Mechanical Estimator (Charlotte, NC)
- Compensation
- Not disclosed
- Location
- Not listed
- Work setup
- Not specified
- Seniority
- Not specified
- Employment
- Contract
- Experience
- 10+ years
- Category
- Industrial engineering
- Posted
Must have
- At least 10 years of commercial or industrial mechanical estimating experience, including substantial experience with healthcare or industrial facilities.
- Demonstrated experience estimating HVAC renovations, equipment replacements, system upgrades, and projects within operating facilities.
- Experience developing and presenting proposals directly to facility owners or their representatives.
- Strong knowledge of mechanical systems, HVAC construction methods, labor productivity, equipment installation, and subcontractor scope.
- Ability to interpret mechanical drawings, specifications, equipment schedules, engineering documents, and field conditions.
- Experience developing detailed estimates, conceptual budgets, quantity takeoffs, and project proposals.
- Proficiency with estimating software, digital takeoff tools, and Microsoft Excel.
- Strong written and verbal communication, presentation, negotiation, and organizational skills.
- Ability to manage multiple project opportunities, prioritize competing deadlines, and deliver proposals on schedule.
- Valid driver's license and ability to travel to customer facilities and project sites.
Nice to have
- Experience with negotiated, design-build, and owner-direct mechanical construction projects.
- Established relationships within healthcare, industrial, manufacturing, or institutional facility markets.
- Previous field installation, mechanical project management, service, or troubleshooting experience.
- Experience estimating chillers, boilers, air handling units, hydronic piping, HVAC controls, and complex equipment replacements.
- Familiarity with healthcare construction protocols, infection prevention requirements, and work in occupied facilities.
- Experience with industrial shutdown planning, production-sensitive installations, and facility access restrictions.
- Knowledge of value engineering, lifecycle cost considerations, and mechanical system performance optimization.
- Experience mentoring junior estimators or supporting the development of estimating processes.
Full description
Senior Mechanical Estimator – Job Description
Position Overview
The Senior Mechanical Estimator is responsible for leading estimating and preconstruction activities for commercial, healthcare, and industrial HVAC and mechanical projects. This role focuses on developing accurate, competitive, and profitable estimates for renovations, equipment replacements, system upgrades, and complex mechanical infrastructure projects, with a strong emphasis on negotiated and owner-direct work.
The Senior Mechanical Estimator works closely with account managers, facility owners, engineers, facility management teams, vendors, subcontractors, and operations personnel to identify project requirements, assess existing conditions, develop practical solutions, and prepare comprehensive proposals. This position requires a combination of technical estimating expertise, customer relationship management, field assessment capabilities, and strong communication skills.
The ideal candidate can independently manage opportunities from initial discovery and site assessment through conceptual budgeting, detailed estimating, proposal presentation, scope negotiation, and final turnover to operations.
Key Responsibilities
Mechanical Estimating & Preconstruction
- Prepare detailed estimates for HVAC renovations, equipment replacements, system upgrades, and mechanical infrastructure projects.
- Perform quantity takeoffs and calculate labor, material, equipment, subcontractor, and general condition costs.
- Interpret mechanical drawings, specifications, equipment schedules, engineering documents, and field conditions to establish accurate project scopes and pricing.
- Conduct site visits and evaluate existing systems, installation conditions, access limitations, demolition requirements, rigging, and construction sequencing.
- Develop conceptual budgets based on site observations, owner discussions, project narratives, and preliminary engineering information.
- Identify scope gaps, project risks, allowances, exclusions, contingencies, and potential cost impacts.
- Evaluate labor productivity, installation methods, equipment requirements, and subcontractor scope to develop realistic cost projections.
- Coordinate mechanical scope interfaces with controls, electrical, plumbing, insulation, testing and balancing, and commissioning.
- Maintain organized estimating documentation, assumptions, pricing records, and supporting calculations.
Owner Relationships & Project Development
- Serve as a primary estimating and preconstruction resource for healthcare and industrial facility owners.