Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Residential Construction Estimator at Robert Wolfe Construction is a seasoned, hands-on estimator who owns every residential estimate from first plan review through final pricing, performing detailed takeoffs, building complete scopes of work, and verifying subcontractor pricing so clients receive accurate, complete numbers they can build on.

ABOUT ROBERT WOLFE CONSTRUCTION

Robert Wolfe Construction is a general contractor based in Gretna, Louisiana, building custom homes and handling residential renovations and additions, historic renovations, home elevations, mitigation projects, roofing, and commercial construction. For more than 30 years, the company has served homeowners and businesses across the Greater New Orleans area and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Built on integrity, transparency, and quality craftsmanship, RWC continues to grow in the market it has served for three decades, with a team whose long tenure reflects the company's commitment to building careers, not just filling jobs.

SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

• Every residential estimate that leaves RWC is complete, accurate, and ready for the client without ownership reviewing it line by line, because this estimator owns the process from plan review through final pricing.
• Subcontractor proposals are verified against plans, specifications, and quantities before any number is carried, estimated versus actual costs are tracked on completed projects, and each new estimate is sharper than the last.
• RWC's subcontractor and vendor network is broader and more responsive, new qualified subs bid regularly, and clients trust the estimator's guidance on selections and value-engineering options that keep projects on budget.

OBJECTIVES

• Own residential estimates for custom homes, renovations, additions, historic renovations, mitigation projects, home elevations, and roofing from first plan review through final pricing.
• Review architectural, structural, civil, and MEP plans and specifications, and perform detailed quantity takeoffs directly from construction documents.
• Take off and price every trade, from sitework, demolition, and concrete through framing, roofing, exterior, MEP, drywall, cabinets, flooring, and interior finishes.
• Identify the related work created by demolition, repairs, unforeseen conditions, and changes to existing structures so renovation scopes are complete before they are priced.
• Work directly with clients on plumbing, electrical, and finish selections, offering design input and value-engineering options that protect quality while keeping projects on budget.
• Prepare complete scopes of work for subcontractors and vendors, solicit bids, and follow up until complete pricing is returned on time.
• Review every subcontractor and vendor proposal against plans, specifications, quantities, and materials, flagging exclusions, gaps, overlaps, missing trades, and unclear allowances.
• Compare bids apples-to-apples and request revised proposals whenever pricing does not match the requested scope.
• Develop labor, material, equipment, subcontractor, allowance, and contingency pricing, and prepare estimate summaries, budgets, and alternates.
• Maintain and expand RWC's network of qualified subcontractors and vendors, building relationships that keep subs responsive and eager to bid.
• Maintain estimating records, support handoff meetings into construction, and compare estimated versus actual costs to improve future estimates.
• Conduct job walks and site visits for renovation scopes, and schedule walks with subcontractors as projects require.
• Assist with commercial estimates as experience and workload allow.

COMPETENCIES

• Owns every estimate from start to finish, knowing that a number leaving RWC's office is a commitment the whole company has to deliver on.
• Reads plans the way a builder does, seeing how changing or removing one item in a renovation affects framing, MEP, finishes, and every trade that follows.
• Catches what others miss, spotting incomplete scopes, plan conflicts, and subcontractor exclusions before they turn into cost overruns or change orders.
• Builds relationships with subcontractors and vendors that make them want to bid, while holding firm on complete, apples-to-apples pricing.
• Communicates clearly and honestly with clients, subcontractors, and the RWC team, delivering the real number and the options behind it even when it is not what someone hoped to hear.
• Manages multiple estimates and bid deadlines at once, staying organized and following up consistently so no estimate stalls waiting on pricing.
• Balances quality and budget with practical judgment, bringing value-engineering ideas that keep projects achievable without cutting corners.
• Represents Robert Wolfe Construction professionally with every homeowner and trade partner, knowing that three decades of reputation rest on getting the details right.
• Brings a long-term mindset, eager to grow with a company where team members build careers measured in decades.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 10 years of residential construction estimating experience required, including strong experience estimating new homes and residential renovations and managing multiple estimates and bid deadlines simultaneously.
• Ability to read and interpret construction plans and specifications independently and perform detailed takeoffs required, along with working knowledge of residential construction methods, materials, labor, and trade sequencing; historic renovation, home elevation, mitigation, insurance restoration, or roofing experience preferred.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills required; Buildertrend experience strongly preferred, and Xactimate knowledge and commercial construction estimating experience preferred.
• Bilingual English and Spanish communication skills strongly preferred, as are existing subcontractor and vendor relationships in Southeast Louisiana.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to work on site at RWC's office in Gretna, Louisiana, on a 40-hour weekly schedule of 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Must be able to travel to job sites for periodic job walks and site visits, including existing homes and active renovation projects, and accommodate occasional evening or weekend availability when a bid deadline or project requires it.
• Must be able to work at a computer for extended periods performing takeoffs, building estimates, and managing subcontractor and vendor bid communication.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Base salary: $60,000 starting base salary.
• KPI compensation: Additional compensation tied to established key performance indicators.
• Health insurance: Health insurance with 50 percent of the cost paid by the company.
• Retirement: 401(k) retirement plan.
• Paid time off: Two weeks 
• Holidays: Paid holidays.
• Career growth: Long-term career and advancement opportunities, including room to expand into commercial estimating as the company grows.

If this position caught your eye, send us your resume! For best consideration, include the job title and source where you found this position in the subject line of your email to careers@cardoneventures.com. Already a Robert Wolfe Construction candidate? Please connect directly with your recruiter to discuss this opportunity.

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