Justin Sornsin, Preconstruction Manager & Senior Estimator

Justin joined the “Friede Force” in 2021 as an estimator after pitstops spent in local government, management, engineering, and finance. He was promoted to Preconstruction Manager & Senior Estimator in 2023. In his current role, he’s “the man behind the man", making all the numbers work for a project before it begins. He likes to say that he’s been “combining Cadillac dreams and Kia budgets since 2015." Justin enjoys the culture at Friede, which includes a great work/life balance, as well as the chance to work on interesting projects that embody the "We Do Weird Well" spirit.

Growing up in Rockford, Illinois as the son of a general superintendent prepared him for a career in construction. What he finds most challenging about his role is balancing the needs and wants of clients, especially in the last few years of highly escalating project costs and market volatility. Throw in the curveball of architects with a high degree of design flare and it creates an interesting dynamic for an estimator to bring projects to fruition to meet owner cost expectations.

Outside the office, Justin spends time kayaking and fishing with his two sons, Griffin and Silas. He also spent six years as a "professional" whitewater raft guide and safety kayaker in his 20s. Now he’s “just a middle-aged bald guy with a lot of crazy stories and too many boats.”