Estimator - Commercial Construction

Description:

About the Company Blue Sky Contractors, LLC is a full-service general contractor based in Appleton, Wisconsin, serving the Fox Cities and greater Wisconsin area since 2004. Founded by Ethan Fett, the company was built on a commitment to delivering superior construction services through experience, strong relationships, and a hands-on approach. Blue Sky provides construction services across a diverse set of markets, including industrial, municipal/government, commercial, retail, medical, religious, mixed-use/multi-family, and educational sectors. The team prides itself on being flexible, relationship-driven, and committed to meeting client expectations through high-quality execution. As a growing, family-oriented company, Blue Sky offers a collaborative environment with strong leadership visibility and the opportunity to directly impact the company's growth trajectory. Role Summary The Commercial Estimator is a mission-critical hire responsible for driving project acquisition and supporting company growth. This is not a takeoff-only role—this individual will operate as a strategic partner to leadership, helping shape what projects the company pursues, how they are priced, and ultimately how the business scales. This role offers high visibility, autonomy, and the opportunity to build and lead the estimating function over time. Key Responsibilities Prepare detailed and accurate cost estimates for commercial construction projects Perform quantity takeoffs from drawings and specifications Analyze bid documents, plans, and project requirements Solicit, evaluate, and level subcontractor and vendor bids Develop competitive bid strategies for both hard bid and negotiated work Identify risks, gaps, and cost-saving opportunities in estimates Collaborate directly with ownership and leadership on project selection Maintain and expand subcontractor relationships Support preconstruction planning and value engineering efforts Contribute to long-term estimating processes and department development Help define project targeting strategy (markets, clients, opportunities) Success Metrics Accuracy of estimates vs. actual project cost Bid win rate and contribution to revenue growth Quality and completeness of subcontractor coverage Timeliness of bid submissions Ability to influence project pipeline and company direction Benefits Healthcare Medical insurance (company pays ~50%) Dental & vision (100% covered for management level) Insurance Short-term disability (company paid) Long-term disability (company paid) Life insurance (company paid) Retirement

SIMPLE IRA

with 3% company match Compensation Competitive base salary (~$85K-$120K+ depending on experience) Semi-annual bonus tied to company performance Perks & Tools Company vehicle (for this role) Company credit card + gas (business use) Company phone + laptop Training and development paid for and encouraged Why Join Blue Sky High-impact role directly tied to company growth Work closely with ownership and leadership daily Opportunity to build and shape the estimating function Family-oriented, flexible culture No corporate bureaucracy Clear path for long-term growth and leadership potential

Requirements:

Required Qualifications 3-10+ years of commercial construction estimating experience Experience working for a General Contractor (preferred) or relevant subcontractor Proven ability to own full-cycle estimates (not just takeoffs) Strong understanding of: Construction methods and materials Labor and subcontractor pricing Ability to read and interpret blueprints and specifications Proficiency with: Bluebeam Procore Excel Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills Ability to operate in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment Preferred Qualifications Experience with projects in the $500K-$5M range Familiarity with the Wisconsin / Fox Cities subcontractor market Experience with both hard bid and negotiated/design-build work Leadership potential or experience building processes/teams