Job Description

The Sheet Metal Estimator plays a critical role in preparing accurate, competitive, and comprehensive cost estimates for mechanical construction projects. Working collaboratively with the estimating and project teams, this role is responsible for analyzing drawings and specifications, performing detailed quantity takeoffs, and assembling all components of a bid including labour, materials, equipment, and subcontractor pricing.

The Estimator supports the full bid lifecycle, from pre-bid meetings and site visits through to bid submission and project turnover, ensuring all pricing aligns with project requirements and organizational standards. This individual also contributes to budgeting, cost tracking, and continuous improvement by capturing historical cost data and refining estimating strategies.

Why This Role Matters to Modern Niagara

This role is essential to Modern Niagara’s growth and project success as it directly influences the company’s ability to win profitable work and deliver projects within budget. A strong Mechanical Estimator ensures that bids are both competitive in the market and financially sound, reducing risk and improving project outcomes.

By bridging pre-construction planning with project execution, the Estimator helps set projects up for success from the outset, supporting operational efficiency, maintaining client trust, and contributing to long-term business sustainability and reputation in the construction industry.

Key Impact / Purpose

• Drive Winning and Profitable Bids
• Enable Strong Project Planning and Execution
• Strengthen Market Competitiveness and Relationships

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Comfortably process tenders/bids for projects up to $50 Million Dollars
• Performing quantity takeoffs including entry into a computerized estimating system
• 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 project
• Prepares budgets for prospective projects
• Attend and participate in site-visits, pre-bid meeting and post-bid meeting as required.
• Participate in estimating turnover meetings with project team to assist planning and budget process
• Establish strong relationships with suppliers and sub trades to ensure sound and competitive pricing is received
• Reviewing project to develop win strategy.
• Reviewing final cost report with project team and develop for historical information.
• Interpret design information and have the ability to “draw-in” services and equipment in order to make for a complete system.
• Timing of all duties and responsibilities as set-up by the Estimating Policy and/or reviewed during estimating meetings.

Must-haves:

• At least 5 years of practical experience in organizing and preparing cost estimates and proposals for construction projects within a field or office setting
• HVAC and Sheet Metal estimating experience.
• Knowledge of commercial and institutional requirements
• Post-secondary diploma in mechanical or construction technology, or previous in-field experience
• Strong understanding of mechanical specifications, construction methods and procedures
• Excellent verbal and written communication, time management and multi-tasking in order to prioritize workload and stay on top of things as project demands increase
• Ability to calculate mathematical extensions, analyze and understand construction drawings, associated documentation, contracts, cost coding systems and work breakdown structures

Nice-to-haves:

This is a new position and expected annual compensation; $92,000 - $109,000

Modern Niagara offers a competitive total compensation package including:

• 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, Halifax 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.