Duties: Interpret HVAC, plumbing, fire protection, architectural and civil design drawings, and specifications as they relate to mechanical work. Interpret design drawings, specifications, and documents to prepare quantity take-offs, analyses, and studies for mechanical systems like HVAC, plumbing, and fire-protection. Liaise and communicate with project stakeholders including engineers, designers, and project team; as well as external stakeholders including vendors, suppliers, and subcontractors in order to solicit competitive pricing proposals. Prepare mechanical cost estimates from conceptual phase to design development and through final construction documents. Participate in pre-bid meetings, bid strategy and presentation meetings with owners, A/E design team and internal team. Develop consolidated estimates in coordination with suppliers, vendors, and freight forwarders. Prepare bid-leveling sheets to assess completeness of all subcontractor proposals. Estimate self-perform approach and execution of mechanical trades for projects, including development of crew sizing and estimates of manpower needs. Assist in scope evaluations and in subcontractor negotiations and award recommendations upon bid award. Perform all aspects of procurement, including compiling contractual documents, executing Material Purchase Orders, Subcontract Agreements, and other contract matters with counterparties. Estimate new construction projects and renovation of institutional, commercial, and hospitality projects in the Caribbean. Use bid software including Procore, takeoff software including SAGE or Onscreen. Remote work is permitted.

Requirements: U.S. master’s degree in civil engineering and (3) years of progressive experience as a Cost Estimator. Will accept U.S. Bachelor’s degree or above plus five (5) years of progressive  experience as a Cost Estimator. Must possess three (3) years of experience in: leading mechanical estimating for HVAC, plumbing, and fire-protection systems; estimating for projects in excess of $350 million; estimating new construction and renovation of institutional, commercial,  hospitality, and military projects in the United States and Caribbean. Limited international travel and incidental domestic travel required to attend meetings and visit client sites.

Work Location: 2199 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Suite 201, Coral Gables, FL 33134. 40hrs/week. $130,000/year.

GENERAL SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Preconstruction Manager is responsible for the daily management, supervision, coordination, and successful completion of the project preconstruction phase, resulting in a signed construction contract for DCK. They shall achieve the cost and time objectives with respect to contracting, scheduling, estimating, and vendor bidding in addition to many times being responsible for some or all of the procurement. This position requires working closely with business development, marketing, estimating, operations, and the owner or owner’s representative. This position also requires travel and some extended stays as required by the needs of the project.

Job location:

Typically based in Coral Gables (Miami) corporate headquarters – full time. The position may require extended stays or relocation to project preconstruction locations.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Client Development:

• Promote the growth and development of client and designer relationships.

• Represent the company in a positive manner in all project meetings.

• Maintain a positive working relationship with client, architect, and/or engineer representatives to facilitate successful project execution.

• Seek and identify new work opportunities and inform development of potential projects with current and potential new clients.

• Participate in presentations to secure new work for DCK.

Relationship Skills:

• Has demonstrated the ability to interact with owners with positive results. Excellent written and verbal communication skills and carries themselves professionally in all meetings and interactions. Is viewed as a true advocate of the owner and someone they can rely on to build a team as well as a building.

• Ability to interact with architects/engineers with positive results. Excellent written and verbal communication skills and carries themselves professionally in all meetings and interactions. Is viewed by architects/engineers as a collaborator who is a positive influence on the team dynamics.

• Ability to interact with subcontractors with positive results. Excellent written and verbal communication skills and carries themselves professionally in all meetings and interactions. Is viewed as a trusted resource for subcontractors interested in securing business.

Contracts & Risk:

• Assure that the company estimates are accurate, complete and reflect the actual requirements of the project. This includes assuring there are an adequate number of qualified and financially sound subcontractor proposals received and evaluated through the DCK prequalification process.

• Assess and document location-specific information including, logistics, utilities, immigration, taxation, and business licensing as necessary.

• Assure that potential risk factors have been evaluated and reviewed with senior management (i.e. contract bond authorization, contract review, insurance review, etc.).

• Review subcontracts and major purchase orders, prior to issuance to the subcontractor, for compliance with the contract documents and the estimate.

