Senior Pre-Construction Estimator in Charlotte, North Carolina at Climate Systems, LLC

Climate Systems is seeking an experienced Senior Mechanical Estimator to lead estimating and preconstruction for healthcare and industrial HVAC projects, with a strong emphasis on work contracted directly with facility owners.

This position combines technical estimating expertise with customer relationship skills. The Senior Estimator will work with Climate Systems account managers to meet with owners, facility managers, engineers, and capital project teams to understand their needs, evaluate existing systems, develop practical solutions, and present clear, complete proposals.

The ideal candidate can independently manage opportunities from initial site assessment through proposal presentation, scope negotiations, and turnover to operations.

Key Responsibilities

Owner Relationships and Project Development

• Serve as a primary estimating and preconstruction contact for healthcare and industrial owners.
• Work with Climate Systems account managers to assist building relationships with facility directors, plant managers, engineering teams, purchasing departments, and other decision-makers.
• Conduct discovery meetings and site visits to identify operational needs, project objectives, budget constraints, and scheduling requirements.
• Help account managers along with owners define project scope when complete drawings or specifications are unavailable.
• Present budgets, proposals, alternatives, and recommendations in language that supports informed decisions.
• Follow up on proposals, resolve scope questions, and support contract negotiations.

Estimating and Preconstruction

• Prepare detailed estimates for HVAC renovations, equipment replacements, system upgrades, and mechanical infrastructure projects.
• Perform takeoffs and develop labor, material, equipment, subcontractor, and general condition costs.
• Evaluate existing conditions, access limitations, demolition requirements, rigging, temporary systems, and installation sequencing.
• Solicit and evaluate vendor and subcontractor quotations for scope completeness and pricing.
• Develop conceptual budgets from site observations, owner discussions, narratives, and preliminary engineering.
• Identify scope gaps, project risks, allowances, exclusions, and contingencies.
• Develop value engineering options that address cost, reliability, maintainability, and operating requirements.
• Coordinate scope interfaces with controls, electrical, plumbing, insulation, testing and balancing, and commissioning.

Healthcare Projects

• Estimate projects in hospitals, medical offices, outpatient facilities, laboratories, and other healthcare environments.
• Account for occupied spaces, infection prevention measures, restricted access, noise limitations, and uninterrupted facility operations.
• Coordinate with owner teams to understand ventilation, pressure relationships, filtration, redundancy, and shutdown requirements.
• Include project phasing, temporary conditioning, after-hours work, and facility-specific requirements in estimates and proposals.

Industrial Projects

• Estimate projects in manufacturing plants, warehouses, production facilities, and other industrial environments.
• Evaluate HVAC, process cooling, ventilation, exhaust, makeup air, and supporting mechanical systems.
• Understand how installation activities and system shutdowns affect production.
• Develop pricing and execution assumptions that address plant access, safety requirements, equipment coordination, and shutdown windows.

Proposal Development and Operations Turnover

• Prepare professional proposals with clear scope, pricing, alternates, assumptions, exclusions, and schedule considerations.
• Review proposed execution plans with operations before finalizing pricing.
• Maintain organized estimate files and document owner commitments and scope changes.
• Conduct thorough project turnover meetings following award.
• Review completed project costs and apply lessons learned to future estimates.
• Support and mentor other estimating team members.

Required Qualifications

• At least 10 years of commercial or industrial mechanical estimating experience, including substantial experience with healthcare or industrial facilities.
• Demonstrated ability to estimate HVAC renovations, equipment replacements, and projects within operating facilities.
• Experience developing and presenting proposals directly to facility owners.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical systems, construction methods, labor productivity, and subcontractor scope.
• Ability to interpret drawings, specifications, equipment schedules, and field conditions.
• Strong written communication, presentation, negotiation, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with estimating software, digital takeoff tools, and Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to manage multiple opportunities and meet proposal deadlines.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to project sites.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with negotiated, design-build, and owner-direct mechanical projects.
• Established relationships within the healthcare or industrial market.
• Field installation, project management, or mechanical system troubleshooting experience.
• Experience estimating chillers, boilers, air handling units, hydronic piping, controls, and complex equipment replacements.
• Familiarity with healthcare construction protocols and industrial shutdown planning.

Professional Expectations

• Represent Climate Systems professionally in customer meetings, site visits, and proposal presentations.
• Follow company dress standards and facility-specific attire and safety requirements.
• Communicate respectfully, respond promptly, and follow through on commitments.
• Exercise sound judgment and provide accurate, transparent information.
• Demonstrate Climate Systems’ core values:
  Do what’s right.
Protect the herd. Own it. Get better every day.

Measures of Success

• Accurate, complete estimates that support project profitability.
• Clear proposals and effective presentations to owners.
• Strong customer relationships and repeat business.
• Timely proposal delivery and effective opportunity follow-up.
• Complete project turnovers with well-documented scope and commitments.
• Successful collaboration with engineering, vendors, subcontractors, and operations.