ARCHITECT / ESTIMATOR

Disgruntled Architects and Draftspeople Wanted!

Has your career not panned out the way you’d hoped? Are you being held back or not offered better opportunities because you’re not a graduate or licensed architect? If you’ve considered hopping over the fence to the contracting world, we have the perfect opportunity.

The Holder Group, a mid-sized commercial general contracting firm in Northern New Jersey is offering the position of Junior or Intermediate Level Estimator. The preferable candidate would be a person with experience in designing/drafting, building or estimating commercial tenant fit-out projects, some industrial work and ground-up construction projects. A minimum of 5 years experience in the architecture or construction field would be required.

In return, we will offer you the opportunity to learn the craft of estimating. Maybe you’re saying to yourself, “I don’t want to sit behind a desk crunching numbers all day with my nose buried in a set of blue prints”. Think again, or better yet come talk to us.

The Holder Group’s estimating program entails speaking with subcontractors about how they approach a project and determining the most cost effective and expeditious means of construction. You’d be meeting with the subcontractors in the field to verify site conditions, writing scope of work descriptions, which are similar to architectural specifications (only less boring). You would compare the subcontractor’s bids, work through constructability issues, provide value engineering solutions. You’d share in the excitement of winning a bid and be recognized as the person responsible for this success.

At The Holder Group we prepare many “conceptual” estimates. This requires a person with foresight and knowledge of different construction types, from office space to warehouse and industrial. Given just basic information and working with a database of unit pricing, you’ll learn to build the job on paper. You’ll occasionally work hand in hand with architect’s and engineers leading them through your design intent and keeping the project within your projected budget estimates.

In addition to your knowledge of construction, the skills and personal traits necessary to be considered for this opportunity are responsibility, accuracy and dependability. This person must be dynamic, energetic, industrious and diligent with an attention for detail. The Junior or Intermediate level Estimator will report directly to the Director of Project Administration.


COMPANY PROFILE:

CONSTRUCTION EXPERIENCE:
Tenant Fit Up: 70% of work
Base Building: 5% of work (increasing)
Industrial: 15% of work (increasing)
Construction Management 5% (increasing)
Design/Build: 5 projects and growing
Lab/Pharmaceutical: in development
Yearly Sales: $15,000,000 + and growing

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT:
Residential townhouses
Condominium projects
Commercial / Retail projects
Industrial development

CURRENT STAFF:
One Principal
One Director of Project Administration
One Director of Field Operations
One General Field Superintendent
One Assistant Project Manager
One Project Accountant
Four Field Superintendents
One Administrative / Estimating Assistant

COMPANY PHILOSOPHY:
Work Ethic - The Holder Group maintains:

A reputation for performance and integrity
Commitment to meeting of schedules and budgets
An attitude of mutual respect among our employees and clients

Client Satisfaction:
Our goal is not merely to "satisfy" the customer, but to surpass the customer's expectations by completing all projects with the highest level of quality, on time, within budget Commitment to implementation of our Standard Operating Procedures Exhibit an attitude of responsibility and accountability to our clients
REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must be skilled in computer software including Microsoft Word and Excel.

The estimator of a general contracting firm is a key position; this person is the gateway for the success of the company. They are, in most cases, the initial contact for new clients and the liaison between the firm and subcontractors. Personable and professional conduct is essential for this position.


EXPERIENCE AND COMPENSATION:
Please note the following level of experience and compensation:

The starting salary being offered for this position is in the range of $60,000 to $90,000+.

Benefits:
Company subsidized health insurance
Vision and Dental plans offered
401k plan in place for participation after 1st year of employment

PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Please note the following qualifications:

Positive attitude, personable, honest, ambitious, hard working and industrious.
Detail and procedures oriented.
Willing to do what it takes to get the job done.
Project and goal oriented.
Great communication skills.

RESPONSIBILITIES
The successful candidate will be responsible for the estimator’s duties including formulating budgets, proposals and conceptual estimates for our various construction projects. Some of these shall be accomplished internally utilizing quantity take offs and unit pricing, while most shall be achieved soliciting subcontractor proposals. Specifically, the candidate must be competent in the following:

Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
Review drawings for constructability issues
Meet with sub-contractors at job sites and discuss project requirements
Sub-contractor selection and relationship development
Bid Comparison and leveling
Preparation of Proposals
Value Engineering Analysis

Junior Level
A minimum of 5 years experience in the architecture or construction field with both fit-up and base building experience.
Computer skills
Able to read and interpret Architectural, Civil, Structural and MEP drawings and specifications
Able to write descriptions of sub-contractor scope of work
The Holder Group will train this person to fulfill the requirements of a construction estimator

Intermediate Level
A minimum of 7 years experience in the architecture or construction field in both fit-up and base building estimating
Ability to manage others and communicate direction effectively
Computer skills
Able to read and interpret Architectural, Civil, Structural and MEP drawings and specifications
Able to write descriptions of sub-contractor scope of work
The Holder Group will train this person to fulfill the requirements of a construction estimator