Construction Estimator 🏗️ 🔍 💼 (Commercial Projects | Canadian Architectural Firm | Remote)

Goodwork is recruiting for a Canadian-based architecturally-minded construction firm.

What makes this opportunity interesting

• Work with a design-focused construction firm led by architects
• Contribute to beautiful, forward-facing spaces where people gather
• Join a company that values relationships over bureaucracy

About the Company

We&aposre an architecturally-minded construction firm specializing in creating exceptional interior spaces where people gather and connect. Our mission: to serve clients and end users seeking a compassionate, design-focused partner who balances technical excellence with thoughtful aesthetics.

We offer three flexible service models: construction management, general contracting, and design-build. This versatility adapts to any relationship dynamic whether clients need full project oversight, construction management only, or integrated design-build services. Our transparency is our hallmark we present clear cost information and deliver on promises, creating collaborative partnerships where clients benefit from our expertise while maintaining their vision.

Our clients span corporations, tech startups, hotels, and senior living communities throughout Canada. Corporate projects concentrate in Ontario, while hospitality projects extend coast to coast. We partner selectively with clients investing in themselves whether creating beautiful post-COVID workplaces or establishing inspiring environments that reflect their identity and values.

With 60 years of combined construction experience and expertise in project management and architectural science, we&aposve built relationships with prestigious clients including Mozilla, Ubisoft, and Nickelodeon. Our passionate professionals excel in delivering complex commercial projects on time and within budget, ensuring even elaborate developments meet the highest standards.

OUR COMPANY VALUES guide our team and shape our culture:

• Design Excellence: As architects by training, we prioritize technical quality and thoughtful design in every project we undertake
• Human-Centric Business: We build relationships based on trust, fairness, and mutual respect rather than rigid policies
• Intentional Partnerships: We carefully select clients who value quality and collaboration over simply finding the lowest bidder
• Problem-Solving Culture: We embrace challenges as opportunities to innovate and find creative solutions
• Continuous Improvement: We&aposre always open to fresh ideas and better ways of delivering exceptional spaces

We&aposre a hybrid organization with 10 teammates, including project managers, project coordinators, and building site managers, supported by an extensive network of specialists (engineers, designers, and technical consultants). We&aposre headquartered in Toronto, with our team based throughout the Greater Toronto Area coming into the office once or twice weekly while working remotely the rest of the time.

Our culture feels like family by design. As a 'designer&aposs builder' led by architects, we prioritize technical excellence over mere financial metrics. We remain intentionally small to medium-sized, embracing a trust-based approach that balances mentorship with autonomy. Rather than creating process-driven workflows, we cultivate independent problem-solvers who take ownership and think creatively. This entrepreneurial spirit keeps us nimble, open to fresh ideas, and free from rigid hierarchiesmaintaining a youthful energy that welcomes innovation despite our decades of combined experience.

About the Role

We&aposre looking for a remote Construction Estimator to manage our preconstruction processes from initial client contact through project handover.

In this role, you&aposll handle diverse project opportunities coming through multiple channels. You&aposll adapt to each situationwhether analyzing completed designs, consulting clients on early space planning, or responding to referrals. Your daily work will include quantity takeoffs, trade coordination, and client consultations while maintaining our high standards for quality and accuracy.

Your ability to read construction drawings as visual contracts is essential. You&aposll need to clearly understand where responsibilities begin and end. As the starting point of our project delivery, your work directly affects our success and client satisfaction. You&aposll be the bridge between what clients envision and what we can practically deliver.

Our IDEAL CANDIDATE brings 3-5 years of experience in commercial construction estimating or related preconstruction roles. You have strong attention to detail and can extract important information from complex drawing sets. You understand construction drawings as visual contracts with clear responsibilities and boundaries. You&aposre self-motivated and recognize how your work impacts our entire process - as the starting point of our project delivery, you enable our leadership team to focus on business relationships while you help increase our project volume and contribute directly to our company&aposs growth.

