Senior Construction Estimator

Job Description

Job Description

Position Overview

The Senior Estimator is responsible for leading the preconstruction and estimating efforts for ground-up multifamily, affordable housing, mixed-use, and residential construction projects. This role develops accurate budgets, manages bid processes, evaluates project risks, and supports the successful transition of projects from preconstruction into construction operations.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience estimating multifamily construction projects and possesses a strong understanding of budgeting, subcontractor procurement, value engineering, cost management, and construction methodologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead estimating and preconstruction efforts for multifamily, affordable housing, mixed-use, and residential developments.
• Prepare conceptual budgets, schematic estimates, design development estimates, and final bid proposals.
• Review plans, specifications, reports, and bid documents to develop comprehensive project estimates.
• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs and pricing analysis across all construction trades.
• Solicit, evaluate, and level subcontractor and vendor proposals to ensure complete scope coverage.
• Develop bid summaries, cost analyses, and budget presentations for project stakeholders.
• Identify scope gaps, constructability concerns, and project risks during the estimating process.
• Participate in value engineering efforts and provide cost-saving recommendations.
• Collaborate with Project Managers, Superintendents, architects, consultants, and ownership teams during preconstruction.
• Assist with procurement planning, scheduling input, logistics planning, and constructability reviews.
• Maintain historical cost databases, subcontractor relationships, and market pricing information.
• Support project handoff meetings and ensure a seamless transition from estimating to operations.
• Mentor and assist in the development of Junior Estimators and preconstruction staff.

Qualifications

• 7–15+ years of experience in construction estimating or preconstruction.
• Strong experience estimating ground-up multifamily projects required.
• Experience with affordable housing, mixed-use, podium, wrap, wood-frame, and residential developments preferred.
• Proven ability to manage estimates from conceptual budgeting through final GMP or hard-bid submission.
• Strong understanding of construction methods, materials, scheduling, and sequencing.
• Ability to read and interpret architectural, structural, civil, and MEP drawings and specifications.
• Experience with subcontractor procurement, bid leveling, and scope analysis.
• Strong analytical, organizational, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple estimates and deadlines simultaneously.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field preferred.
• Experience with affordable housing, tax-credit housing, or public-private partnership projects is a plus.
• Proficiency with estimating and project management software such as Bluebeam, Procore, BuildingConnected, PlanSwift, Sage Estimating, OST, or similar platforms.
• Experience with negotiated work, design-build projects, and collaborative preconstruction delivery methods.