Senior HVAC Preconstruction Estimator — Commercial Projects
Picture your morning in Sarasota: fresh coffee, a new set of plans open, and a call queued with a trusted sheet metal subcontractor. By mid-day, you’ve translated architectural and mechanical drawings into a clean, defensible takeoff, vetted vendor quotes, and sharpened a bid to win — without sacrificing margin. By afternoon, you’re walking a site in Bradenton, spotting constructability tweaks that save time and money. That’s a typical day for our client’s next estimating leader.
Our client is an established and growing commercial mechanical contractor serving Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, and the greater Gulf Coast. Their portfolio spans commercial construction, luxury high-rise condos, commercial interior renovations, rooftop equipment change-outs, residential replacements, and both commercial and residential service. Approximately 75% of the work is commercial and 25% residential.
What you’ll own
- Full-cycle estimating for HVAC and mechanical scopes — from initial plan/spec review through final proposal and handoff.
- Detailed quantity takeoffs from architectural/mechanical drawings, specifications, addenda, and bid documents.
- Complete cost build-ups for labor, material, equipment, subcontractors, and other project costs.
- Solicitation, comparison, and evaluation of supplier and subcontractor quotations.
- Scope definition: identify gaps, exclusions, alternates, allowances, and risk items early.
- Competitive bid preparation that balances price, scope clarity, and target profitability.
- Plan/spec analysis for constructability and value opportunities.
- Crisp, detailed proposals that clearly communicate scope and assumptions.
- Management of multiple estimates and deadlines simultaneously.
- Active participation in pre-bid meetings, site visits, scope reviews, and bid negotiations.
- Close collaboration with ownership, operations, project management, purchasing, and field teams.
Why you’ll thrive here
This isn’t just about counting duct. The winning candidate understands how to win profitable work — pricing strategy, risk posture, and how means-and-methods decisions ripple through schedule and cost.
What you bring
- Extensive HVAC estimating and bidding experience.
- Deep knowledge of commercial HVAC construction, renovations, equipment replacements, and mechanical systems.
- Proven ability to estimate confidently from plans and specifications with minimal oversight.
- Thorough understanding of HVAC equipment, ductwork, piping, controls, labor loading, and installation practices.
- Fluency with construction drawings, specifications, contracts, and bid documents.
- Exceptional math, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Capacity to juggle multiple bids and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong negotiating and communication abilities.
- Detail orientation paired with big-picture financial and operational awareness.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with Procore and ServiceTitan Construction strongly preferred.
Skill set checklist
- HVAC
- Customer Service
- HVAC/R Systems
- Refrigeration Systems
- Refrigerants
- Electrical Troubleshooting Skills
- Mechanical Troubleshooting Skills
- Preventive Maintenance & Inspection
- Electrical Troubleshooting
- Troubleshooting Industrial Automation Equipment
- HVAC Service & Installation
- HVAC Maintenance
- HVAC Troubleshooting
- HVAC Repair
- Mechanical Systems & Component Repair
- Blueprint Reading
Tools & technologies you’ll handle
- HVAC Systems
- Refrigeration/Cooling Systems
- Voltage Detector
- Multimeter
- Power Tools
Service area & work mix
- Markets served: Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, and the surrounding Gulf Coast region.
- Portfolio mix: ~75% commercial / ~25% residential.