• Proactively identify and solve problems to minimize risk.

• Maintain a detailed knowledge of all key owner and contractor contract terms & conditions.

Preconstruction:

• Prepare detailed estimates (conceptual, schematic, design development, construction).

• Assemble the estimate including general conditions (with input from Operations), special conditions, insurance, and bonds.

• Prepare and analyze cost models during the design development and/or bidding period.

• Create subcontractor/material supplier bid lists.

• Assist the estimating team in the solicitation and validation of subcontractor/material suppliers. Prepare bid packages, obtain bids from subcontractors and material vendors, and analyze bids from subcontractors and material vendors.

• Assure that an adequate and proper number of documents are available for estimating the project.

• Coordinate the assembly of the preconstruction material for presentation purposes to the owner (i.e. Design Development estimates or Guaranteed Maximum Price (“GMP”) booklets, etc.).

• Have a working knowledge of material unit costs, systems square foot costs, and total building square foot costs.

• Coordinate, manage and supervise the work of subordinate preconstruction members and support staff.

• Keep current on changes and trends in methods of construction and materials, construction costs, wage rates, fringes, and working rules.

• Identify and qualify new material suppliers and subcontractors and place them into the subcontractor database.

• Ensure that project information and communication is recorded and administered utilizing Procore.

Construction Planning:

• Participate in the preconstruction strategy meeting on the approach to the project or estimate.

• Coordinate and assure that a preliminary construction schedule has been developed for each estimate.

• Work closely with business development and operations for preconstruction, project updates, estimates, and other necessary tasks.

Performance measures:

• Preconstruction project transitions to a construction contract

• Manages the effort by assembling good teams, develops execution plans with specific timelines and expectations of the group, and holds people accountable

• Works well with the sales group, estimating, and other support functions to create the right strategy to win the work and produce a successful outcome.

• Has developed good and sustainable relationships with owners, architects, subcontractors, and internal team members

• Has achieved the cost objectives with respect to contracting, scheduling, estimating, and bidding

• Project estimates and cost proposals are accurate, reasonable, and encompass all AIA sections of the estimate

• Has provided all field project leadership with a successful turnover to the construction phase including estimating information to improve project performance

• Established a collaborative and productive relationship with key field personnel

Required Skills and Competencies:

• Has the ability to collaborate and work within multiple teams at multiple levels

• Thoroughly understands sales and estimating processes, acceptable risk thresholds, and construction execution to accurately manage the preconstruction process for complex projects

• Has the knowledge to lead and assemble complex cost proposals, understands what it takes to win a project

• Has the experience and communication skill to support and successfully transition the project from the preconstruction phase to the construction phase

• Has the courage and commitment to raise difficult issues, make difficult decisions, and see them through to resolution

• Proactively communicates internally and externally to keep stakeholders informed

• Has the leadership capacity to pursue and oversee projects spanning broad geographies CONUS and OCONUS

Required Experience and Education:

• 15+ years of diverse professional experience in project management, estimating, and scheduling

• 5+ years of field experience in project engineering/management

• Four-year college education, advanced degree desirable

• Federal, State, and private-sector experience

• Proficient and knowledgeable of required software products

Primary Function

Provide and/or coordinate full estimating services for a project or leading a team to complete a more complex estimate including responsibility for specific divisions of work/AIA sections of work.

Job Location

Fort Lauderdale – Florida. The position will require the ability to travel internationally to visit project sites, including meeting any COVID vaccination or testing requirements for these destinations.

Typical Duties

• Complete review and takeoff of plans and documents to ascertain project scope and estimating requirements.

• Assume responsibility of a project estimate.

• Participate in pre bid meetings, bid strategy and presentation meetings as requested.

• Perform conceptual estimate for budgetary purposes for potential clients.

• Complete detailed takeoff and quantity estimate for all self-perform work.

• Provide technical support and/or prepare estimates as required. Assist in making the “sale”.

• Provide complete conceptual or actual estimate by divisional AIA code and final estimating input on complex projects

• Coordinate, supervise and review work of assigned department personnel to ensure accuracy and completeness.

• Coordinate with suppliers, designers, freight forwarders, and all other relevant stakeholders.

