Tommy Hartford
@tommyhartford
Senior civil utility estimator driving cost control, bids, and delivery.
United StatesWhat I'm looking for
I’m an accomplished Senior Civil Utility Estimator and Senior Project Executive with 25 years delivering civil utility work—from conceptual/budgetary stages through hard bid submissions, contract negotiation, and post-construction analysis. I’m highly proficient in HCSS HeavyBid, Bid2Win, and OST, and I’m currently implementing and training in InEight Estimate to further sharpen accuracy and estimating speed.
I optimize equipment and manpower for the safest, most efficient use of resources while developing strong relationships with clients, inspectors, and engineers across the Midwest, Texas, and Arizona. In my recent roles I’ve led bid package development, created take-offs and RFQs after pre-qualifying vendors, and helped teams standardize estimating departments with clear processes that improve efficiency, transparency, and win rates.
Experience
Work history, roles, and key accomplishments
Senior Estimator - W/WWTP
Integrated Water Services
Dec 2024 - Present (1 year 7 months)
Develop and analyze public and private bid opportunities for W/WWTP plant facilities throughout Texas. Lead bid package development, scenario pricing for self-perform vs subcontracted options, and create take-offs and RFQs for vendors.
Chief Estimating Consultant
B&F Contracting, Inc.
May 2024 - Present (2 years 2 months)
Develop and train estimating staff and assess business processes to establish best practices. Research and implement a new estimating software platform and support contract award negotiations through estimate hand-off to operations.
Owner / Chief Estimator
LUC Group, LLC
Apr 2018 - Mar 2024 (5 years 11 months)
Provide complete estimating services, contract review/analysis, and project close-out reviews. Manage permitting and project approvals, job cost tracking and resource management, and lead customer relationship cultivation and market expansion.
Lead Estimator / Project Consultant
Legacy Underground Corporation
Jul 2015 - Apr 2018 (2 years 9 months)
Deliver estimating services and contract review/analysis, including project close-out reviews. Troubleshoot logistical challenges, support permitting and approvals, and assist business development and relationship cultivation with new clients.
Estimator / Operations Manager
R. Nichols Excavating, Inc.
May 2015 - May 2017 (2 years)
Implemented Foundations Construction Accounting Software and HCSS HeavyBid, supporting complete estimating and project planning. Managed field operations and equipment procurement, implemented HCSS dispatcher fleet management, and increased sales from 2015 to 2016.
Operations Manager / Senior Estimator
Legacy Underground Corporation
Oct 2013 - Jul 2015 (1 year 9 months)
Support start-up sewer/water utility operations across staffing, licensing, credit and bonding, client development, and estimating/execution. Implement foundations construction accounting and HCSS HeavyBid and manage manpower and equipment procurement.
Project Manager / Lead Estimator
Hartford & Sons
Aug 2006 - Sep 2013 (7 years 1 month)
Managed site utility projects end-to-end from bid estimation through project close-out. Generated new business using budgeting and constructability analyses, forecasted and audited project costs and cash flows, and implemented/optimized HCSS HeavyBid for multi-phase, multi-year civil utility contracts.
Sewer/Water Crew Foreman
Hartford & Sons
Aug 1999 - Aug 2006 (7 years)
Managed multiple utility crews for sewer/water site utility installation across the Greater Chicago Metro and Tri-State areas. Ensured code compliance, inspections/testing, material procurement, and led means-and-methods execution including equipment allocation, shoring, and job phasing.
Education
Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework
City of Chicago
Plumbing Contractor's License, Plumbing (Licensing)
2008 -
Held a Plumbing Contractor's license with the City of Chicago starting in 2008 and continuing to present.
State of Illinois
Illinois Plumbing Contractor’s License, Plumbing (Licensing)
2008 -
Held a State of Illinois Plumbing Contractor's license starting in 2008 and continuing to present.
City of Chicago
Drainlayers' License, Plumbing (Licensing)
2005 -
Held a Drainlayers' license with the City of Chicago starting in 2005 and continuing to present.
City of Chicago
Plumbers' Journeymen License, Plumbing (Licensing)
2005 -
Held a Plumbers' Journeymen license with the City of Chicago starting in 2005 and continuing to present.
HCSS HeavyBid Onsite Training
HCSS HeavyBid Onsite Training, Construction Estimating Software (HCSS HeavyBid)
2009 - 2015
Completed HCSS HeavyBid onsite training across multiple sessions from 2009 to 2015.
HCSS HeavyBid University
HCSS HeavyBid University 101 & 201, Construction Estimating Software (HCSS HeavyBid)
2008 - 2016
Completed HCSS HeavyBid University 101 & 201 from 2008 to 2016.
Local 130 Plumbers Apprentice Program
Plumbers Apprentice Program, Plumbing
2001 - 2005
Completed the Local 130 plumbers apprentice program in Chicago, IL from 2001 to 2005.
University of Iowa
Bachelor's Degree in Business Economics, Business Economics
1994 - 1999
Completed a bachelor's degree in business economics at the University of Iowa between 1994 and 1999.
Availability
Location
United StatesAuthorized to work in
Job categories
Skills
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