Civil Estimator - Mass Earthwork / Utilities

Gillett Excavating
Port Huron, MI

About Gillett Excavating

In just ten years, we’ve grown from a small residential startup into a company trusted to build the infrastructure that millions of people rely on every day, most of it buried underground, unseen but essential. We started by building assets; now we’re focused on building people. We believe hard work should lead to real rewards, accountability should create opportunity, and every project is a chance to raise the standard for what this industry can be.

How You’ll Contribute

We’ve grown to a point where bidding, training, and managing the field can’t all live on one plate anymore. As our first Estimator hire, you'll take ownership so we can stay accurate, responsive, and focused on building the people side of the company. You’ll handle customer communication, review plans and specs, and price work in a way that supports project success and profitability.

What You'll Get To Do

  • Ensure bids for $.5M-$6M projects in commercial and subdivision soil erosion control, demolition, mass grading, utilities, paving, and restoration are clearly defined.
  • Deliver realistic production goals and consistent margins with accurate quantities that translate directly to the field.
  • Prevent cost and constructability surprises through careful review of plans and specs to align bids with developer and municipal standards.
  • Compile bids through B2W, presenting clear, well-supported proposals that reflect true project value, not just the lowest price.
  • Sharpen future pricing, build relationships, and improve win rates through bid follow-ups and debriefs to learn how bids performed in the market.
  • Tighten future estimates and align field expectations by reconciling production data with bid assumptions.
  • Create plans that match how the work is actually built by collaborating with the PM on schedule development.
  • Work with a team of high performers who are hungry to grow, proud of the work they put in, and care about doing things right, not just fast. A crew that talks openly about what went wrong as often as what went right, learning from the "bummers" instead of burying them.

What You Bring

  • You understand the whole site package, from erosion control and demo through grading, pipe, paving, and finish work. You see how each step ties into the next and know how to apply real production rates so the numbers you bid hold up in the field.
  • You’re not a spreadsheet Estimator; you like to ground your numbers in the dirt. You’d rather see how production actually runs than guess from behind a screen.
  • You have a strong grasp of large-scale financial job costing (direct vs indirect costs, markup, overhead), and know how to price a job so it’s buildable and profitable.
  • You know how to read plans, interpret specs, and perform accurate takeoffs that produce quantities the field can trust.

Even Better, But Not Required

  • Excel skills
  • Finance experience
  • Familiarity with Insite Elevation Pro, Bluebeam, PlanSwift, Trimble GPS, B2W, GanttPro, and/or CloudRig 

What’s In It For You

Position-Specific Perks
  • Company Truck
  • Performance Bonus

Culture & Work Environment

  • Semi-flexible hours and days off with year-round work
  • A culture built on accountability, consistency, and open feedback
  • The owner works alongside the team, leading from the field as much as the office
  • A company mindset focused on growth, constantly learning, improving, and evolving together

Tools & Technology

  • Modern estimating and project management tools: Insite Elevation Pro, Bluebeam, PlanSwift, B2W, Trimble Business Center, and GanttPro
  • High-end computers and software to keep performance fast and reliable
  • A tech-forward team that’s always looking for smarter, more efficient ways to bid and build

Pay & Benefits

  • 401(k) with 4% company match
  • 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees, and 50% for family
  • Paid bonus program tied to company and individual performance
  • Two weeks of paid time off


We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other protected status. We are committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within our workplace and creating an environment where all individuals feel valued, respected, and supported. We comply with all applicable laws governing EEO and affirmative action, and we ensure that all employment decisions are made solely based on job-related qualifications and merit.

Posted 2026-01-06

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