• Manages the solicitation and pre-qualification of subcontractors.

• Review and evaluate alternate design systems and value engineering ideas to facilitate installation durations and/or cost. Including preparation of studies, materials and methods, recommendations with detailed supporting information.

• Assign work to subordinates, direct and review their assignments and be responsible for accuracy and completeness of estimates prepared by subordinates.

• Ensure that all subcontractor and vendor proposals are thoroughly vetted and levelled for scope, time and cost.

• Ensure all working documents and data are maintained to back-up estimate figures.

• Upon bid award, assist operations department/project team in scope evaluations and subcontractor negotiations.

• Assist operations department in detailing phases of work, man-hours and production units for budget/cost reports.

• Perform periodic reviews of active projects estimated cost vs. actual cost, scope deficiencies, means and methods of self-perform work, schedule and project specific issues that affected the project estimate.

• Review and incorporate historical data from cost reports, productivity analysis reports, etc. into unit and man-hour database for current estimates.

• Assist the Chief Estimator in coordination of overall corporate estimating functions, including staff training.

• Perform additional duties as directed by supervisor.

Skills, Knowledge, Qualifications & Experience:

Educational and experience requirements include: 4 year engineering degree or equivalent combinations technical training and/or related experience. 10-15 years estimating, cost control, and/or engineering experience (at least 4 years estimating experience) in similar construction, Caribbean experience is highly desirable.

Thorough knowledge of estimating techniques, all engineering disciplines, cost control systems and accounting required.

Ability to estimate all types of projects/contracts, plus ability to coordinate and supervise group work effort essential.

SAGE estimating and eTakeoff experience highly desirable.

Primary Function

Provide full MEP estimating services for AIA divisions 21-28 and 33 as necessary on a project.

Job Location

Fort Lauderdale – Florida. The position will require the ability to travel internationally to visit project sites, including meeting any COVID vaccination or testing requirements for these destinations.

Typical Duties

• Complete review and takeoff of plans and documents to ascertain MEP project scope and estimating requirements.

• Participate in pre bid meetings, bid strategy and presentation meetings as requested.

• Provide complete conceptual or actual estimate for divisional AIA codes assigned

• Must have the ability to create MEP equipment/material procurement lists and assist project teams in the procurement of the same.

• Complete contract document/design reviews to assess value engineering or alternate solutions that may be desirable to incorporate in proposals.

• Assist in the preparation of studies, materials and methods, recommendations, and relative cost estimates as required. Perform conceptual estimate for budgetary purposes for potential clients.

• Coordinate, supervise and review work of assigned department personnel to ensure accuracy and completeness.

• Coordinate with suppliers, designers, freight forwarders, and all other relevant stakeholders.

• Coordinate with other senior and lead estimators, chief estimator, preconstruction and operations departments.

• Prepare detailed Bid Packages for MEP Subcontractors and Vendors as necessary.

• Ensure that all subcontractor and vendor proposals are thoroughly vetted and levelled for scope, time, and cost.

• Ensure all working documents and data are maintained to back-up estimate figures.

• Upon bid award, assist operations department/project team in scope evaluations and subcontractor negotiations. At times long lead procurement items will be the individuals responsibility to procure in advance of Project team assignments.

• Assist operations department in detailing phases of work, man-hours and production units for budget/cost reports and scheduling durations.

• Perform periodic reviews of active projects estimated cost vs. actual cost, scope deficiencies, means and methods of self-perform work, schedule and project specific issues that affected the project estimate.

• Review and incorporate historical data from cost reports, productivity analysis reports, etc. into unit and man-hour database for current estimates.

• Perform additional duties as directed by supervisor.

Skills, Knowledge, Qualifications & Experience:

Educational and experience requirements include: 4 year engineering degree or equivalent combinations technical training and/or related experience. 6-10 years estimating, cost control, and/or engineering experience (at least 4 years estimating experience) in hospitality construction, Caribbean experience is highly desirable.

Thorough knowledge of estimating techniques and MEP engineering disciplines required.

SAGE estimating, eTakeoff and SmartBid experience highly desirable.