Electrical Estimator

Department: Sales
Reports to: Lead Estimator or Sales Manager
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Company: Gibson Electrical LLC

Position Overview

Gibson Electrical LLC is seeking an experienced Electrical Estimator to develop accurate, competitive, and profitable estimates for electrical construction projects.

The Electrical Estimator will analyze drawings, specifications, addenda, and contract documents to determine project labor, material, equipment, subcontractor, and risk costs. This position plays an important role in identifying scope gaps, documenting risks and assumptions, developing bid strategies, and ensuring a complete handoff from estimating to operations.

The Estimator will collaborate with sales, preconstruction, project management, field operations, general contractors, vendors, and subcontractors to help Gibson Electrical pursue profitable work while minimizing project risk.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate can independently estimate commercial electrical projects valued between approximately $1 million and $3 million. This individual understands labor units, specifications, subcontractor coordination, proposal development, and the commercial construction bidding process.

The successful candidate is organized, analytical, detail-oriented, and capable of managing estimates with minimal supervision.

Key Responsibilities

Bid Management and Project Pursuit

• Review invitations to bid and evaluate project suitability.
• Analyze drawings, specifications, addenda, geotechnical reports, contracts, and other bid documents.
• Develop bid schedules and ensure all deadlines and submission requirements are met.
• Attend pre-bid meetings, site visits, and project walkthroughs when required.
• Maintain bid calendars and opportunity-tracking systems.
• Coordinate bid activities with general contractors, owners, engineers, architects, vendors, and subcontractors.
• Identify scope gaps, ambiguities, and design conflicts before bid submission.

Quantity Takeoffs and Cost Development

• Perform detailed electrical quantity takeoffs from construction documents.

• Develop labor budgets using company productivity standards and appropriate labor units.

• Calculate material quantities and pricing.

• Obtain and evaluate vendor and supplier quotations.

• Solicit, review, and level subcontractor proposals.

• Develop complete project budgets that account for:

  • Labor and material
  • Equipment and rentals
  • Subcontracted work
  • Permits and inspections
  • Temporary power
  • Excavation and site work
  • General conditions
  • Escalation factors
  • Contingency and project risk

• Review estimates for accuracy and completeness before submission.

Scope Analysis

• Develop clear and complete scope narratives.
• Identify included, excluded, and qualified work.
• Review Division 26, 27, and 28 requirements.
• Evaluate owner-furnished and contractor-furnished equipment responsibilities.
• Identify temporary power, excavation, restoration, testing, commissioning, and closeout requirements.
• Confirm applicable permitting and inspection requirements.
• Review specification-compliance requirements.
• Document all assumptions that may affect pricing or project execution.

Risk Assessment

• Identify project-specific risks, including:

  • Underground utility conflicts
  • Existing site or building conditions
  • Long-lead equipment
  • Schedule and access constraints
  • Prevailing-wage requirements
  • Phased construction
  • Work in occupied facilities
  • Owner-furnished equipment
  • Incomplete or conflicting design documents

• Develop risk registers for complex or high-risk projects.

• Present identified risks during estimate and bid reviews.

• Recommend appropriate contingencies, qualifications, and risk-management strategies.

Pricing and Proposal Development

• Prepare complete bid summaries and estimate-review packages.
• Develop pricing recommendations for management review.
• Assemble professional proposal documents.
• Write clear qualifications, clarifications, and exclusions.
• Confirm proposals align with company estimating and contracting standards.
• Participate in final bid reviews before submission.
• Assist with post-bid communication and scope clarification when needed.

Vendor, Supplier, and Subcontractor Coordination

• Develop and maintain professional relationships with vendors, suppliers, and subcontractors.
• Request competitive quotations for materials, equipment, and subcontracted work.
• Evaluate quotations for scope coverage and compliance with project requirements.
• Identify quote gaps, exclusions, and potential cost risks.
• Track market conditions and material-pricing trends.
• Negotiate favorable pricing when appropriate.
• Assist purchasing and operations with budget verification and procurement planning.

Project Handoff and Preconstruction Support

• Conduct turnover meetings with project managers and field leadership.
• Communicate estimate assumptions, labor budgets, and productivity expectations.
• Transfer bid documents, quotations, takeoffs, and supporting estimate files.
• Review material and equipment procurement strategies.
• Explain scope boundaries, qualifications, exclusions, and unresolved items.
• Present project risks, pending RFIs, and design concerns.
• Support buyout and early procurement planning.
• Remain available during project startup to provide estimate clarification.

Documentation and Technology

• Maintain complete and organized electronic bid files.
• Properly archive estimates, proposals, quotations, and historical pricing information.
• Use estimating and digital takeoff software to prepare accurate estimates.
• Maintain current vendor and subcontractor information.
• Support improvements to estimating workflows, templates, and procedures.
• Assist with developing and maintaining company estimating standards.

Required Qualifications

• At least three years of electrical estimating experience preferred

• Ability to independently estimate commercial electrical projects

• Strong understanding of commercial electrical systems and construction methods

• Knowledge of labor units, productivity factors, material pricing, and subcontractor management

• Ability to read and interpret:

  • Electrical drawings and specifications
  • One-line diagrams
  • Site utility plans
  • Lighting and power plans
  • Fire alarm plans
  • Telecommunications plans
  • Construction contracts

• Working knowledge of National Electrical Code requirements

• Experience using digital takeoff or electrical estimating software

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Outlook, and Word

• Strong mathematical, analytical, and problem-solving skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to manage multiple bids, priorities, and deadlines

Preferred Qualifications

• Journeyman Electrician or electrical field background
• Previous field-supervision or project-management experience
• Experience estimating commercial, industrial, infrastructure, or fire alarm projects
• Proficiency with Bluebeam Revu
• Experience with Accubid, LiveCount, ConEst, or comparable estimating software
• Experience with Ohio prevailing-wage projects
• Associate or bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering, or a related field

Core Competencies

• Attention to detail
• Financial and cost analysis
• Commercial construction knowledge
• Strategic thinking
• Scope and risk management
• Schedule and deadline management
• Professional communication
• Negotiation
• Accountability
• Teamwork
• Continuous improvement

What Success Looks Like

A successful Electrical Estimator:

• Produces accurate, complete, and competitive estimates.
• Independently manages assigned bids and submission deadlines.
• Identifies scope gaps, pricing risks, and design conflicts before submission.
• Develops clear proposals with appropriate qualifications and exclusions.
• Builds dependable relationships with vendors and subcontractors.
• Provides complete and organized turnover information to operations.
• Helps awarded projects achieve their planned labor and gross-profit goals.
• Supports Gibson Electrical's growth by pursuing profitable, well-qualified work.

Career Growth

This position offers the opportunity to advance through the following career path:

Estimator Lead Estimator Sales Manager

About Gibson Electrical LLC

Gibson Electrical LLC is a growing electrical contractor serving commercial, industrial, infrastructure, service, and fire alarm customers. We value quality workmanship, accountability, collaboration, safety, and long-term relationships with our employees, customers, and industry partners.

If you are an experienced electrical estimator who can independently manage commercial bids and wants to contribute to a growing estimating department, we encourage you to apply.