Emma Vargas
LAUSD / PMCS GRP
Anaheim,CA
2027
years of professional experience
1
Certification
2
Languages
Strategic Project Estimator with expertise in managing large-scale projects from inception to completion. Delivered projects on time and within budget through effective resource allocation, cost analysis, and risk assessment. Fostered collaboration and adaptability to address evolving project demands, driving enhanced outcomes through focused planning and budget management.
Work History
Sr Project Estimator
11 Years 6 Months- Reviewed plans, specifications, and addenda to develop accurate project estimates.
- Analyzed subcontractor quotes, material pricing, and labor validations across mechanical, plumbing, electrical, civil, and architectural trades to ensure competitive and accurate estimates.
- Analyzed subcontractor quotes, material pricing, and labor validations, for Mechanical, Plumbing, Electrical, Civil, and Architectural trades
- Tracked estimating data, historical costs, and vendor information to enhance forecasting accuracy and inform project budgeting.
- Tracked estimating data, historical costs, and vendor information for consistent forecasting.
- Coordinated estimate reviews with project managers, architects, and design teams to align project expectations and improve estimation accuracy.
- Coordinated estimate reviews with project managers, architects, and design teams.
- Prepare Fair Cost Estimate for cost proposals for extra work, and negotiate with Contractors. /subcontractors. Uses RS means, NECA, MCAA, Caltrans equipment rates, DIR/labor Support staff on trades (prevailing wages) and other Government Approved databases. Trade / union rates, Blue Beam
- Projects: South ,West Region Comp Modernation Projects, ADA, HVAC upgrades, Site improvements, Electrical/Fire Safety /Communication/PA, Major Mod Projects, Greening /Environmental Projects.
Sr. Project Estimator / Cost Estimator
4 Years 11 Months- Plans prepares and participates in the preparation of construction cost estimates of buildings or other structures from drawings, outlines, and specifications.
- Reviewed scope documents to identify risks, omissions, and cost impacts.
- Validates, prepares Constructability, budget estimates and reviews estimates and forms and other materials submitted to secure State and federal grants and loans from school aid programs.
- Checks construction cost estimates submitted by commissioned architects and engineers for accuracy and completeness and compares them with District estimates.
- Confers with contractors, engineers to resolve differences in their cost estimates and District estimates for each project and negotiates to estimate with the contractor and vendors contract
- Checks segregation of contract costs as estimated by building contractors and recommends acceptance or rejection as a basis for progress payments.
- Analyzes change orders on construction work under contract and approves or rejects extra or credits submitted. Check Contractors labor is in compliance with the county’s prevailing wage (union rates) and project rates.
- Prepares Fair Cost Estimate for JO works, ADA Access Compliance reviews cost estimates for projects designed by District employees.
- Prepares Cost Estimates for (Electrical work) Fire Alarm Upgrade, Mechanical, HVAC upgrades, WLAN/WIFI Upgrade of most of the schools for South Region.
- Develops methods for maintaining data used in records, charts, and graphs reflecting estimated construction costs compared with actual costs.
- Attend and participates in seminars and workshops with District personnel and minority contractors relative to Cost Estimating, Change Order, JOC works program, contracts, and Expediting training.
- Estimates costs of damages to District property caused by fire, natural disaster and major acts of vandalism.
- Establishes budgets for school building projects.
- 5. Central Region High School # 16 (CENTRAL REGION) – Project Cost Estimator
- Uses RS means, NECA, MCAA, Caltrans equipment rates, DIR/labor Support staff on trades (prevailing wages) and other Government Approved databases.
- TBI & Assoc (2006 - 2010) – (213) - 612-4591
- Provide technical and cost engineering support to the OAR and project team; actively participates in construction cost of project.
- For LOS ANGELES NEW LEARNING CENTER #1 MS/HS, 2009-2012
- 2. SOUTH PARK ES TOWNE CENTER AVE, Los Angeles, CA 90003 (SR), Project Cost $6 Million) – Sr Project Cost Estimator
- Provided detailed project descriptions to outline scope and objectives for stakeholders.
