Lead Estimator Nightingale Co.

Salary:

Negotiable + performance bonus Full-Time Build the Project - Before We Build the Project. Nightingale Co. is a luxury residential build company specializing in high-end home renovations and custom residential projects. We are looking for a Lead Estimator to become the primary owner of our estimating and pre-construction process. This isn't a back-office estimating position where you receive a set of plans and send out a number. You will be the person who meets the homeowner, understands what they actually want, figures out how we're going to build it, develops the budget, coordinates the resources needed to price it accurately, and ultimately presents the project to the client. You will work directly with homeowners, architects, engineers, designers, subcontractors, and our internal team to turn ideas into clear, profitable, buildable projects. What You'll Own Client Relationships & Sales You will be the primary point of contact for prospective clients throughout the estimating and pre-construction process.

You'll:

Meet with homeowners to understand their vision, priorities, budget, and expectations. Review existing conditions, drawings, specifications, and project requirements. Develop a clear understanding of the work required before putting a number to it. Communicate directly with clients throughout the estimating process. Present estimates and proposals directly to homeowners. Explain what we're recommending, why it costs what it costs, and what options are available. Present solutions when challenges arise rather than simply identifying problems. Follow up consistently with prospective clients and keep opportunities moving forward. Build trust with clients through clear, professional, and knowledgeable communication. Network and develop relationships with architects, engineers, designers, subcontractors, and other industry professionals. Estimating & Pre-Construction You'll be responsible for developing accurate, detailed, and profitable project budgets .

That includes:

Reviewing architectural drawings and project documents. Developing comprehensive scopes of work. Performing material and labor takeoffs. Obtaining and coordinating subcontractor and vendor pricing. Researching materials, labor requirements, and construction methods. Identifying project exclusions, assumptions, allowances, and potential risks. Building detailed estimates that can be clearly explained to the client and internal team. Ensuring estimates are competitive while protecting the company's required margins. Working with internal and external resources to obtain timely pricing. Creating proposals and construction contracts that accurately reflect the intended scope. You should be able to take a set of plans and turn them into something the rest of the company can actually build from. Project Coordination Although the primary focus of this position is estimating and pre-construction, you'll remain involved as projects transition into construction. You'll help ensure that the project team receives a handoff of information and is setup with:: A clear scope of work Accurate pricing/ allowances for undetermined details Complete documentation Clear client expectations Identified assumptions and exclusions Answers to contract and scope questions A strong understanding of the client's vision You'll work alongside our operations and project management teams to set projects up for success before construction begins. When questions come up regarding contracts, scope, pricing, or client expectations, you'll be one of the people the team can turn to. Organization & Lead Management Great estimating isn't just about numbers — it's about keeping opportunities moving. You'll be responsible for maintaining an organized lead pipeline and ensuring prospective clients don't fall through the cracks.

This includes:

Tracking leads and project opportunities. Maintaining follow-up schedules. Coordinating client meetings. Scheduling and independently conducting proposal meetings. Maintaining accurate project and estimating information. Using Buildertrend and/or Microsoft To Do to manage leads, follow-ups, and estimating tasks. Keeping internal teams informed about upcoming opportunities. Helping establish repeatable systems for the company's estimating and sales process. What Success Looks Like This position has significant ownership and measurable goals. Closing sales for the company on a regular basis. You'll also be expected to help maintain: Margin and Profit Accurate and clearly defined scopes Strong client communication Consistent lead follow-up Successful handoffs from sales/estimating into operations These aren't simply sales numbers. The goal is to create good projects — projects that are accurately estimated, properly scoped, profitable, and positioned for the construction team to execute successfully. Who We're Looking For We're looking for someone who is confident enough to sit across the table from a homeowner and say: You should be comfortable making decisions, asking questions, solving problems, and owning the outcome. The right person will likely have experience in one or more of the following: Residential construction estimating Remodeling Design General contracting Project management Construction sales Pre-construction High-end residential construction Trade or subcontractor management You should be able to: Read and understand construction drawings. Understand how residential construction actually goes together. Develop labor and material budgets. Perform or oversee takeoffs. Understand subcontractor pricing. Identify missing scope before it becomes a problem. Communicate professionally with homeowners. Present and sell projects without being a stereotypical "salesperson." Explain your numbers and reasoning to others. Work independently without needing someone to tell you what to do next. Manage multiple opportunities at different stages. Have difficult conversations when necessary. Find solutions instead of simply identifying problems. Balance client experience with company profitability. Construction experience matters more to us than a particular degree. If you've spent years in the field and understand what it actually takes to build a project, we'd like to hear from you.

What We Offer Guaranteed Salary Plus:

Performance bonus for exceeding goals Direct Primary Care 3% IRA company match 10 paid vacation days 5 paid sick days Gas card for work-related travel Opportunity to take significant ownership of the estimating and pre-construction process Work directly with homeowners and high-end residential projects Opportunity to help build and improve the systems behind a growing design-build company Why Nightingale? At Nightingale, we're not interested in building projects around a spreadsheet and hoping everything works out once construction starts. We believe the best projects are won before the first day of construction. That means understanding the client, asking the right questions, identifying problems early, building a realistic budget, communicating clearly, and giving the construction team a project they can actually execute. This role is a major part of making that happen. You'll have real ownership, direct access to leadership, and the opportunity to help shape how Nightingale approaches estimating, sales, contracts, and pre-construction as the company grows. If you're the kind of person who sees a complicated project and gets excited about figuring out how we're going to make it work , we'd like to talk. Apply if you're ready to own the number — and everything behind it. How to

Apply:

Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume, cover letter, and any relevant certifications to akrauss@nightingalecompany.com

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$80,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Health insurance Paid time off

License/Certification:

Driver's License (Preferred)

Work Location:

On the road