Full-Time

Senior Project Cost Estimator

Posted on 4/19/2025

Leland Saylor Associates

Leland Saylor Associates

11-50 employees

Construction consulting for public-sector project controls

No salary listed

Los Angeles, CA, USA

In Person

Category
Operations & Logistics (2)
,
Required Skills
Data Analysis
Requirements
  • Graduation from a recognized college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field.
  • 10 years full time paid 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 two years in a supervisory capacity.
  • Knowledge of current local construction labor and material costs.
  • Extensive experience in developing and estimating the scope of work for change orders.
  • Ability to compare the independent cost estimate with contractor proposal to quickly identify differences.
  • 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.
  • Good oral and written communications skills.
Responsibilities
  • Plan, supervise, and participate in the preparation of construction cost estimates of buildings or other structures from drawings, outlines, and specifications.
  • Prepare and review cost estimates and forms and other materials submitted to secure state and/or federal grants and loans from school aid programs and represents the district on matters pertinent to securing such funds.
  • Check construction cost estimates submitted by commissioned architects and engineers for accuracy and completeness and compares them with district estimates.
  • Confer with commissioned architects and engineers to resolve differences in their cost estimates and district estimates for each project and negotiates agreements on preliminary estimates of construction costs.
  • Make studies and prepares reports when contractors' bids vary widely from the agreed construction cost estimate.
  • Check segregation of contract costs as estimated by building contractors and recommends acceptance or rejection as a basis for progress payments.
  • Analyze change orders on construction work under contract and approves or rejects extras or credits submitted.
  • Prepare or review cost estimates for projects.
  • Establish and maintain procedures for approval of plans and specifications for building projects and submission of approved projects to public bidding.
  • Develop methods for maintaining data used in records, charts, and graphs reflecting estimated construction costs compared with actual costs.
  • Conduct and participates in seminars and workshops with staff and minority contractors relative to school construction bidding procedures, contracts, and cost estimating.
  • Estimate costs of damages to District property caused by fire, natural disaster, and major acts of vandalism.
  • Establish budgets for school building projects.
  • Assists other branches with related functions.
  • Prepare preliminary and final independent cost estimates of projects for comparison with designer or contractor for PM/CM to establish negotiating position.
  • Prepare change order estimates for Owner Authorized Representatives to establish negotiating position.
  • Provide support in price negotiations.
  • Prepare claim analyses and estimates.
  • Review contractor’s claims and proposals for merit and accountability.
  • Perform related duties as assigned.
Leland Saylor Associates

Leland Saylor Associates

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LSA provides construction consulting services to government and other large public-sector projects, including cost estimating, project controls, value engineering, scheduling, and claims analysis. Their work delivers expert analysis and management to help clients keep budgets under control and projects on schedule across education facilities, civic projects, and transit infrastructure. Differentiators include its DVBE certification, national reach, and a track record of estimating more than 400 projects annually in the public sector. They aim to help clients control costs, reduce risk, and deliver on time for major public infrastructure programs.

Company Size

11-50

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Walnut Creek, California

Founded

1958

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Stormwater practice generates recurring revenue from Caltrans projects across Northern California.
  • Integrated Program Management services command premium margins on complex transit projects.
  • National presence across 5 offices positions firm for federal contract expansion.

What critics are saying

  • Cordoba Corporation's BIM-integrated tools eroding LSA's transit market share rapidly.
  • DVBE status audit disqualification would eliminate access to 40% of bids.
  • Outdated cost manuals causing 15-20% estimation errors, triggering contract terminations.

What makes Leland Saylor Associates unique

  • DVBE and SDVOSB certifications unlock 40% of state-funded education and civic bids.
  • Publishes industry-standard 'Current Construction Costs' manual used by most agencies.
  • Estimates 400+ projects annually totaling $20 billion in construction value.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

401(k) Company Match

INACTIVE