical engineering technology, construction, estimating or a related discipline is preferred. Equivalent mechanical construction experience will also be considered.
• Strong understanding of piping systems, including plumbing, hydronics and process piping, along with a working knowledge of HVAC, equipment, controls and sheet metal coordination.
• Proven ability to complete detailed material take-offs and prepare complete estimates from drawings, specifications, addenda and tender documents.
• Strong understanding of labour productivity, construction sequencing, risk assessment, tender strategy and mechanical construction methods.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word and Outlook.
• Experience with estimating software, digital take-off tools and construction management platforms considered an asset.
• CEC (Construction Estimator Certified), Gold Seal Estimator certification, C.E.T. designation, or enrolment in a related program considered an asset.
• Knowledge of the Calgary construction market, regional trade partners and local tendering practices considered an asset.
• Strong communication, organization, time management, follow-up and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with internal teams, suppliers, subcontractors and clients.

Why Join District Mechanical?

A career, not just a job. This is an opportunity to build your career with an employee-owned company that offers the potential for long-term growth and advancement.

Help build the Calgary market. Join a growing Calgary team, with the trust and autonomy to shape how the company tenders and wins work in the region.

Room to grow. As the business expands, you will have opportunities to take on increasing responsibility, develop new skills, and shape your own career path.

Think like an owner, share like one. We’re employee-owned, and our rewards reflect it. Share ownership, profit sharing and RRSP matching give you a real stake in the company’s growth, which suits someone with an entrepreneurial mindset who wants to build something, not just collect a salary.

How to Apply

If you are a piping or mechanical estimator looking for a role where your expertise is valued and your growth is supported, we would love to hear from you.