Lead Estimator

The role of the Lead Estimator at Holland Homes is to ensure every home we build is accurately estimated, clearly documented, and efficiently prepared—laying the groundwork for exceptional construction execution. This position plays a critical role in helping our teams deliver quality homes on time and on budget.

At Holland Homes, we believe great homes begin with great planning. From lot fit to final finishes, our success depends on a meticulous pre-construction process. The Lead Estimator ensures we enter every build with clear expectations, aligned costs, and well-documented scopes.

Everything we do must be executed with urgency, accuracy, and clarity. As Lead Estimator, you are expected to operate with professionalism, accountability, and a team-first mindset to support every estimating-related function across the company.

It is required to live local to the Auburn office, within a 30-minute commute, and be present in the office on a daily basis to ensure collaboration and momentum across departments between the hours of 8A.M. and 5 P.M.

Position Overview

The ideal candidate will have 3+ years of experience analyzing project specifications, floorplans, and drawings to prepare accurate cost estimates for residential single-family construction. This role plays a critical part in ensuring every home is built with clear scopes, aligned budgets, and cost transparency from the start.

This role is based in Auburn, AL, with an expectation of daily presence at the office to ensure seamless collaboration across teams, active participation in weekly leadership meetings, and engagement in quarterly company events.

Reports to: Director of Pre-Construction

Responsibilities will include:

1. Cost Estimation

Prepare detailed estimates for labor, materials, equipment, and subcontractor services.

Interpret architectural and engineering drawings to build accurate takeoffs.

Collaborate with the Purchasing team to align estimates with current vendor pricing.

Adjust estimates as scopes or plans evolve during the pre-construction process.

2. Budget Alignment

Work with Purchasing and Finance to confirm budgets during job setup.

Identify scope gaps, omissions, or areas of potential cost risk.

Ensure budget handoff accuracy between Pre-Construction and Production teams.

3. Variance Tracking

Monitor estimate-to-actual variances and adjust future estimates accordingly.

Support internal reviews of job costing performance and process improvements.

4. Project Communication

Coordinate with Sales, Pre-Construction, and Production teams to support project readiness.

Participate in project meetings and proactively communicate cost updates and risks.

Help ensure selection and scope decisions align with budget targets.

5. Documentation & Organization

Maintain clear digital records of estimates, revisions, and scope notes.

Contribute to refining templates and improving estimating workflows for scale.

Support administrative processes as directed by the Head of Pre-Construction.

6. Construction Knowledge

Maintain a strong understanding of residential construction methods and materials.

Stay informed on current trade pricing and construction trends.

Offer value-engineering suggestions when appropriate.

7. Perform other duties as assigned

The Person

You are a methodical and organized construction professional who thrives in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment. You understand that great builds start with great planning, and you take pride in delivering clear, accurate estimates that set every project up for success.

You bring:

Attention to Detail: You work precisely and consistently, knowing that clarity on the front end prevents confusion down the line.

Team Collaboration: You work seamlessly with internal teams, helping bridge gaps between scopes, selections, and costs.

Construction Acumen: You understand how residential projects come together and apply that insight to every estimate.

Process Mindset: You contribute to scalable, efficient workflows that support a growing pipeline of projects.

Accountability & Urgency: You take ownership of your work, communicate proactively, and move with purpose.

Data-Driven Thinking: You use real data and job feedback to improve accuracy, efficiency, and consistency.

You are a hands-on contributor who is comfortable managing complex estimates, solving problems, and supporting the team with professionalism and care. You lead through ownership—not through direct reports—and help uphold Holland Homes’ commitment to excellence.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to visit job sites and perform site assessments as needed.

Capacity to work in an office environment and handle multiple projects simultaneously.

Job Type: Full-time

Work Location: In person, Auburn, AL

Benefits:

401(k)

401(k) Matching

Dental Insurance

Disability Insurance

Health Insurance

Life Insurance

Paid Time Off

Vision Insurance

Employee Discount