Architectural Casework Estimator

Company Description

Hillcraft of Wisconsin specializes in architectural casework, millwork, store fixtures, and displays. Serving corporate partners, general contractors, architects, designers, and developers, Hillcraft focuses on projects throughout Wisconsin and the Midwest while supporting client growth across the U.S. and Canada. The company is dedicated to cultivating long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with its clients. Hillcraft is known for quality craftsmanship and a strong commitment to customer satisfaction.

Role Description

This is a full-time, on-site role based in Madison, WI for an Architectural Casework Estimator. The Estimator will be responsible for analyzing project documents, estimating costs, preparing bids, and collaborating with internal teams including sales, design, and production. The role also involves researching material and labor costs, coordinating with suppliers, and ensuring estimates align with client requirements and project specifications.

REQUIREMENTS:

Experience pricing and bidding Architectural Casework & Millwork

Some experience preparing highly detailed Proposals for projects of varied scope, up to $500,000.00

Able to select relevant plan documents, and plot from AutoCAD and on-line Plan rooms

Able to accurately create time and material bids for custom casework and millwork

Able to work under deadline, and adapt to rapidly changing industry conditions, with a strong sense of urgency

Proficient with MS Excel, Word, Outlook

Superior analytical, negotiation and problem solving skills

Superior written and verbal communication skills

Superior organizational, leadership, and follow-through skills

Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and quality is mandatory

OVERVIEW:

• Prepare accurate and timely casework & millwork bids from architectural plan sets
• Continuously improve all methods and procedures used, to improve efficiency and performance
• Continuously seek out ways to reduce material and labor costs, to optimize pricing and margins
• Actively participate in and embrace hillcraft’s Lean Manufacturing programs. Much of the waste in manufacturing is created during the bidding and engineering process

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Fill out Pre-Bid Checklist form prior to beginning work on bid

Read Division 1 general requirements spec for insight into project timeline, phasing, and unique requirements such as bonding

Read Division 6 spec, as well as any other divisions we have been asked to bid

Locate all work in our scope/division(s) and highlight on floor plan

Submit RFI to architect and/or GC to clarify any unclear scope

Highlight and segregate alternate scope, price this separately as an Alternate, so as to keep base bid low

Price standard cabinets using cataloged historical time + material study data

Price millwork and custom casework by calculating labor hours & raw material costs from personal experience, and inputting into a formatted Excel spreadsheet

Price buy-out materials by obtaining vendor quotes and applying appropriate mark-up

Maintain knowledge of all in-house inventory and aggressively seek to use it to our competitive advantage

Prepare formatted Excel document Proposal with detailed scope list & exclusion list

Review final pricing with a lead Estimator prior to submittal

Submit Proposals to all known general contractor bidders

Create Bid File with all documentation neatly organized

Schedule a calendar reminder to inquire as to Bid Award status

Record Bid and its’ outcome on Bid Results tracking spreadsheet, determine root cause of all non-awards, and consider strategic changes necessary to improve award ratio

Label and store Bid Drawings and Bid File

Help generate new business by establishing new bidding relationships, and continuously improving existing relationships, with general contractors, architects, designers, and others

Review project scope and budget with Engineer prior to start of Engineering Drawings, to definitively control costs and quality of the project

Engage in continuous education, including staying abreast of all relevant industry guidelines, news, materials, and developments. Act as an expert resource to our Purchasing and BOM departments