Construction Estimator – Doors, Frames, Hardware & Architectural Millwork
📍 Location: Milton, Ontario | GTA Projects
💰 Salary: $95,000 – $130,000 + Performance Bonus
🏢 Employment Type: Full-Time | On-Site
Envy Consulting Group is partnering with an established and growing construction subcontractor in the Greater Toronto Area to recruit an experienced Construction Estimator specializing in finishing carpentry, architectural openings, doors, frames, hardware, and millwork. Our client has built a strong presence in the construction industry, delivering specialized finishing and installation packages on high-rise residential, commercial, and institutional developments throughout the GTA. As the organization continues to grow, it is expanding its involvement in larger institutional, commercial, and publicly tendered construction projects.
We are seeking an estimator who brings strong technical expertise, understands the realities of construction execution, and can confidently manage the estimating process from initial tender review through project award. This is an opportunity to do more than prepare estimates. You will play an important role in evaluating new projects, strengthening bidding strategies, improving estimating processes, and supporting the company's expansion into new construction markets.
The Opportunity
Reporting to company leadership, the successful candidate will take ownership of estimating activities across a diverse portfolio of construction projects.
You will work closely with general contractors, suppliers, project managers, and field operations to develop competitive, accurate, and commercially sound bids.
Projects will span high-rise residential developments, purpose-built rental communities, commercial properties, and institutional facilities, including hospitals, schools, long-term care facilities, transit infrastructure, and other public buildings.
The ideal candidate understands both the technical specifications and the practical considerations of installation, labour productivity, material procurement, and project profitability.
Key Responsibilities
Estimating & Tender Management
- Lead the preparation of detailed cost estimates for finishing carpentry, doors, frames, architectural hardware, trim, and millwork installation.
- Review architectural drawings, specifications, door schedules, hardware sets, and construction documentation to determine project scope.
- Perform accurate material and labour quantity takeoffs using Bluebeam Revu and other estimating tools.
- Identify, evaluate, and qualify new tender opportunities from general contractors, developers, and public procurement platforms.
- Prepare comprehensive bid submissions, including pricing breakdowns, scope letters, exclusions, clarifications, bonding requirements, and prequalification documentation.
- Manage tender addenda, requests for information, and technical clarifications throughout the bidding process.
Cost Analysis & Supplier Coordination
- Develop competitive labour estimates using crew productivity benchmarks, union agreements, hourly rates, and piecework structures.
- Source, evaluate, and negotiate pricing with suppliers and subcontractors.
- Analyze quotations for doors, frames, finishing hardware, architectural millwork, and related building materials.
- Identify potential cost risks, scope gaps, and opportunities to improve project profitability.
- Maintain accurate estimating databases, historical pricing, and labour productivity benchmarks.
Project Collaboration & Commercial Support
- Collaborate with project managers and field teams to ensure accurate project handovers.
- Prepare project budgets, material procurement requirements, and labour-hour targets following contract award.
- Support change order pricing, scope negotiations, and post-award commercial discussions.
- Compare estimated versus actual project costs to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
- Develop and maintain productive relationships with general contractors, developers, suppliers, and industry partners.
Business Growth & Strategic Estimating
- Support the organization's expansion into publicly tendered institutional, commercial, and industrial (ICI) construction projects.
- Evaluate bidding opportunities based on project fit, competitiveness, operational capacity, and profitability.
- Contribute to bid/no-bid decisions and estimating strategies.
- Help strengthen internal estimating systems and processes as the business continues to grow.
What We're Looking For
We are interested in experienced construction estimators who understand the specialized nature of architectural openings and finishing carpentry.
Required Qualifications
- 5+ years of construction estimating experience, preferably with a specialized construction subcontractor.
- Direct experience estimating doors, frames, architectural hardware, finishing carpentry, trim, or millwork installation.
- Demonstrated experience preparing and submitting competitive construction tenders.
- Experience completing at least one publicly tendered ICI project submission, including scope documentation and bonding requirements.
- Ability to interpret architectural drawings, construction specifications, and technical documentation.
- Understanding of hollow metal and wood door systems, fire-rated assemblies, architectural hardware, and installation requirements.
- Ability to develop accurate labour, material, equipment, and installation cost estimates.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and competing tender priorities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, particularly when preparing bid submissions and coordinating with general contractors.
- Valid Ontario G driver's licence and ability to visit project sites throughout the GTA.
Additional Experience That Will Set You Apart
Candidates bringing any of the following experience will be particularly attractive:
- Estimating experience within a unionized construction environment, particularly under Carpenters' Union collective agreements.
- Familiarity with union labour rates, productivity standards, and piecework compensation structures.
- Experience estimating public-sector or institutional construction projects.
- Established relationships with general contractors and estimating departments throughout the GTA.
- Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (CIQS) certification or Gold Seal Certified Estimator designation.
- Diploma in Construction Engineering Technology, Architectural Technology, or a related discipline.
- Red Seal Carpentry certification combined with supervisory or estimating experience.
- Experience using PlanSwift, On-Screen Takeoff, Procore, or comparable construction management platforms
Compensation & Benefits
Our client recognizes the value of an experienced estimator who can contribute to both project execution and long-term business growth.
The compensation package includes:
- Competitive base salary: $95,000 – $130,000, depending on experience.
- Annual performance bonus: Targeted at 5%–10% of base salary, linked to project gross margin.
- Vehicle allowance.
- Comprehensive health and dental benefits.
- Employer RRSP matching.
- Three weeks of paid vacation.
- Formal 90-day performance check-in.
- Documented salary review after 12 months.
Why Consider This Opportunity?
Meaningful Impact: Your expertise will directly influence which projects the company pursues, how competitively it bids, and the profitability of awarded work.
Growth & Expansion: Join an organization broadening its project portfolio and pursuing new opportunities across the institutional and commercial construction sectors.
Project Variety: Work on a diverse range of construction developments, from high-rise residential buildings to hospitals, educational facilities, and public infrastructure.
Direct Access to Leadership: Collaborate closely with decision-makers and contribute to estimating strategy and business development.
Competitive Rewards: Benefit from a strong base salary, performance incentives, and a comprehensive benefits package.
Long-Term Career Opportunity: Become a key contributor within a growing construction organization where your technical knowledge and commercial judgment will be valued.
Interested in Learning More?
If you are an experienced Construction Estimator with expertise in architectural openings, finishing carpentry, doors, frames, hardware, or millwork, we would welcome the opportunity to speak with you.
Apply directly through LinkedIn with your resume.
We encourage applicants to highlight relevant projects, including examples of complex tenders, architectural openings packages, or institutional construction estimates they have successfully completed. This recruitment process is being managed exclusively by Envy Consulting Group on behalf of a confidential construction industry client.
