Excavation Estimator
Manhattan Plumbing & Heating (MPH) is seeking an Excavation Estimator to own and elevate the company’s growing civil estimating and preconstruction function. This high-impact role is ideal for a grounded, operations-minded estimator who understands mountain terrain, sequencing, and real-world production—and who wants their judgment to directly shape how work is won and executed. The selected candidate will partner closely with the Excavation Manager and leadership to price work intelligently, surface risk early, and strengthen the estimating foundation that supports MPH’s next phase of growth.
Key Responsibilities
• Prepare accurate, defensible estimates for civil and excavation scopes including foundations, utilities, hillside work, site development, and infrastructure
• Build estimates grounded in realistic production assumptions that reflect terrain, access, weather, elevation, and logistics
• Identify and quantify major cost drivers (rock, groundwater, trucking, export/import, traffic control, access constraints) before bids are submitted
• Surface alternates and value engineering options early to support informed bid and scope decisions
• Price work with sequencing, staging, and constructability fully accounted for
• Flag schedule, access, geotechnical, and third-party risks and frame practical options—not just issues
• Own clean handoff from estimate to field, translating scope into quantities, targets, and field-usable narratives
• Participate in pre-job meetings to align assumptions, sequence, and execution strategy
• Close the loop at job closeout by comparing estimated vs. actual performance to sharpen future estimates
• Maintain and improve estimating workflows, historical cost data, and integration with Sage 100 job-cost structures
Hard Skills
• Civil / excavation estimating experience in mountain or alpine environments (Southwest Montana, Idaho, Colorado, or similar regions)
• Strong plan reading, site visualization, and comfort working with incomplete or evolving information
• Hands-on estimating experience for earthwork, foundations, utilities, and infrastructure
• Cost modeling for trucking, material movement, export/import, and long-haul logistics
• Understanding of how terrain, elevation, access, and weather impact production and risk
• Familiarity with estimating and accounting systems; Sage 100 experience is a plus
Soft Skills
• Operational thinker who works in sequence—not just quantities
• Clear, grounded communicator with field leaders, PMs, and ownership
• Comfortable challenging assumptions respectfully and constructively
• Sound judgment under ambiguity and complex site conditions
• Collaborative by default; no silos between estimating and operations
• Long-term, ownership-oriented mindset with pride in work after the bid is won
Benefits
• Competitive salary DOE + performance-based bonus
• Medical, dental, vision, retirement match, and PTO
• Onsite role in the Gallatin Valley (Manhattan/Bozeman), MT
• Founder-led, high-trust environment with strong field partnership and long-term stability
Why This Role Matters
MPH’s excavation work has reached a scale where estimating and preconstruction are strategic—not transactional. This role is central to pricing work intelligently, protecting margin, and setting the field up to execute safely and profitably.
For estimators energized by complex civil work, real mountains, and close partnership with the people who build what you price, this is an opportunity to make a visible, lasting impact.
About the Company
- Manhattan Plumbing & Heating (MPH) is a 90+ person, owner-led construction and service company serving the Gallatin Valley’s most discerning residential and commercial clients.
- The company generates over $20M in annual revenue and operates within a highly developed Sage 100 job-costing environment.
- MPH supports a wide range of work—from high-end custom residential projects to complex commercial systems across plumbing, heating, and service divisions.
- The business is in an intentional phase of scaling, investing in structure, systems, and leadership to support long-term growth.
- Known for its disciplined execution, technical expertise, and reliability, MPH is regarded as a trusted partner to contractors, homeowners, and businesses throughout the region. They choose their clients.
- Headquarters located in Manhattan, MT with operations throughout the Bozeman area.
Culture Insights
- Owner-led with deep roots: MPH is led by Abe, who has grown up inside the business and has spent nearly his entire career at MPH, working his way from laborer to partner. His leadership values are shaped by decades of hands-on experience and personal investment in the company’s people.
- Family-oriented and supportive: The company actively encourages work–life balance because, as Abe puts it, “if you are happy at home, you’ll do better for us at work.” Flexibility for family needs is a norm, not an exception.
- Stability and long-term commitment: After more than 20 years in business, MPH is committed to sustaining a strong, steady presence in the Gallatin Valley, with a culture built on loyalty, trust, and continuity.
- Practical, grounded expectations: The company values people who understand the work at a real, operational level—not just theoretically. This creates a culture that values competence, humility, and hands-on problem-solving.
- Community-minded beyond the jobsite: The team is deeply tied to the Gallatin Valley through active involvement in local events, organizations, and community initiatives. The company shows up for its community outside of work, reflecting the same loyalty and stewardship that define its internal culture.
- Strong company reputation: With 134 Google reviews and a 4.6-star rating, MPH is widely recognized for dependable service and high-quality work.
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