Your performance will be measured by proposal quality, bid execution, deadline adherence, and your ability to coordinate information effectively from subtrades while maintaining accuracy.

You&aposll collaborate with our entire team and contractor partners. This position reports directly to our Director of Business Development and Director of Operations.

Youll be doing things like:

• Project Intake & Bid Management: Adapting to diverse project opportunities from multiple channels; processing complete designs from architects; consulting clients on early-stage space planning; responding to relationship-based referrals; evaluating strategic public RFPs; creating clean, comprehensive bid packages.
• Quantity Takeoffs & Cost Estimation: Completing detailed takeoffs for demolition, millwork, drywall, framing, finishes, and furniture; overseeing specialized electrical/mechanical estimates from subtrades; extracting hidden requirements from drawings; creating precise cost projections from specifications.
• Strategic Pricing & Analysis: Collaborating on competitive bid strategies; applying insights from previous projects; identifying advantages based on geography or timing; evaluating occupied space considerations; developing approaches for seasonality and site challenges.
• Trade & Supplier Coordination: Broadcasting opportunity announcements to secure participation; distributing comprehensive drawing packages; fielding technical questions; managing clarification requests; maintaining consistent communication to gather accurate pricing and scope details.
• Proposal Development: Customizing templates for specific projects; assembling polished, detail-oriented documents; tailoring content to client needs; ensuring accurate technical representation; maintaining exceptional presentation standards and clarity.
• Handover & Transition Support: Facilitating smooth transitions to execution teams; providing estimation context when needed; documenting key inclusions/exclusions; supporting initial project setup; addressing questions about estimate assumptions during construction.
• Process Improvement: Conducting post-project analyses; comparing estimates to actuals; suggesting methodology enhancements; documenting lessons learned; contributing to estimation accuracy improvements; participating in estimation process refinements.

Skills & Qualifications

• 3-5 years of prior experience in roles like Construction Estimator, Quantity Surveyor, Preconstruction Specialist, or related.
• Exceptional ability to extract critical information from construction drawings and specifications
• Proficiency with estimating software and takeoff tools across multiple construction disciplines
• Strong technical understanding of commercial construction methods and materials
• Ability to analyze complex architectural drawings and identify hidden requirements
• Excellent communication skills for coordinating with internal teams and external partners
• Strong organizational abilities to manage multiple bids under tight deadlines
• Meticulous attention to detail with a proactive problem-solving mindset
• Ability to remain composed under pressure when managing complex challenges

Bonus if you also have:

• Experience in construction scheduling, project management, or design
• Graphic design skills for creating visually enhanced proposals and presentations
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD, Google SketchUp, or similar design tools
• Background in engineering, architecture, or even legal fields
• Familiarity with our tools: Planswift, Bluebeam, MS Office (Excel, Outlook), MS Project

Position Details

Working Hours: Fixed - 8:30AM-5:00PM Eastern Time Zone (ET)

Employment Type: Full-time (40 hours/week), Exclusivity Preferred

Education:Engineering, construction or architectural education preferred, with relevant experience

Level: Intermediate (3-5 years of relevant work experience) to Senior (6+ years)

Compensation:CAD $1,545 $2,060 (IDR 18M24M)/month, based on experience. Structured as a Consultant Agreement (independent contractor), meaning you&aposll be responsible for your own taxes, benefits, and insurance.

Benefits of working with us:

• Work directly with a forward-thinking company with high-profile clients
• Work from the comfort of your home
• Collaborate with incredibly talented, design-minded teammates
• Enjoy healthy work-life balance
• Earn an above-market compensation, competitive for your region
• Access lots of learning & growth opportunities for professional development
• Possibility for paid travel to our Toronto HQ (for Latin American talent)
• Contribute to beautiful spaces that make a difference for people and businesses

Not sure you meet all the requirements Apply anyway! We value diverse experiences and hire for potential.

If you don&apost hear back within 4 weeks, assume you weren&apost selected, but Goodwork may still reach out about other remote roles.