Senior Estimator - Multifamily Residential Construction

Senior Estimator – Multifamily Residential Construction

Position Summary

The Senior Estimator is a key member of the preconstruction team responsible for developing accurate, comprehensive, and strategic cost estimates for multifamily residential development projects. This individual provides expert estimating leadership throughout the entire project lifecycle, including conceptual budgeting, feasibility analysis, preconstruction planning, design development, bidding, and final construction pricing.

The Senior Estimator collaborates closely with Development, Construction, Architecture, Engineering, and Property Management teams to evaluate project costs, identify risks and opportunities, support value engineering initiatives, and ensure project budgets align with development objectives. This role also serves as a technical resource and mentor, helping to establish and maintain estimating standards, cost databases, and best practices across the organization.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Cost Estimating & Budget Development

• Prepare detailed conceptual, schematic, design development, and final construction estimates for multifamily residential projects.
• Review architectural, structural, civil, MEP, and landscape plans, specifications, and related project documentation to develop accurate project budgets.
• Perform comprehensive quantity takeoffs and pricing analyses for labor, materials, equipment, subcontractors, and general conditions for both ground-up and renovation projects.
• Evaluate evolving design documents and proactively identify budget impacts, cost risks, and scope changes throughout the project lifecycle.
• Develop and maintain cost models, unit pricing benchmarks, and historical cost databases to support consistent and reliable estimating efforts.

Preconstruction & Value Engineering

• Partner with internal stakeholders to support project feasibility studies, budgeting initiatives, and preconstruction planning activities.
• Lead value engineering efforts by identifying cost-saving opportunities while maintaining project quality, constructability, and performance objectives.
• Provide estimating input during design review meetings and offer recommendations to align project scope with budget requirements.
• Communicate cost implications, budget trends, and risk factors to project teams and leadership.

Subcontractor & Supplier Management

• Manage the solicitation, review, leveling, and analysis of subcontractor and supplier proposals.
• Ensure bid coverage is complete, competitive, and aligned with project scope requirements.
• Prepare bid comparison analyses, scope review matrices, and award recommendations.
• Identify and resolve scope gaps, pricing inconsistencies, and risk exposures prior to subcontractor selection and contract award.

Cost Control & Project Support

• Assist with change order review, estimate reconciliation, cost tracking, and budget updates throughout construction.
• Compare estimated costs against actual project expenditures and provide recommendations to improve estimating accuracy.
• Monitor labor trends, material pricing, market conditions, escalation factors, and subcontractor availability to support forecasting and risk assessment efforts.
• Participate in project planning and preconstruction meetings to provide financial and cost-management expertise.

Leadership & Process Improvement

• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior estimators and preconstruction team members.
• Support estimate reviews, quality control initiatives, and workload planning across multiple projects.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of estimating standards, procedures, and best practices.
• Promote continuous improvement through lessons learned, cost analysis, and process enhancements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related discipline preferred; equivalent experience will be considered.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive estimating experience in multifamily residential construction.
• Demonstrated expertise estimating large-scale ground-up multifamily residential developments.
• Strong knowledge of construction methods, building systems, trade scopes, sequencing, constructability, and project delivery processes.
• Thorough understanding of applicable building codes, ADA and Fair Housing requirements, and other regulatory standards affecting multifamily development.
• Advanced proficiency with Bluebeam Revu for digital takeoffs, plan review, and estimating workflows.
• Strong working knowledge of Excel, including the development of cost models, spreadsheets, databases, and historical benchmarking tools.
• Exceptional analytical, mathematical, and problem-solving abilities with the capacity to assess risk and make informed decisions with incomplete design information.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to effectively communicate technical and financial information to stakeholders at all levels.
• Proven ability to manage multiple estimates and deadlines in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Experience with conceptual estimating, value engineering, bid leveling, cost planning, and preconstruction management.
• Demonstrated leadership experience mentoring team members and driving consistency and quality across estimating functions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive experience with ground-up multifamily residential developments, including large-scale, mixed-use, or complex projects.
• Proven experience supporting projects from conceptual planning and predevelopment through bidding, construction, and project completion.
• Exposure to a variety of multifamily construction types, building systems, and delivery methods.
• Experience collaborating with developers, architects, engineers, general contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers throughout the project lifecycle.
• Familiarity with additional estimating, cost-control, and project management software platforms.

This position will come with an extensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, PTO and 401k.