Senior Civil Earthwork Estimator

Senior Civil Earthwork Estimator – Excavation, Grading & Underground Utilities Company: Bay Area Excavating & Grading Inc. Location: Bay Area, CA Job Type: Full-Time Compensation: Competitive base salary plus performance-based commission, with additional earning potential based on successful project awards and profitability. Base salary and commission structure will be determined based on experience and qualifications. Job Summary Bay Area Excavating & Grading Inc. is seeking a highly experienced Senior Civil Earthwork Estimator with a strong background in excavation, grading, site development, and underground utility construction. We are looking for a knowledgeable, detail-oriented professional who can independently review construction plans, perform accurate quantity takeoffs, evaluate project costs, and prepare complete, competitive estimates. The ideal candidate has extensive hands-on experience estimating heavy civil and earthwork projects and understands equipment production, labor costs, material pricing, trucking, disposal, and construction methods. Our company performs residential and commercial excavation, grading, underground utilities, drainage systems, foundation excavation, road improvements, and drilling operations throughout the Bay Area. Key Responsibilities Independently review civil, grading, structural, utility, and geotechnical plans to determine complete project scopes. Perform detailed earthwork quantity takeoffs, including cut/fill calculations, excavation volumes, import/export quantities, and off-haul requirements. Prepare accurate cost estimates for rough grading, site preparation, excavation, backfill, compaction, and road improvements. Estimate foundation excavation, retaining wall excavation, grade beams, keyways, conventional pier drilling, and helical pile installations. Estimate underground utility work, including storm drainage, sanitary sewer, domestic water, fire lines, and associated trenching and backfill. Estimate drainage and detention systems, septic excavation, and other site infrastructure. Calculate equipment requirements, production rates, labor hours, trucking costs, material quantities, and subcontractor expenses. Obtain and evaluate supplier and subcontractor quotes. Identify missing scope, plan discrepancies, constructability concerns, and potential project risks. Prepare detailed bid proposals, including pricing breakdowns, qualifications, assumptions, exclusions, and clarifications. Review project specifications and geotechnical reports to identify soil conditions and construction requirements. Coordinate directly with company ownership, field personnel, vendors, general contractors, and clients. Manage multiple estimates and meet bid deadlines. Assist with bid reviews, negotiations, change orders, and project handoffs. Develop competitive pricing while protecting company profitability. Required Qualifications Minimum 7–10 years of estimating experience in excavation, grading, heavy civil construction, or site development. Demonstrated experience independently preparing complete earthwork and site development bids. Strong knowledge of excavation methods, grading operations, soil conditions, compaction, and equipment production rates. Ability to accurately calculate cut/fill quantities and earthwork volumes from construction drawings. Experience estimating underground utilities, drainage systems, and associated excavation. Strong understanding of equipment operating costs, labor productivity, materials, trucking, and disposal expenses. Proficiency in Bluebeam, Microsoft Excel, and digital estimating or quantity takeoff software. Familiarity with AGTEK, HCSS HeavyBid, or comparable estimating software. Ability to read and interpret civil, structural, utility, and geotechnical plans. Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills. Ability to work independently and take responsibility for estimates from start to finish. Preferred Qualifications Experience …

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