Design-Build Estimator

Design-Build Estimator Compensation: $135,000 Location: New York, NY Position Overview Our client is seeking an experienced Design-Build Estimator to take ownership of the earliest and most critical stages of commercial restaurant construction projects. This position combines estimating, preliminary design, space planning, client interaction, and preconstruction into a single role. Unlike a traditional estimator who prices completed drawings, this individual becomes involved before an architect is hired and often before a client signs a lease . The Design-Build Estimator evaluates potential spaces, captures existing conditions, develops initial test-fit layouts, establishes project scope, and provides clients with realistic construction budgets early enough to determine whether a project is financially and operationally viable. The successful candidate will own each project's budget from the initial conceptual estimate through the final fixed-price contract , continuously refining costs as design information becomes available. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who has spent their career working across both construction estimating and design and wants ownership of the entire preconstruction process. Key ResponsibilitiesPreconstruction & Early-Stage Client Engagement Serve as one of the client's first points of contact during the preconstruction process. Meet with restaurant operators to understand their concept, project goals, existing information, equipment requirements, and target budget. Evaluate potential restaurant locations before leases are finalized. Review floor plans, equipment lists, existing conditions, and available mechanical, electrical, and plumbing information. Help clients understand whether their concept realistically fits the proposed space and construction budget. Deliver clear, defensible preliminary budgets that support early project and lease decisions. Site Assessment & Test-Fit Design Conduct onsite walkthroughs of prospective and active project locations. Utilize modern space-scanning and capture technology to document existing conditions and dimensions. Develop preliminary test-fit layouts showing how a restaurant concept can function within the proposed space. Incorporate key considerations such as: Seating Kitchen layouts Egress Hood locations and runs MEP requirements Equipment placement Existing building conditions Produce preliminary layouts that can effectively communicate the project's direction to clients, architects, subcontractors, and project teams. Estimating & Budget Development Own project budgets from the earliest conceptual estimate through the final fixed-price contract. Develop detailed, line-by-line construction budgets that are accurate, timely, and defensible. Price projects when complete construction documents are not yet available. Identify unknown conditions and incorporate clearly defined allowances rather than delaying the estimating process. Update budgets throughout each design milestone as additional information becomes available. Maintain documentation explaining changes between budget versions. Ensure clients understand exactly why project costs have increased, decreased, or changed. Deliver final contract budgets that can successfully hold through construction. Scope Development & Trade Coordination Develop detailed scopes of work in collaboration with subcontractors and internal project leadership. Lead subcontractors through project walkthroughs. Obtain and analyze subcontractor pricing. Work with suppliers to price finish materials and other project components. Ask detailed constructability questions during the estimating process to identify scope gaps before construction. Ensure every budget line includes a clear written description of the associated work. Landlord & Lease Budgets Develop landlord construction budgets for clients negotiating leases. Identify work that could reasonably be completed or funded by the landlord. Help clients understand potential landlord responsibilities and construction contributions. Provide accurate construction information that can strengthen the client's lease negotiations. Design Development Collaborate with senior leadership to develop design and mechanical narratives. Ensure clients, designers, subcontractors, and project teams have a consistent understanding of project scope. Incorporate kitchen drawings, filing plans, specifications, finish selections, and design changes into evolving budgets. Maintain continuity between preliminary concepts and final construction pricing. Client Presentations & Budget Reviews Conduct internal budget reviews before information is presented externally. Lead client-facing budget presentations and clearly explain project costs. Translate detailed construction information into language restaurant owners and operators can easily understand. Respond confidently to questions regarding pricing, scope, allowances, and constructability. Incorporate approved client changes into subsequent budget versions. Pricing Systems & Cost Database Build and continuously improve the company's internal pricing system. Develop and maintain: Unit costs Construction assemblies Trade rates Finish benchmarks Estimating templates Checklists Historical cost information Use completed project results to continuously improve future estimates. Direct internal takeoff resources to ensure accurate and well-documented estimating information. Develop systems that allow budgets to become faster and more accurate over time. Cost Reconciliation & Continuous Improvement Compare final project costs against original estimates. Review completed-project actuals with Project Managers and company leadership. Identify areas where estimates differed from actual construction costs. Determine the causes of estimating variances and incorporate lessons learned into future pricing. Maintain an increasingly accurate and comprehensive pricing database. Project Management Collaboration Partner with Project Managers as projects transition from preconstruction into design and construction. Conduct detailed budget handoffs. Ensure Project Managers understand and can independently explain and defend project budgets. Maintain continuity between estimating assumptions and field execution. Performance Expectations Deliver budgets within two weeks of receiving complete project information . Produce estimates that remain accurate through construction. Maintain clear written descriptions for every budget line. Ensure all client-facing budgets receive internal review before presentation. Continuously improve the accuracy and depth of the company's pricing database. Provide Project Managers with sufficient information to confidently manage and defend project budgets. Reconcile completed project costs against estimates and incorporate findings into future pricing. QualificationsRequired Experience Significant experience estimating and building commercial interior construction projects . Strong understanding of commercial construction pricing and constructability. Ability to develop conceptual budgets from incomplete design information. Experience developing detailed scopes of work. Experience soliciting, reviewing, and analyzing subcontractor pricing. Ability to manage multiple active budgets simultaneously. Strong understanding of construction materials, labor, trades, and sequencing. Comfortable working directly with clients, subcontractors, suppliers, architects, and Project Managers. Strongly Preferred New York City restaurant construction experience. Restaurant, hospitality, or food-service construction experience. Design-build construction experience. Commercial interior estimating experience. Experience performing early-stage feasibility and preconstruction analysis. Experience developing landlord or lease-negotiation budgets. Design & Technical Capabilities Ability to personally produce preliminary construction layouts and restaurant test fits. Understanding of restaurant seating, kitchen layouts, egress, hood systems, and MEP considerations. Experience with space-scanning technology. Experience with digital drawing and takeoff software. Strong construction estimating and structured pricing capabilities. Ability to interpret architectural and construction information. Ability to identify constructability issues before construction begins. MOHR Talent is an equal-opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local nondiscrimination laws. We provide equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military/veteran status, or any other protected status. If you believe you have been discriminated against or have concerns about our compliance, please contact our Human Resources department at View email address on click.appcast.io #J-18808-Ljbffr MOHR Talent