- 3. East LA Star Academy, 391 N. Humphries Ave, Los Angeles, Ca. 90063
- This project is the 2nd phase of improvements for a comprehensive learning center at the site of the former Ambassador hotel in mid Wilshire district of Los Angeles (Korea Town ctr). It provides 1,000 new middle school seats, 2400 high school seats, a public park, restoration of the Los Angeles Ca 90043 (Hyde Park), Various projects. Project Core Supports Cocoa Grove and Pylon Structures, Athletic Facilities and two third site wide methane mitigation system. A new 130 Classrooms which relieved 9 schools in L.A. Site area is about 23.77 acres (391,848 sq ft). Budget of this school was approx $600M.
- CENTRAL LA HS # 1 : 2007-2009
- HELEN BERNSTEIN HIGH SCHOOL
- 1309 N. WILTON PL, HOLLYWOOD CA 90028
- Project Description:
- This project is located in the heart of Hollywood area where metro /Fox Studio was located. The site are is approx. area 238,492 sf and seats 2106 High School students in a 78 Classrooms and regular semester. The school will relieved 2 schools nearby. Total project cost approx. $177M.
- Duties and Responsibilities:
- Conducted thorough cost analysis for construction projects to ensure accurate budgeting.
- Provide technical and cost engineering support to the OAR and project team; actively participates in construction cost and pricing negotiations.
- Prepare detailed Fair Cost Estimates for Change Order as the basis for OAR for establishing price for negotiation.
- Assisted the OAR in change order pricing negotiations and performed related duties.
- Provide cost management and control services, prepare project budgets and cost estimates
- Maintain a detailed construction cost data base and pricing trends for construction trades materials and maintain a detailed project budget cost tracking system
- Assist OAR in preparing Construction Directives, and other administrative duties as assigned
- Responsible for coordinating between Contractor and Architect in the timely resolution of technical field issues
- Manage Architect for timely and accurate responses to RFI, RFC, CO
- Prepare detailed Estimates including man-hours, equipment cost, materials and labor.
- Review and prepare fair cost estimates on Change Orders, determine and confirm Equipment rates and etc.
- Review Plans / Specification and issued Request of Information in order to identify errors and omissions on the drawing or conflicts between plans and specification.
- Estimator, Project Management, Contracts Manager
- Bid Public Works projects for school modernization, new construction, and commercial structures.
- Assisted with negotiation and management of contractual arrangements, change orders, claims and disputes.
- Participate in establishing project status with contractors, negotiate and progress project proposal, prepare budgetary estimate, bid documents.
- Attend pre-bid conference/walk
- Prepare pay request (AIA 702 FORMS), change order, RFI and etc.
- Coordinate with Construction/Project Management/IOR for jobsite requirement, and other job order
- Los Angeles, CA
Sr. Estimator
4 Years 7 Months- Bid Public Works projects (school modernization/new construction, commercial structures) in budgets from $500K to $50M
- Prepared bid documentation including pre-qualification, takeoff quantities, pricing, and compliance with MBE and DVBE requirements.
- Prepare bid documentation (pre-qualification, takeoff quantity, pricing, MBE’s, DVBE’s)
- Review Plans / Specification and issued Request of Information in order to identify errors and omissions on the drawing or conflicts between plans and specification.
- Generated and analyzed company project unit cost
- Negotiated and managed contractual arrangements, change orders, claims, and disputes.
- Participated in pre-bid conference to clarify project details
- Solicited bids from subcontractors and negotiated contract terms
- Coordinated jobsite requirements including managing submittals and work orders
- Prepare union trust fund reports and some administrative duty
Estimator
9 Months- Prepare detailed Estimates including man-hours, equipment cost, materials cost and productivity rates using RS Means, National Cost Estimator, Caltrans Equipment rates and etc.
- Prepared detailed estimates including man-hours, equipment costs, material costs, and productivity rates utilizing RS Means, National Cost Estimator, and Caltrans equipment rates.
- Review Plans / Specification and issued Request of Information in order to identify errors and omissions on the drawing or conflicts between plans and specification.
- Bid Public Works projects (structurally concrete Water / Wastewater treatment plants, Water Filtration Plants and Mechanical pipeline.
- Created submittals, awarded contracts, defined vendor scope of work, and solicited materials services.
- Managed submittals, contract awards, vendor scope of work, and material service solicitations.
- Developed project proposals, budgetary estimates, and bid documents including pre-qualification, takeoff quantities, pricing, and solicitations to W/B/M and DVBE’s.
