Mechanical Estimator (HVAC, Plumbing, Piping)
Location: Richmond, VA
Department: Preconstruction
Employment Type: Full-Time
Industry: Commercial & Industrial Construction
Position Overview
The Mechanical Estimator is responsible for developing accurate and competitive cost estimates for HVAC, plumbing, piping, and sheet metal systems across commercial and industrial construction projects.
This role plays a critical function in preconstruction, supporting budgeting, conceptual estimating, subcontractor procurement, and value engineering efforts. The Mechanical Estimator collaborates with project management, engineering, and field operations teams to ensure precise scope definition and cost alignment.
Projects include healthcare facilities, hospitals, high-rise buildings, government projects, data centers, and higher education institutions.
Key Responsibilities
- Analyze construction drawings, specifications, and bid documents to define project scope
- Prepare detailed mechanical cost estimates for HVAC, plumbing, piping, and sheet metal systems
- Perform quantity takeoffs and calculate labor and material costs
- Develop conceptual budgets and design-phase estimates
- Solicit and evaluate subcontractor and supplier bids for accuracy and completeness
- Identify and recommend value engineering opportunities to improve cost efficiency and constructability
- Collaborate with Project Managers, Engineers, and Operations teams to align estimating with execution strategies
- Support proposal development and client presentations
- Maintain clear documentation of assumptions, exclusions, and clarifications
- Utilize estimating software and Excel-based models to produce reports and pricing summaries
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, or related field
- Minimum 5+ years of mechanical estimating experience in commercial or industrial construction
- Strong expertise in:
- HVAC systems
- Plumbing systems
- Mechanical piping
- Sheet metal systems
- Ability to read and interpret construction drawings and technical specifications
- Proven experience with quantity takeoffs and cost analysis
- Proficiency in estimating software (e.g., Autobid or similar)
- Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel (cost modeling and analysis)
- Strong analytical, mathematical, and problem-solving abilities
- Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Field experience in mechanical construction or operations
- Experience with large-scale or complex projects, including:
- Healthcare and hospitals
- Data centers
- Government facilities
- Universities and higher education
- High-rise construction
Work Environment
- Primarily office-based within a preconstruction setting
- Occasional travel to job sites, vendors, and client locations
Equal Employment Opportunity
The company is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE M/F/Disability/Veterans) and is committed to building a diverse workforce.
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship.
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