IC – Construction Estimator I

Remote | Outside the United States

Before You Apply

IC means Independent Contractor. This is an independent contractor service opportunity intended for professionals located in and providing services from outside the United States. It is not an employee position and does not include Company employee benefits.

Service providers are expected to provide their own computer, reliable internet connection, and two additional monitors (three screens total). High-Light Electric will provide access to the software, licenses, Company virtual desktop, systems, and platforms required to perform the contracted services.

Independent contractors control how they organize and perform their services, subject to agreed deliverables, bid deadlines, coordination requirements, confidentiality obligations, and the terms of the Independent Contractor Agreement.

About the Opportunity

High-Light Electric, Inc. is building an estimating structure that clearly separates quantity takeoff from full bid ownership.

Takeoff Specialists measure and organize quantities. Estimators take that work forward — reviewing the takeoff, verifying scope, pricing the work, managing bid communication, assembling the estimating package, and owning the bid from start to finish.

We are currently seeking professionals who can provide Estimator I-level services, owning standard construction bids from initial review through bid submission and post-award handoff.

Depending on a candidate's existing estimating experience and demonstrated readiness to own a complete bid, the path into an Estimator I scope may begin with a Takeoff Specialist II engagement to demonstrate advanced scope recognition, prime-bid takeoff capability, and readiness for full estimating responsibility.

Services & Deliverables

As an Estimator I, your contracted services will include:

• Run standard construction bids from initial review through bid submission and post-award handoff.
• Review and approve assigned takeoff packages, verifying quantities, plans, specifications, materials, installation requirements, scope completeness, coordination items, and bid risks.
• Price and assemble complete estimating packages, including bid worksheets, vendor and subcontractor quotes, bidder questions, addenda, and subcontractor information.
• Manage standard bid-related communication with vendors, subcontractors, owners, agencies, and other external project contacts through Company-authorized communication channels, escalating complex or nonstandard matters when appropriate.
• Coordinate pre-bid and bid-closeout reviews and provide a clear estimating recommendation before submission.
• After award, support contract execution, budget setup, required project documentation, and a clean handoff to the project team, and remain available for questions regarding the estimate and how the work was priced.
• Coordinate with Takeoff Specialists on assigned bid packages, including deadlines, package review, corrections, and missing information needed to complete the estimate.

The Estimator I is accountable for the completeness and quality of the final estimating package, including work incorporated from supporting takeoff packages.

What We're Looking For

A strong Estimator I should already be able to independently manage a standard construction bid from start to finish, rather than only performing quantity takeoffs.

Strong candidates will demonstrate:

• Practical construction estimating experience, including pricing and bid preparation.
• Experience reading and interpreting construction plans and specifications in English.
• Strong understanding of scope and the ability to identify missing, conflicting, or incomplete information.
• Experience reviewing takeoffs, vendor/subcontractor quotes, addenda, and other bid documents.
• Strong Excel proficiency required.
• Experience with Bluebeam Revu strongly preferred.
• Professional written and verbal English for estimating discussions and external bid-related communication.
• Strong attention to detail while maintaining an understanding of the complete bid.
• Clear, proactive communication when scope, pricing, quality, or bid deadlines may be affected.
• Accountability for the accuracy and completeness of contracted deliverables.
• Sound judgment when working with confidential pricing, plans, specifications, and competitive information.
• Ability to work independently while coordinating effectively with Estimating, Operations, and project teams.

Experience with U.S. construction, electrical infrastructure, civil scope, or public works is highly valuable.

How the Engagement Works

This is a deliverable-based independent contractor engagement, not a fixed-shift or timesheet-based position.

Contractors determine how they organize their work as long as agreed deliverables and bid deadlines are met.

Because construction bidding depends on vendor quotes, agenda, bidder questions, pre-bid coordination, and bid closeouts, some activities occur according to external schedules. California business hours are generally 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Pacific Time.

You are not expected to work a fixed 8–5 shift; however, you must be able to coordinate and remain reachable during the specific California-business-hour windows required for active bids.

All work-related communication and external bid communication must be conducted through Company-authorized systems and platforms so project information remains secure and properly documented.

Contractor Fees

Estimator I

Monthly Service Fee: $2,400 USD*

Productivity Bonuses: $533 USD per $1M on jobs won

*The monthly service fee is invoiced through the regular contractor payment cycle subject to a mutually agreed scope of work provided upon successful engagement. 

Productivity Bonuses may be earned on jobs won and are paid at the end of the month following the month in which they are earned, provided there are no unresolved estimating errors or outstanding rework associated with the applicable bid.

Production compensation is variable and depends on successfully awarded work.

These amounts are independent contractor service fees, not salary or wages. Final payment terms and conditions will be documented in the Independent Contractor Agreement.

Estimator Scope & Growth Path

Estimator I is responsible for standard construction bids from start to finish.

Candidates with demonstrated experience owning complete bids may be considered directly for an Estimator I engagement. Depending on experience and technical assessment, however, we will gladly consider less experienced but highly motivated candidates who will be engaged in a hybrid agreement to work for a set period as a Takeoff Specialist - with a written plan and provisions to learn the Estimator role while earning and learning. Takeoff Specialist involves advanced takeoff work on prime bids, including identifying electrical and civil scope, subcontracted work, coordination items, and missing information within the bid documents. Consistently demonstrating the judgment, accuracy, and scope awareness required at this level can establish readiness for an Estimator I scope. Contractors who later demonstrate the ability to handle greater bid complexity, autonomy, accuracy, and judgment may become eligible for an Estimator II expanded scope as business needs develop.

Estimator II handles large, complex, or multi-discipline bids, manages owner and agency communication with greater autonomy, and helps develop the takeoff function.

Estimator II Monthly Service Fee: $2,750 USD*
Estimator II Productivity Bonuses: $667 USD per $1M on jobs won

Changes in scope are not automatic or tenure-based. Eligibility is based on demonstrated capability, results, technical readiness, and business need.

About Mendoza Companies

Mendoza Companies is a multi-entity ecosystem of construction, services, and investment businesses operating under The Mendoza Way. The ecosystem includes High-Light Electric, Inc. (HLE) — a California-based union electrical infrastructure contractor founded in 1996 delivering public works and complex electrical construction across California — along with Mendoza Trust and an international independent contractor workforce.

We partner with Caltrans, municipalities, transit authorities, and infrastructure programs throughout California, with active expansion into Nevada, Arizona, and additional U.S. markets.

Mendoza Companies is guided by Mission 2040: the Mendoza Companies will be a $1-billion-dollar company, connecting 1,000 families and communities through business.

What to Expect in the Selection Process

Our selection process may include an AI-assisted interview through an authorized interviewing platform, followed by a conversation with Talent Acquisition via Microsoft Teams and additional interviews with members of our Estimating team and Company leadership.

Candidates who receive an AI interview invitation as part of this process should know that it is an authorized step in Mendoza Companies' recruiting process.

Equal Opportunity in Contractor Engagement

We are committed to providing equal opportunity in the selection and engagement of qualified independent contractors and do not discriminate on the basis of any characteristic protected by applicable law. This opportunity is for an independent contractor relationship and does not constitute an offer of employment.

Compensation: $2,400 USD monthly