Great Experience - Anonymous employee USS California Builders Employee Review

Great work environment. Very friendly atmosphere

Going pains can be felt at times

Salary was pretty close to what I wanted. It came attached to a 3-month probationary period before an increase & benefits would kick in. Benefits and 401k aren't all that better than what the rest of the industry is providing. Hours are good. 8A-5P was a typical day for everyone.

This is in regards to the main office. The field may run a little different, but with management like this, I doubt it can be that much better. Pros are offset by a dismal management team. Not sure why or how they are still in business. Estimates are all based on unit prices. No takeoffs, research or due diligence is performed. The competitors love that because USS Cal generally comes in high during bid time. Take note, IF USS Cal is ever awarded a public works project, it would not be difficult at all to protest their bid. Management does not have long term goals for the company. No plan of action, no strategy. This is why contractors like USS Cal, never have more that $5M worth of work per year, which may sound like a lot, but it's not. The estimating department takes every day as it comes. A typical week will consist of 2 or 3 estimators bidding about 2 projects each. Since management wants to bid every single project that comes out, there is no room to learn. It's all about production. How many bids can you put out per week? If you are a young engineer/estimator, go to a big company like Kiewit, Walsh, Turner, Morley, etc. While you may have to work more hours at these places, it is definitely worth the experience. Avoid USS Cal and other contractors like them.