RJS Grading

Contract Civil Estimator -- Grading, Sitework and Earthwork

Location: Raleigh, NC projects | Independent contractor or estimating firm | Proposed remote delivery

Deliver estimates that make quantities, costs, and project risks clear.

Target fees: $75 - $125 per hour, or an agreed fixed fee per assignment. Each engagement will have an approved scope, deliverables, and fee before work begins.

RJS Grading is a Raleigh-based civil excavation and underground utility contractor performing grading, sitework, utilities, clearing, demolition, hauling, and related site services. We value accountability, honest communication, quality work, safety, and learning together.

About the Engagement

We're seeking an independent estimator or estimating firm to support selected bids, estimating overflow, and agreed revisions. You'll prepare grading, sitework, and earthwork takeoffs that ownership can review and transfer into working job budgets.

Robert remains responsible for sales and final pricing. RJS selects bid opportunities and approves pricing, markup, terms, and submissions.

Work arrangement: Remote delivery is proposed. Site visits and meeting requirements will be agreed for each assignment. No minimum volume is promised.

Key Responsibilities

• Review civil plans, specifications, addenda, available geotechnical information, and scope requirements.
• Track drawing versions and raise requests for information or missing-information questions.
• Prepare traceable earthwork takeoffs covering applicable cut/fill, stripping, excavation, import/export, hauling, and disposal.
• State swell/shrink assumptions, unsuitable-material allowances, and other estimating allowances clearly.
• Quantify related sitework and underground utilities within the agreed scope and your expertise.
• Develop labor, equipment, materials, trucking, subcontractor, and other direct costs using agreed RJS inputs and supported production assumptions.
• Define quote needs and compare supplier and subcontractor inclusions, exclusions, and coverage gaps.
• Deliver marked-up takeoffs, editable worksheets, quote comparisons, assumptions, exclusions, and risk notes by agreed review dates.
• Support agreed revisions and change-order pricing, documenting changes and obtaining agreement for additional work.
• Help transfer awarded estimates into budgets and handoff packages, using completed-job feedback to improve future assumptions.

Qualifications

Required:

• Direct grading, sitework, or earthwork estimating experience, supported by relevant project examples and references.
• Ability to read civil drawings and quantify earthwork using appropriate takeoff software.
• Understanding of cut/fill, hauling logistics, equipment and labor production, and scope and quote comparisons.
• Ability to deliver organized, editable estimating files.
• Dependable turnaround, prompt communication of unknowns, and careful protection of client information.

Relevant civil estimating experience is necessary; general building estimating experience alone does not meet the scope of this engagement.

Preferred:

• North Carolina sitework and utility experience.
• Estimating for contractors that perform work with their own crews.
• Experience comparing estimated production with actual project results.

Fees and Engagement Terms

• Remote, Independent contractor.
• Target fee range: $75 - $125/hour, or an agreed fixed fee per assignment.
• Submit your proposed rate, estimated hours or fixed fee, deliverables, revision allowance, and turnaround.
• Rush work, site visits, and scope changes require a separate agreement.
• Fees and any paid sample assignment will be agreed in advance.
• This is a professional service engagement with no employee benefits or guaranteed volume.

Why Work with RJS Grading?

• Work directly with ownership on estimates that support real field decisions.
• Bring your civil estimating expertise to assignments with defined deliverables and review dates.
• Partner with a contractor that values clear assumptions, honest communication, and dependable follow-through.
• Use completed-project feedback to help improve future estimates and project handoffs.

Apply Today

Respond with your resume or firm overview, relevant project list, software, typical turnaround, and fee proposal. Include an anonymized earthwork takeoff or estimate sample you have permission to share, with quantities and assumptions visible. A short paid sample estimate may be used with finalists.

RJS Grading is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants and service providers without regard to legally protected characteristics.