Construction Estimator (Contract / Consultant) - High End Residential

Construction Estimator (Contract / Consultant)
High-End Residential | San Francisco Bay Area (Remote OK)



CMA Development is a small, design-driven general contractor based in San Francisco, focused on high-end residential remodels and additions. We work closely with architects and designers and place a high value on accuracy, clarity, and realistic early-stage pricing.



We are looking for an experienced construction estimator to support us on an hourly, as-needed basis. This is not a part-time or full-time position. The role is intended to relieve a consistent estimating bottleneck and help us build a repeatable, reliable estimating framework for our level of work.



What This Role Is



This role is focused primarily on early-stage / Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) estimating. Our typical flow is:



• Vet Client, receive bid set.
• Produce ROM estimate using unit pricing and historical metrics
• Once approved, the project advances into design development
• Later-phase pricing is handled internally by our PM/APM using subcontractor / vendor bids



Your responsibility would be owning the ROM estimating phase and helping us continuously improve the accuracy and structure of those early estimates.



Key Responsibilities



• Build ROM estimates based on drawings, scopes, and unit-cost metrics
• Work exclusively in JobTread (takeoffs + budget creation)
• Help develop and refine a master estimating framework that reflects our subcontractor pricing and project type
• Create and maintain unit pricing, assemblies, and cost logic that can be reused across projects
• Collaborate with the principal to calibrate estimates against real-world outcomes
• Adjust pricing logic over time as data improves



Software & Workflow Expectations



We use JobTread as our estimating and project management platform. This role must either:



• Have working fluency in JobTread, or
• Demonstrate strong aptitude and willingness to quickly adapt to JobTread workflows



We are specifically trying to avoid duplicative admin work. Estimates must live in JobTread, not spreadsheets that need to be recreated later.



Experience We’re Looking For



• Prior experience estimating high-end residential projects
• Strong grasp of unit-cost and systems-based estimating
• Ability to work with incomplete or early-phase drawings
• Comfort collaborating and calibrating numbers rather than working in isolation
• Pragmatic, realistic pricing instincts (not generic or production-builder metrics)



Compensation & Structure



• Hourly, 1099 contract role
• Paid for actual estimating time on an as-needed basis
• Workload will vary depending on project pipeline
• Long-term relationship preferred if the fit is strong



This Role Is a Good Fit If You:



• Enjoy early-stage estimating and problem-solving
• Like building systems and reference frameworks, not just one-off bids
• Prefer flexible, project-based work over a staff role
• Are comfortable integrating into an existing team and workflow



If this sounds aligned, please reply with a resume, brief description of your estimating background, the types of projects you’ve worked on, and your experience with JobTread or similar platforms.