Estimator 4 - Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing
Full-TimePosted on 9/30/2026Deadline 10/9/26
$131.3k - $146.3k/yr
Expert
Bachelor's
Los Angeles, CA, USA
In Person
About the job
Requirements
A minimum of ten years of recent professional experience preparing complete cost estimates for Type I, II, III, or V building construction, including five to seven years of MEP estimating.
A BS/BA degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or another related degree; additional qualifying experience beyond the stated minimum may substitute for education year for year.
Expertise in the theories, principles, and practices of cost estimating and contract pricing.
Expertise in Design Build, Design Bid Build, and Job Order Contracting forms of contracting.
Full knowledge of construction methods for buildings and structures.
Full knowledge of current local construction labor and material costs.
Full knowledge of MEP systems, construction methods, and industry standards.
Extensive experience developing and estimating scopes of work for change orders.
Ability to compare cost estimates with contractors’ proposals to identify discrepancies.
Ability to develop scopes of work based on RFI/RFC answers and independently estimate detailed scope costs without relying on the contractor proposal.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to perform basic calculations in Excel.
Responsibilities
Plan and participate in preparing construction cost estimates for buildings or other structures using drawings, outlines, and specifications.
Prepare estimates based on design, scope, and building type.
Evaluate consultants’ cost-estimating deliverables for cost containment, accuracy, uniformity, and completeness.
Prepare fair cost estimates for contractors’ extra-work proposals.
Conduct special studies and prepare reports when contractors’ bids vary from the construction cost estimate.
Conduct construction and project site visits, gather relevant information, and determine which information to use in producing project estimates.
Conduct material takeoffs and quantity surveys for MEP systems, including mechanical, electrical, and plumbing components.
Evaluate pricing documents, historical cost data, and vendor cost data to develop cost estimates and price recommendations.
Evaluate quotes, bids, change orders, value-engineering reports, and claims for estimate accuracy and completeness.
Compile and analyze data on factors influencing costs, including materials, labor, equipment, and profit.
Prepare technical evaluations, draft cost-estimating reports, memos, and letters, and present recommendations to management.
Collaborate with project managers, engineers, and architects to identify value-engineering opportunities and cost-saving measures.
Perform other related estimating duties as assigned.
Desired Qualifications
Knowledge of prevailing-wage and union labor rates.
Knowledge and use of NECA and MCAA labor productivity.
Knowledge and use of RS Means, Accubid, Trimble MEP, or Bluebeam Revu.
About Vanir
Vanir is a proud minority- and woman-owned company, recognized as a national leader in program, project and construction management (PMCM) and real estate development. Since 1964, we have consistently exceeded client expectations. Ranked as a top PMCM firm by Engineering News-Record (ENR) for more than three decades, our award-winning team provides a full range of services to public and private sector clients in the aviation; healthcare; education (K-12 and higher); justice and essential services; science and technology; state and local government; transportation; water and wastewater; energy; and commercial, residential and nonprofit markets.
Job Description
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Senior level estimator who specializes in Mechanical, Electrical, and Pluming (MEP) trades to report to PMO Program Controls Manager and Lead Estimator.
Plan and participate in the preparation of construction cost estimates of buildings or other structures from drawings, outlines, and specifications.
Prepare estimates per design based on scope and building type.
Evaluate cost-estimating deliverables prepared by consultants for cost containment, accuracy, uniformity and completeness.
Prepare fair cost estimates for cost proposals from Contractors for extra work.
Perform special studies and prepare reports when contractors’ bids vary from the construction cost estimate.
Conduct construction/project site visits gathering relevant information and determine what information to be used to produce project estimates.
Conduct material takeoffs and quantity surveys for MEP systems, including mechanical, electrical, and plumbing components.
Evaluate pricing documents, historical and vendor cost data for the development of cost estimates and price recommendations.
Evaluate quotes, bids, change orders, value engineering reports, and claims for accuracy and completeness of estimates.
Compile and analyze data on all factors that influence costs such as material, labor, equipment and profit.
Prepare technical evaluations, cost estimating draft report, memos, letters, and present recommendation to management.
Collaborate with project managers, engineers, and architects to identify value engineering opportunities and cost-savings measures.
Perform other related estimating duties as assigned.
Ability to compare cost estimates with contractors’ proposal to identify discrepancies.
Ability to develop scope of work based on RFI/RFC, answers and estimates the detailed costs of those scopes of work independent of the contractor proposal.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to perform basic calculations in Excel.
Minimum Qualifications:
Ten (10) years minimum of recent professional experience in the preparation of complete cost estimates for type I, II, or III, and V building construction as defined by the State building code including 5 - 7 years of MEP estimating.
BS/BA Degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or other related degree. Additional qualifying experience in excess to the minimum stated above may be substituted for the required education on a year for year basis.
Expert in theories, principles, and practices of cost estimating and contract pricing.
Expert in Design Build, Design Bid Build and Job Order Contracting forms of contracting.
Full knowledge of construction methods for buildings and structures.
Full knowledge of current local construction labor and material costs.
Full knowledge of MEP systems, construction methods, and industry standards.
Extensive experience in developing and estimating the scope of work for change orders.
Preferred Qualifications:
Knowledge of Prevailing Wage/Union Labor rates.
Knowledge and use of NECA and MCAA labor productivity.
Knowledge and use of RS Means, Accubid, Trimble MEP, or Bluebeam Revu.
Detail-oriented with a focus on accuracy and thoroughness.
Excellent mathematical, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Benefits
Vanir offers a comprehensive, competitive benefits package that includes 401(k) Savings with employer matching contributions, medical, dental, vision, health savings account (HSA) with employer contributions, life, AD&D and disability benefits, flexible spending account (FSA), voluntary benefits, Teladoc, pet insurance, paid time off, national employee assistance program (EAP) and employee referral program.
How to Apply
If you're interested in working for Vanir please visit our website to learn more and to apply online at www.vanir.com.
Persons with medical limitations may, with reasonable accommodations, be capable of performing the duties of this position. Such a determination must be made on an individual basis considering the person's limitations, the requirements of the position, and the company's ability to make reasonable accommodations to the person's limitations.
We Participate in E-Verify
Pursuant to the Ban The Box Act/Fair Chance Initiative, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.