Job Description

The mechanical estimator plays a critical role within the major projects estimating team by preparing accurate and competitive cost estimates, budgets, and bid submissions for complex mechanical construction projects. This position analyzes drawings, specifications, labour requirements, materials, equipment, and subcontractor pricing to develop comprehensive project estimates that support successful project acquisition and execution. Working closely with operations teams, suppliers, and subcontractors, the mechanical estimator helps ensure project scope, risks, and costs are fully understood and captured.

Why This Role Matters to Modern Niagara

The mechanical estimator directly contributes to Modern Niagara's growth and profitability by ensuring projects are priced accurately, competitively, and strategically. Through detailed analysis, risk assessment, and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, this role supports informed business decisions, helps secure new work, and provides the financial foundation for successful project delivery.

Key Impact / Purpose

• Drive Winning and Profitable Bids
• Support Effective Project Planning and Budget Management
• Mitigate Risk Through Thorough Analysis

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Performing quantity takeoffs including entry into estimating software
• Preparation, final review, and submission of Bid Documents to ensure all bid requirements are met
• Assemble all elements of an estimate including labour, material, equipment, and subcontractor pricing
• The ability to prepare takeoffs using drawings and documents that may be less than 100% complete
• Understand the labour variances between project types and apply appropriate correction factors
• Provide detailed labor breakdowns for each area to assist with budget creation and management of the project
• Prepares budgets for prospective projects
• Attend and participate in site visits, pre-bid meetings, and post-bid meetings as required
• Participate in estimating turnover meetings with the project team to assist with the planning and budget process
• Establish strong relationships with suppliers and sub-trades to ensure sound and competitive pricing is received
• Reviewing project to develop a win strategy
• Reviewing final cost report with the project team and develop for historical information
• Interpret client and design information and have sufficient industry and design knowledge to interpret and include for a complete system.
• Ability to critically review request for proposals, preliminary designs, estimates, proposals, and both external and internal information to enable best decisions to be made in consultation with management.
• Timing of all duties and responsibilities as set up by the Estimating Policy and/or reviewed during estimating meetings

Must-haves:

• Post-secondary diploma in mechanical or construction technology or other relevant technology field OR;
• Extensive experience in a mechanical contracting trade (Eng or CET considered an asset) OR,
• 5+ years’ relevant Mechanical Estimating experience with strong exposure across organizing and preparing cost estimates and proposals for construction projects within a field or office setting
• Able to work with our operations teams on ongoing projects in understanding the proper scope of work to be captured within change orders
• Able to facilitate subcontractors and vendors and assist them in providing pricing for the respective scope
• Being comfortable turning over pricing exercises in a short timeframe and working on multiple change orders for different projects at the same time
• Produce detailed estimates, and or proposal development for opportunities.
• Strong understanding of specifications, construction methods, and procedures
• Excellent verbal and written communication, time management, and multi-tasking to prioritize workload and stay on top of things as project demands increase
• Self-motivated with a strong willingness and ability to learn and be challenged
• Ability to calculate mathematical extensions, analyze and understand construction drawings, associated documentation, contracts, cost coding systems, and work breakdown structures
• Computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel, Powerpoint, Teams, Access, Project) and familiarity with a computerized estimating system (Autobid Mechanical and Autobid Sheetmetal) an asset
• Experience in commercial and institutional projects is an asset

Nice-to-haves:

This is a new position, and the salary range is between $58,000 - $81,000

Modern Niagara offers a competitive total compensation package including:

• Performance based bonus opportunities.
• Defined Contribution Pension Plan with a generous employer contribution.
• Flexible Health and Dental benefits with tiered options to meet the needs of you and your family.
• An annual health spending account to support your overall wellness.
• 24/7 confidential support through our Employee and Family Assistance Program with access to comprehensive resources and professional services.
• A competitive vacation package with additional vacation granted throughout your tenure with the organization.
• Employer Paid Parental Leave Top Up.
• Annual Community Day dedicated to volunteering and giving back to the communities where we live and work.
• Corporate Discounts through various vendors across Canada for programs such as fitness, mobile phones, travel, home and auto insurance and many others.
• Here at Modern Niagara, because we know our people are the best in the industry, we pride ourselves on providing a total compensation package that rewards employees for their hard work and supports employees and their families in their overall wellbeing.

About Modern Niagara

Who We Are
Modern Niagara helps building owners, managers, and general contractors meet the mechanical, electrical, integrated building technology, and building services needs of their buildings across Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Southwestern Ontario, and Ottawa.

We are committed to having a positive and meaningful impact on Canada’s infrastructure — and on the communities where we live, learn, work, and heal. We build for life.

Our Culture & Values
We value passion, initiative, determination, professionalism, and teamwork.

Health and safety are embedded in everything we do, and our award-winning safety culture consistently performs well above industry standards.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Modern Niagara
We are committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization where everyone has access to opportunity, feels a sense of belonging, and can thrive.

We actively work to remove barriers faced by members of equity-seeking groups (including women, Indigenous, Black, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, people with disabilities, and newcomers to Canada) in the construction industry.

We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and lived experiences and are committed to a barrier-free hiring process.

If you require accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us at careers@modernniagara.com so we can make appropriate arrangements.

We appreciate every applicant’s interest in joining Modern Niagara. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.