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Construction Estimator

Somewhere

Fully Remote
Remote - South Africa
South Africa
US hours

Hirezar Summary for South African Applicants

This fully remote part time position at Somewhere explicitly welcomes applicants based in South Africa. As a remote position, you can work from anywhere in South Africa — whether you're based in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, or a smaller town.

Job Description

Construction Estimator

Employment Type:Part-Time, Independent Contractor(20 hours/week)

Work Model:Remote(Sourcing priority: Philippines)

Work Hours:US Business Hours alignment

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced, detail-drivenConstruction Estimatorto join our team on a part-time basis.

In this seat, your deep construction industry expertise will be the core driver of accurate, competitive, and profitable project bids. You will own the full estimation lifecycle—interpreting construction drawings, performing precise quantity takeoffs, analyzing material and labor costs, and assembling comprehensive cost estimates for residential or commercial projects. Rather than relying on specific proprietary software, this role prioritizes a deep technical understanding of construction scopes, building codes, vendor pricing structures, and trades execution.

Key Responsibilities

1. Quantity Surveying & Takeoff Execution
* Blueprint & Specification Analysis:Read, interpret, and analyze architectural, structural, MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing), and civil plans alongside project specification documents.
Blueprint & Specification Analysis:Read, interpret, and analyze architectural, structural, MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing), and civil plans alongside project specification documents.
* Material & Labor Takeoffs:Measure and compute complete, itemized material, labor, equipment, and subcontractor cost estimates across all applicable CSI divisions or project trades.
Material & Labor Takeoffs:Measure and compute complete, itemized material, labor, equipment, and subcontractor cost estimates across all applicable CSI divisions or project trades.

2. Vendor, Trade & Subcontractor Coordination
* Subcontractor Scope Evaluation:Solicit, review, and evaluate subcontractor bids and vendor material quotes—ensuring complete scope coverage with zero overlap or missing line items.
Subcontractor Scope Evaluation:Solicit, review, and evaluate subcontractor bids and vendor material quotes—ensuring complete scope coverage with zero overlap or missing line items.
* Cost Database & Market Pricing:Track real-time material price fluctuations, local labor rates, and supplier lead times to maintain realistic unit pricing.
Cost Database & Market Pricing:Track real-time material price fluctuations, local labor rates, and supplier lead times to maintain realistic unit pricing.

3. Proposal Preparation & Bid Strategy
* Detailed Cost Summaries:Assemble comprehensive bid proposals, budget estimates, and line-item cost breakdowns for executive and client review.
Detailed Cost Summaries:Assemble comprehensive bid proposals, budget estimates, and line-item cost breakdowns for executive and client review.
* Value Engineering & Risk Assessment:Identify site contingencies, constructability challenges, and potential project risks—offering cost-effective value engineering options where appropriate.
Value Engineering & Risk Assessment:Identify site contingencies, constructability challenges, and potential project risks—offering cost-effective value engineering options where appropriate.

Required Skills & Qualifications
* Professional Experience:5–8+ years of dedicated, hands-on experience inconstruction estimating, quantity surveying, or cost engineeringwithin commercial, residential, or civil building sectors.
Professional Experience:5–8+ years of dedicated, hands-on experience inconstruction estimating, quantity surveying, or cost engineeringwithin commercial, residential, or civil building sectors.
* Technical Blueprint Literacy:Exceptional ability to read, navigate, and mark up architectural blueprints, structural drawings, scope sheets, and trade specifications.
Technical Blueprint Literacy:Exceptional ability to read, navigate, and mark up architectural blueprints, structural drawings, scope sheets, and trade specifications.
* Deep Construction Knowledge:Comprehensive understanding of building materials, construction methods, labor crew productivity rates, trade dependencies, and project staging.
Deep Construction Knowledge:Comprehensive understanding of building materials, construction methods, labor crew productivity rates, trade dependencies, and project staging.
* Spreadsheet & Estimation Accuracy:Advanced proficiency with spreadsheets (Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets) for line-item calculations, unit rate breakdowns, and bid comparisons.
Spreadsheet & Estimation Accuracy:Advanced proficiency with spreadsheets (Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets) for line-item calculations, unit rate breakdowns, and bid comparisons.
* Communication Polish:Strong written and spoken English skills for clear collaboration with US project managers, engineers, and suppliers.
Communication Polish:Strong written and spoken English skills for clear collaboration with US project managers, engineers, and suppliers.
* Time Zone Alignment:Dedicated availability to work 20 hours per week aligned with US business hours from a Philippines location.
Time Zon

Tips for South African Applicants

Timezone Advantage

South Africa (SAST, UTC+2) overlaps well with European business hours and has a few hours of overlap with US East Coast. Mention your timezone flexibility in your application.

Salary in Context

Even without a listed salary, international remote roles typically pay 2-3x more than equivalent local positions in South Africa due to the exchange rate advantage.

Application Tips

Tailor your CV to international standards — use a clean format, highlight remote work experience, and include your English proficiency. Many SA applicants succeed by emphasising their strong work ethic and cultural adaptability.

Load Shedding Preparedness

If you're applying for a remote role, having a backup power solution (UPS, inverter, or generator) and mobile data as a backup internet connection shows employers you're prepared for South Africa's infrastructure challenges.

About Somewhere

Somewhere is a company in the Recruitment & Staffing industry that hires remote workers from South Africa. They currently have 1819 open positions on Hirezar. View all Somewhere jobs →