Senior Estimator - Heavy Civil / Site DevelopmentCompany: Wal-Rose, Inc.
Location: Sanford, FLProject Focus: Site Development | Heavy Civil Construction | Earthwork | Excavation | Underground Utilities | Road Construction | Stormwater Infrastructure
Work Setting: Full-Time | In-Office with Occasional Site Visits
Salary: $100,000 - $150,000+ (Depending on Experience) + Performance Bonus + Comprehensive Benefits- Bonuses: $20-30K/year
- Benefits: 100% of employee paid (Vision, Dental, Health and Life)
- 401K Match: 2% match
- PTO: 4 weeks total - 2 weeks, and 1 week flex time, and 1 week between Christmas to new year
- Total package value: $140 - $200K
Work Schedule: 95% in office schedule
Reports to Chief Estimator
Position OverviewWal-Rose, Inc. is seeking an experienced Heavy Civil Estimator to join our growing construction team. As a family-owned contractor with decades of experience serving Central Florida, Wal-Rose has built its reputation on delivering high-quality site development and infrastructure projects for residential, commercial, and industrial clients.
The Estimator will play a vital role in securing new work by preparing accurate and competitive cost estimates for site preparation, earthwork, underground utility, roadway, and stormwater infrastructure projects. This individual will work closely with company leadership, project managers, field operations, subcontractors, and suppliers to develop winning proposals while ensuring profitability and effective risk management.
This is an excellent opportunity for an estimator who enjoys owning the entire preconstruction process-from reviewing plans and performing quantity takeoffs through bid submission and project turnover-and who wants to grow with a respected local contractor known for its commitment to quality, integrity, and long-term client relationships.
Primary ResponsibilitiesEstimating & Preconstruction- Prepare detailed cost estimates for heavy civil and site development projects.
- Review plans, specifications, geotechnical reports, and bid documents to determine project scope and construction requirements.
- Perform comprehensive quantity takeoffs for earthwork, excavation, utilities, roadway construction, stormwater systems, and related infrastructure.
- Develop conceptual, budgetary, negotiated, and competitive bid estimates.
- Analyze project risks, constructability, sequencing, and logistical challenges.
- Prepare complete bid proposals, scope clarifications, exclusions, and qualifications.
Bid Management- Manage multiple estimates simultaneously while meeting strict bid deadlines.
- Attend pre-bid meetings and project walkthroughs.
- Review RFIs, addenda, and revised construction documents.
- Coordinate subcontractor and supplier pricing.
- Evaluate subcontractor proposals for completeness and accuracy.
- Participate in bid review meetings with company leadership.
- Support contract negotiations after project award.
Cost DevelopmentPrepare accurate estimates for:- Earthwork and mass grading
- Excavation
- Site balancing
- Land clearing
- Demolition
- Underground water systems
- Sanitary sewer systems
- Storm drainage systems
- Stormwater repair
- Roadway construction
- Asphalt paving
- Concrete paving
- Erosion control
- Utility crossings
- Dewatering
- Temporary traffic control
- Mobilization
- Equipment utilization
- Labor productivity
- Materials procurement
- General conditions
- Contingencies
Vendor & Subcontractor Coordination- Build and maintain relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, and equipment vendors.
- Solicit competitive pricing for materials and specialty services.
- Verify scope alignment between subcontractor proposals and project requirements.
- Evaluate market pricing trends and procurement strategies.
Client & Internal Collaboration- Communicate with owners, developers, engineers, architects, municipalities, and general contractors regarding bid clarifications.
- Collaborate closely with project managers and field operations throughout the estimating process.
- Present estimate reviews and recommendations to company leadership.
- Assist business development efforts by supporting client meetings and proposal presentations.
Project HandoffFollowing project award:- Conduct detailed turnover meetings with project management teams.
- Transfer estimate assumptions, budgets, production rates, and procurement strategies.
- Review project risks, scope inclusions, and exclusions.
- Assist with subcontractor buyout and procurement planning.
- Support successful project startup and execution.
QualificationsRequired- 5+ years of estimating experience in heavy civil construction, site development, or utility construction.
- Strong knowledge of site preparation and heavy civil construction methods.
- Experience estimating projects ranging from several hundred thousand dollars to multi-million-dollar contracts.
- Ability to read and interpret civil engineering plans, utility drawings, grading plans, and technical specifications.
- Strong understanding of production rates, construction sequencing, and equipment utilization.
- Excellent mathematical, analytical, and organizational skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
- Ability to manage multiple deadlines while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
PreferredExperience estimating one or more of the following:- Site development
- Earthwork
- Excavation
- Underground utilities
- Stormwater infrastructure
- Road construction
- Municipal infrastructure
- Residential land development
- Commercial site development
- Industrial site construction
Software ExperiencePreferred experience with:- HCSS HeavyBid
- AGTEK
- Bluebeam Revu
- PlanSwift
- AutoCAD Civil 3D (review purposes)
- Procore
- Microsoft Excel (Advanced)
- Microsoft Project
- Sage Estimating
- Viewpoint
- Trimble Business Center (preferred)
Desired Skills- Heavy civil estimating expertise
- Quantity takeoffs
- Cost analysis and budgeting
- Equipment costing
- Production rate analysis
- Value engineering
- Risk assessment
- Contract review
- Bid strategy development
- Vendor negotiations
- Time management
- Critical thinking
- Team collaboration
- Problem solving
- Strong communication skills
Preferred BackgroundIdeal candidates will come from contractors specializing in:- Heavy civil construction
- Site development
- Excavation
- Underground utility installation
- Roadway construction
- Land development
- Earthwork
- Municipal infrastructure
- Civil infrastructure
- Utility contracting
Experience working with FDOT, municipal agencies, counties, private developers, or commercial general contractors is highly desirable.What Success Looks LikeSuccessful candidates will:- Produce accurate, competitive estimates that maximize project profitability.
- Identify project risks and opportunities before construction begins.
- Build strong relationships with clients, subcontractors, and suppliers.
- Consistently submit complete, high-quality bids on time.
- Support smooth transitions from preconstruction through project execution.
- Contribute to Wal-Rose's continued growth by helping secure profitable heavy civil and site development projects throughout Central Florida.
