Description

Senior Residential Construction Estimator

Lead the Estimates. Guide the Team. Represent the Company.

Ottawa, ON | Full-Time | Hybrid-Friendly

Salary: $90,000 to $120,000 per year, depending on experience

Sunter Homes Inc. | Beauty Built To Last

Who We Are

At Sunter Homes, we have been building beautiful residential projects in Ottawa since 2010. We believe construction starts long before the first shovel hits the ground, and that strong estimating is central to every successful project.

We care about building ethically, supporting each other, serving our clients professionally, and doing work we can be proud of.

Why This Role Matters

We are looking for a Senior Residential Construction Estimator / Team Lead who can bring accuracy, judgment, leadership, and professionalism to our pre-construction process.

Along with producing estimates and material takeoffs directly, you will help manage a small estimating team, maintain standards, review work for accuracy, and act as a key contact for an important external client program.

A significant part of this role involves high-volume residential material takeoffs for a major national client program. You will also estimate complete Sunter Homes projects, including materials, labour, sub-trades, and overall project scope.

For the right person, this is a clear pathway toward an Estimating Manager position. We are looking for someone who can estimate well, lead people, protect client relationships, improve systems, and help build a stronger department.

The Right Fit Is Someone Who…

  • Is both an estimator and a leader: You can estimate well, coach others, review work, and manage priorities.
  • Represents the company professionally: You can be trusted with an important client relationship.
  • Can estimate complete project scopes: You understand materials, labour, sub-trades, and full residential construction scopes.
  • Loves clarity and detail: You take pride in clean takeoffs, organized scopes, and accurate quantities.
  • Understands residential construction: You can read architectural and structural drawings and understand what they mean in the field.
  • Communicates clearly: You write and speak professionally with clients, team members, suppliers, and trades.
  • Manages pressure well: You can balance accuracy, turnaround time, client expectations, and team workload.
  • Takes ownership: You triple-check your work because people are counting on it.
  • Improves systems: You can learn custom software, follow workflows, and improve internal processes.

Responsibilities

  • Prepare detailed material takeoffs from plans.
  • Prepare full residential estimates, including labour and sub-trades.
  • Manage daily estimating priorities for a small team.
  • Review estimates and material takeoffs before submission.
  • Maintain consistent estimating standards.
  • Act as the key client-facing contact for a major external program.
  • Coordinate RFQs with suppliers and sub-trades.
  • Clarify drawings, scopes, pricing, and deliverables.
  • Train and support junior estimators.
  • Improve templates, workflows, and internal systems.
  • Maintain confidentiality and professionalism.

What You’ll Need

  • Strong Ontario residential estimating experience.
  • Experience with material takeoffs and full project estimates.
  • Practical knowledge of residential construction methods.
  • Strong knowledge of Ontario Building Code, Part 9.
  • Confidence reviewing architectural and structural drawings.
  • Clear written and spoken English.
  • Spreadsheet and digital estimating proficiency.
  • AutoCAD or similar plan-review experience.
  • Strong organization and follow-through.
  • Ability to lead a small team and manage client expectations.

What Would Be an Asset

  • Team lead, supervisor, or estimating manager experience.
  • Custom home, addition, renovation, framing, and low-rise experience.
  • High-volume takeoff program experience.
  • Supplier and sub-trade pricing experience.
  • Process improvement or software implementation experience.
  • Strong knowledge of Ontario Building Code, Part 3.

What You’ll Get

  • $90,000 to $120,000/year, depending on experience.
  • Annual performance bonus and full benefits.
  • Hybrid-friendly setup once trained.
  • Flexible work hours.
  • Free team lunch every Friday.
  • 3 weeks vacation, plus 1 week paid time off at Christmas.
  • Sunter-branded gear, including a 7-in-1 jacket.
  • Private work line and email.
  • Support for continuing education.
  • Clear path toward Estimating Manager.

What Our Team Says

“Sunter Homes is a good company where you can apply all your knowledge, constantly learn and grow professionally. The flexibility it provides allows you to maintain a balance between family and work. The atmosphere is charming and the team is always willing to help.”

– Current Employee

A Note to Applicants

This is a senior role. We are looking for someone who can estimate well, lead a small team, and represent the company professionally with an important client.

Please be clear about:

  • Experience as a Senior Estimator.
  • The types of residential projects you have estimated.
  • Whether you estimated materials, labour, sub-trades, or full scopes.
  • Any team leadership or client-facing responsibilities.
  • The software, spreadsheets, and drawing tools you have used.

We review applications carefully and value honesty about scope and experience.