Estimator

Role overview

This position focuses on building precise and competitive cost estimates for residential homebuilding projects. The estimator will help keep budgets aligned with design choices, pricing assumptions, and current market conditions, while supporting sales, construction, and purchasing teams. The role is based in a production or semi-custom homebuilding setting, where standard plans are used alongside customer-selected upgrades and options.

Key responsibilities

• Create detailed cost estimates for new home builds using plans, specifications, and selected options.
• Review drawings and technical documents to determine the required materials, labour, and equipment.
• Set and maintain pricing for base homes, optional features, and upgrade structures.
• Partner with sales and design teams to make sure customer selections are priced accurately.
• Request, evaluate, and compare subcontractor and supplier quotations to keep costs competitive.
• Update estimating systems, cost databases, and historical pricing records on an ongoing basis.
• Identify opportunities to reduce costs and recommend value-engineering alternatives.
• Track shifts in material pricing, cost movements, and overall market conditions.
• Assist with budgeting and forecasting for upcoming communities and projects.
• Coordinate with construction and purchasing teams so estimates reflect real build costs.
• Help investigate and resolve differences between projected costs and actual job costs.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in Construction Management, Engineering, or a similar discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
• At least 2 to 5+ years of estimating experience in residential construction, ideally in production or semi-custom homebuilding.
• Solid knowledge of residential building methods, materials, and workflows.
• Ability to read and interpret architectural drawings and specifications.
• Hands-on experience with estimating tools, Excel, and ERP or homebuilding platforms such as NewStar, BuildPro, or comparable systems.
• Strong numerical, analytical, and troubleshooting abilities.
• Excellent eye for detail.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.

Work environment

This is an onsite role in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, supporting cross-functional coordination across sales, design, construction, and purchasing teams.