Project Manager/Estimator

As a Project Manager/Estimator at our client, your primary responsibilities will revolve around managing disaster restoration and reconstruction projects. This will involve preparing detailed estimates using software like XActimate and Symbility, coordinating with contractors, and ensuring timelines are met. You'll spend a harmonious mix of time in the field and office while maintaining effective communication with both insurance adjusters and clients, handling change orders, and delivering excellent customer service throughout the project lifecycle.

To qualify for the Project Manager/Estimator role at our client, you should have a minimum of 3 years of construction-related project management experience. Familiarity with residential and light commercial projects is crucial, ideally speaking to experience with scopes ranging from $5K to $2M. Proficiency in construction estimation tools such as XActimate or Symbility is expected, along with a technical degree or relevant certifications. Strong interpersonal skills and a valid driver's license will help ensure your success in this position.

In the Project Manager/Estimator role at our client, familiarity with various software tools is essential. You will primarily use XActimate or Symbility for estimate preparation, DASH for project management, and Microsoft Office Suite (including Word, Excel, and Outlook) for communication and reporting. Mastery of these tools will streamline your workflow and enhance your efficiency in managing construction and restoration projects.

The projects you will engage in as a Project Manager/Estimator at our client will mainly revolve around disaster restoration and reconstruction. Expect to work on both residential properties, which will constitute about 70% of your assignments, as well as some light commercial projects making up the remaining 30%. Your portfolio could range from smaller projects worth $5K to larger ones amounting to $2M.

Teamwork is pivotal in the role of Project Manager/Estimator at our client. You will be collaborating closely not just with your administrative team but also with contractors, vendors, and clients to ensure every project runs smoothly. Effective communication and the ability to build strong relationships with local subcontractors will directly affect the project outcomes. With a team-oriented environment, your contributions alongside others will lead to collective success.

In answering this question, try to detail the project scope, challenges you faced, your strategic approach to problem-solving, and the successful outcome. Highlight your management techniques and how you coordinated various stakeholders to show your ability to lead effectively.

You want to emphasize your proactive planning and communication strategies. Talk about how you monitor project expenses closely and address potential overruns early by exploring alternative solutions or renegotiating with contractors while keeping the client informed throughout.

Discuss the estimation tools you're proficient in, particularly XActimate or Symbility. Share how you utilize historical data, local pricing benchmarks, and material costs to deliver accurate and detailed estimates that align with project goals.

Explain your organizational strategies and tools you use to keep track of deadlines and deliverables, such as project management software like DASH. Highlight your ability to assess project urgency and importance, focusing on effective time management.

Provide examples of processes you use for quality assurance, such as regular inspections and detailed documentation. Emphasize the importance of communication with your team and stakeholders to ensure that all parties are aligned and informed.

Illustrate your interpersonal skills and customer service approach. Describe how you proactively listen to their concerns, keep communication lines open, and engage in problem-solving to maintain a positive relationship and trust throughout the project.

When discussing a change order, break down the sequence of events, how it was communicated to all relevant parties, and the steps you took to manage the adjustment within budget and time constraints. This shows your adaptability and negotiation skills.

Talk about your commitment to safety and how you enforce safety protocols by conducting regular safety briefings and ensuring compliance with regulations. Sharing a personal story where you successfully implemented safety measures can also be impactful.

Use this opportunity to highlight your established relationships and negotiation skills. Discuss how you evaluate subcontractors based on qualifications and past performance, ensuring you collaborate with reliable partners to achieve project success.

This is a chance to reflect on your experiences. Discuss specific challenges like time constraints or dealing with unforeseen issues during reconstruction while emphasizing your strategies for overcoming these obstacles and delivering successful results.