Estimator (Part-time) - 21023

Role: Estimator (Doors, Windows & Hardware) - Part time


Priority Location: Latin America
Working Hours: Monday-Friday, 15hrs/week, aligned with US business hours
Target Start Date: ASAP (Urgent Hiring)

The final offer is at the client’s discretion and will depend on the candidate’s interview result, skills, and experience. Shortlisted candidates may be asked to complete a practical assessment as part of the application process.

About the Company:

We are a Southern California-based specialty building materials business focused on the sale and supply of doors, windows, commercial hardware, locks, and related products for residential, multifamily, commercial, and retail construction projects.

About the Role:

We are looking for an experienced Doors, Windows & Hardware Estimator who can independently handle construction takeoffs and estimates with a high degree of accuracy. This person will primarily support commercial and retail opportunities, while also assisting with multifamily and residential projects as opportunities arise.

The ideal candidate will already understand the nuances of doors, windows, and commercial hardware and should be able to work with a high degree of independence. The owner should be able to trust the candidate's work without needing to extensively re-check every takeoff or rebuild every estimate.

Key Responsibilities:

Project & Bid Identification

• Review available projects through the Blue Book Network / Dodge and other relevant bid sources.
• Identify projects that align with the company's products, geographic markets, capabilities, and commercial objectives.
• Evaluate bid opportunities based on project type, scope, size, timing, and likelihood of being commercially worthwhile.
• Help prioritize the most attractive opportunities rather than simply producing takeoffs for every available project.
• Build a consistent pipeline of viable commercial, retail, multifamily, and residential bids.

Construction Takeoffs

• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs from architectural drawings, plans, specifications, schedules, and related project documentation.
• Accurately identify and quantify doors, windows, frames, hardware, locks, and associated components.
• Review door schedules and hardware schedules and translate project documentation into accurate material requirements.
• Identify the specific requirements associated with individual openings.
• Understand how doors must be prepared to accommodate specified hardware and other components.
• Complete takeoffs efficiently while maintaining a high level of accuracy.
• Handle projects ranging from relatively straightforward retail opportunities with only a few doors to larger commercial and multifamily projects with significantly more complex requirements.

Estimating & Bid Preparation

• Translate completed takeoffs into complete material estimates.
• Research and apply appropriate material pricing.
• Compare pricing against relevant market and competitive benchmarks when appropriate.
• Prepare clear, organized estimates that allow the owner to quickly understand project costs and potential margins.
• Incorporate appropriate pricing considerations for commercial-grade products and hardware.
• Flag unusual specifications, pricing issues, missing information, or other potential risks before a bid is finalized.
• Prepare estimates that are sufficiently complete for the owner to focus primarily on client communication, relationship management, and closing the opportunity.

Required Qualifications

• Experience & Industry Knowledge: 3+ years of estimating, takeoff, or preconstruction experience, ideally within doors, windows, architectural openings, commercial hardware, or related construction materials.
• Technical Proficiency: Demonstrated ability to perform detailed construction takeoffs and build accurate estimates from architectural drawings, plans, specifications, and project documents.
• Specialized Expertise: Strong understanding of commercial doors and hardware, including the ability to independently interpret complex door and hardware schedules and understand how frame configurations affect preparation requirements.
• Tools & Software: Familiarity with any construction bid platforms (e.g., Blue Book Network, Dodge) and general estimating/takeoff software—though primary emphasis remains on strong technical estimating ability.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in Excel-based estimating workflows and experience with commercial hardware schedules and specifications.
• Analytical & Operational Skills: Strong attention to detail and accuracy, paired with proficiency in Excel for organizing takeoff and estimating data.
• Communication & Autonomy: Excellent written communication skills—including the ability to clearly flag discrepancies, assumptions, or pricing concerns—and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Preferred Qualifications (Nice to Have)

• Industry & Market Experience: Prior experience with a door, window, hardware, or building-materials supplier/distributor; familiarity with the U.S. construction market (specifically CA, AZ, or other U.S. regions); and experience collaborating with contractors, GCs, developers, architects, or subcontractors.
• Project Expertise: Proven experience estimating commercial, retail, and multifamily construction projects.