Quantity Surveyor
4 Years- Head Office tender Department, (Site QS for SMAG Project, composed of Civil, Steel, Building and Underground pipes, a Manufacturing plant, Chemical plant located in Pulau Sakra Sing)
- Closed accounts for project with clients and subcontractors, ensuring accurate financial reconciliation.
- Prepare and evaluate change orders done by our subcontractors
- Prepare progress claim to clients and to subcontractors
- Prepare Certificate of Completion for the project
- Prepare and establish final measurements
- Prepared monthly progress reports and as-built schedules for project submission to clients and consulting engineers using Microsoft Project.
- Prepare letter of intent, contracts, work order and documentation necessary to start the job ordered
- Performed quantity surveying tasks at head office, focusing on project bidding preparation. for the preparation of bidding projects (Project estimated value in $1M to $1B, mostly refineries, manufacturing plant, Petrochemical plant, bridges), bill of estimates, submittals, pre-bid meetings, site “walk around” and evaluation of bid cost which include derivation of unit prices.
Estimator
3 Years- Prepared bidding projects by conducting quantity take-offs, comparing quantities, procuring materials, sub-letting specialty works, and deriving costs based on prevailing market values for high-rise projects including condominiums, hotels, offices, and government projects
- Executed material take-offs for rebar, concrete, forms, and steel structures to ensure accurate project estimation
- Coordinated site activities during scheduled visits
- Occasionally assigned to site coordination
- Compiled a list of materials required for projects
Estimator
- Pacific Star Building, 23/F, corner Gil Puyat Ave., Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines
- Compiled bill of quantities and performed material takeoff to request accurate quotations for all works
- Deliberation of bid cost for submission with our president and engineering manager before submission
- Issued inquiries to subcontractors regarding material and equipment specifications
- Collaborated with president and engineering manager to deliberate bid costs prior to final submission
- Make queries to all subcontractors and other materials and equipment
Field Engineer
2 Years- Supervised site operations for design and build of shopping complex and wet markets in southern Manila, ensuring project adherence to timelines and specifications
- Prepared Bill of Quantities and conducted material takeoffs, managed material purchases, and developed activity schedules and progress reports for project tracking
- Coordinated with architects and structural engineers to implement and execute construction activities, facilitating effective communication and workflow
Education
B.S. - Civil Engineering
Graduate Certificate - Construction Project Management
Graduate Certificate - DRAFTING / CAD
Skills
Cost estimation
Cost analysis
Cost management
Scheduling and planning
Project management
Risk management
Field coordination
Quality control
Contract management
Team leadership
Cost estimating software
Accomplishments
- Used Microsoft Excel to develop inventory tracking spreadsheets.
- Achieved [Result] by completing [Task] with accuracy and efficiency
- Collaborated with team of [Number] in the development of [Project]
Affiliations
ACCE INTERNATIONAL
Certification
Registered Civil Engineer, Philippines No. 50340, Construction Project Management NOCCD, Anaheim CA, Change Order preparation training / Seminar for California Department of Architects, 2007 (LAUSD), Expedition Training (Software), LAUSD, 2006, Timberline Estimating Training, Tyree Organization, 2002, 10 Hour OSHA Certification, AACE international – So chapter, Member
LANGUAGES
English
Full Professional
Timeline
Sr Project Estimator
LAUSD / PMCS GRP
2015.04 - CurrentRead More
Sr. Project Estimator / Cost Estimator
TMAD - LAUSD
2010.04 - 2015.03Read More
Sr. Estimator
USS Cal Builders
2002.03 - 2006.10Read More
Estimator
SSC Construction, Inc.
2000.06 - 2001.03Read More
Quantity Surveyor
Sumitomo Construction Co., Ltd.
1995.01 - 1999.01Read More
Estimator
Fil Systems Inc.
1992.01 - 1995.01Read More
Field Engineer
Consolidated Markets and Development Corp.
1986.01 - 1988.01Read More
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Graduate Certificate from Construction Project Management
Read More
NOCCD - ORANGE COUNTY
Read More
CADD Drafting
Read More
SROC
Graduate Certificate from DRAFTING / CAD
Read More
Estimator
Ley Construction, Foundation Specialists
1988 - 1991Read More
Feati University
B.S. from Civil Engineering
Read More
SECTION NAME
- Resume of Emma Vargas
- 2017
Personal Information
Title: Sr. Project Cost Estimator / Project Engineer