Senior Estimator

Full Job Description

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Senior Estimator with a strong commercial glazing background to take ownership of assigned opportunities from initial inquiry and preliminary budgeting through detailed estimating, tender submission, follow-up, negotiations and project handover.

This is a hands-on estimating role suited to someone who understands how glazing systems are designed, fabricated and installed-and can translate that understanding into complete, competitive and commercially sound proposals.

Reporting to the President & General Manager, who oversees sales, estimating and preconstruction, the Senior Estimator will work closely with drafting, purchasing, fabrication and project management. The President & General Manager will provide oversight of bid strategy, final pricing and negotiations.

The position will also contribute to improving estimating tools, cost information and internal processes. Depending on experience and the agreed scope of the role, responsibilities may include reviewing other estimators' bids and providing technical guidance.

Key Responsibilities

Estimating and Tender Preparation

Take responsibility for preparing estimates for assigned commercial glazing opportunities, including preliminary budgets, design-development pricing, competitive tenders and negotiated projects.

Review drawings, specifications, addenda, schedules and tender requirements to establish the complete scope of work. Perform detailed quantity takeoffs and develop pricing for materials, fabrication, installation, equipment and other project-specific costs.

Account for applicable supporting costs such as drafting, engineering, mock-ups, testing, packaging, freight, access equipment and site logistics. Maintain clear records of quantities, pricing sources, labour allowances and estimating assumptions.

Technical Review and Risk Identification

Assess proposed glazing systems and details for estimating purposes, including fabrication requirements, installation methods, interfaces with adjacent work and project sequencing.

Identify scope gaps, conflicting information, unusual details, long-lead materials and technical or commercial risks. Obtain clarification where needed and bring significant issues to the President & General Manager before submission.

Work with internal technical and operations personnel to validate assumptions. Develop value-engineering options and alternative pricing, identifying any associated changes to scope, performance requirements or approvals.

Supplier Pricing and Cost Development

Obtain and evaluate quotations from suppliers and subcontractors, ensuring comparisons reflect equivalent scopes, specifications and delivery requirements.

Work with purchasing, fabrication and field operations to establish realistic material costs, production allowances, installation labour and equipment requirements.

Consider quotation validity, lead times, freight, currency exposure, duties and potential escalation where applicable. Maintain current pricing information and document the basis of significant cost allowances.

Proposals, Client Relationships and Negotiations

Prepare clear proposals identifying the offered scope, inclusions, exclusions, qualifications, alternates and relevant commercial assumptions.

Manage submission deadlines and follow up on outstanding proposals. Maintain professional relationships with general contractors, clients, consultants and suppliers, and support the development of repeat business.

Participate in scope reviews, client meetings and negotiations under the oversight of the President & General Manager. Record agreed revisions and ensure the final pricing and scope accurately reflect the proposed award.

Project Handover and Ongoing Estimating Support

Lead the estimating portion of project handover meetings with project management, drafting, purchasing and other involved departments.

Provide a complete handover package containing the final estimate, awarded scope, relevant drawings and addenda, supplier quotations, labour assumptions, negotiated changes and identified risks or outstanding items.

Support the project team in understanding the estimate and the basis of the contract scope. Assist with significant pricing changes or complex change-order estimates when assigned.

Participate in project cost reviews to understand differences between estimated and actual results and incorporate relevant lessons into future estimates.

Estimating Improvement and Technical Support

Contribute to the ongoing improvement of estimating templates, pricing databases, labour allowances, checklists and documentation standards.

Help strengthen revision control and the transfer of estimating information to drafting, purchasing and project management, reducing duplicated work and loss of important bid assumptions.

Support the evaluation, implementation and improvement of estimating tools and systems to increase accuracy, efficiency and consistency. Assist with validating estimating data and outputs as improvements are introduced.

Where assigned, review other estimators' work for scope completeness, pricing assumptions, labour allowances and risk identification, and provide constructive technical guidance.

Qualifications And Experience

A minimum of seven years of direct commercial glazing estimating experience is required; ten or more years is preferred. General construction estimating experience without a commercial glazing background does not meet this requirement.

Demonstrated ability to independently manage glazing estimates from initial review through proposal, follow-up and award, including technically complex projects.

Strong knowledge of curtain wall, storefront, commercial windows, entrances, glass products, aluminum framing, finishes, hardware, sealants and associated components. Unitized curtain-wall experience is strongly preferred.

Practical understanding of glazing fabrication and field installation, including labour requirements, sequencing, access, handling and coordination with other trades.

Strong ability to interpret architectural drawings, specifications and construction details, with sound judgment in identifying scope gaps and pricing risks.

Strong Microsoft Excel skills and proficiency with digital takeoff tools such as Bluebeam. Experience improving or implementing estimating tools and systems is an asset.

Clear written and verbal communication, strong organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple opportunities and deadlines while maintaining accuracy.

Post-secondary education in construction, architectural technology, engineering or a related discipline is an asset, but substantial relevant industry experience will also be considered. Previous experience reviewing bids or mentoring estimators is an asset.

Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada and able to work primarily from our Delta office, with occasional attendance at project sites and client or supplier meetings.

What We Offer

A competitive salary based on relevant experience, demonstrated capability and assigned responsibilities, together with company benefits and paid vacation.

The opportunity to take ownership of challenging commercial glazing bids while working directly with senior management and the teams responsible for fabrication and installation.

The ability to make a practical contribution to estimating improvements, with potential for expanded technical and bid-review responsibilities.

Work Location: In person