Construction Estimator

Job Description

Job Description

Fairstead is a purpose-driven real estate firm dedicated to building affordable communities across the country. Headquartered in New York, with offices in Colorado, Florida, and Washington DC, Fairstead owns and manages a portfolio of more than 30,000 apartments, including pipeline, across 28 states. As an integrated owner, operator, and innovator, Fairstead brings development, construction, and property management under one unified platform to deliver high-quality affordable housing that serves our residents at scale.

At Fairstead, we believe affordable housing should be thoughtfully designed, professionally managed, and responsibly operated. We seek to create and preserve housing that serves residents while delivering long-term value to communities, partners, and stakeholders.

Fairstead challenges industry norms through our tech-forward, entrepreneurial approach to affordable housing. In addition to core real estate capabilities, we operate innovative service lines designed to improve resident outcomes, strengthen communities, and drive operational efficiency. We embrace digital transformation, data-driven decision-making, and emerging technologies, including AI, to build scalable systems that support sustainable growth, grounded in a culture of entrepreneurship, innovation, partnership, dedication, and integrity.

The Construction Estimator, with ample experience in tenant-in-place renovations and LIHTC deals, will lead the full estimating lifecycle — from early conceptual budgeting through project closeout — while driving procurement strategy and vendor management. In this role, you will serve as a subject matter expert and strategic partner to project managers, architects, consultants, and subcontractors, producing accurate and competitive cost models that guide investment decisions and keep projects on schedule and within budget. You will also help shape departmental best practices and estimating standards.

Responsibilities:

Estimating & Pre-Construction

• Lead detailed quantity takeoffs and cost estimates across all project phases, including schematic design, design development, construction documents.
• Own the development and management of conceptual and parametric budgets for Residential projects, including comprehensive renovations, capital improvements, and new construction.
• Critically review construction drawings, specifications, and scopes of work to identify gaps, clarifications, risks, and value engineering opportunities — and drive resolution.
• Serve as the primary cost advisor to design teams during pre-construction, ensuring constructability and alignment between project budgets and design objectives.
• Lead design review meetings and provide authoritative cost guidance as project designs evolve.
• Own and continuously improve historical cost databases, unit pricing, and benchmarking tools, setting standards for estimating accuracy across the team.
• Identify, communicate, and mitigate project risks early in the pre-construction process.

Procurement

• Develop and oversee bid packages, scope sheets, and RFP documents for subcontractor and supplier solicitations.
• Lead the full bidding process — document distribution and outreaching, subcontractor screening and vetting, pre-bid meetings, proposal collection, bid leveling, and comparative analysis — with a focus on strategy and efficiency.
• Evaluate, qualify, and manage relationships with subcontractors and vendors; maintain and expand the approved vendor database.
• Lead subcontract negotiations, including pricing, scope alignment, and contract terms in coordination with project management and legal teams.
• Direct project buyout activities and procurement tracking to ensure timely subcontract awards and material purchases.
• Proactively identify long-lead items and develop procurement schedules that protect project timelines.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Present and defend estimates, assumptions, cost analyses, and reconciliation summaries to internal stakeholders, ownership groups, and executive leadership.
• Lead the development of owner budgets, project pro formas, and cost validation efforts.
• Partner with project managers during the transition from pre-construction to construction, ensuring estimate assumptions and intent are carried forward effectively.
• Track post-award cost data, estimate performance, and market trends to continuously improve future estimating accuracy.
• Contribute to the development and standardization of estimating processes, templates, and tools across the team.

Requirements:

• 8+ years of experience in construction estimating with deep expertise in pre-construction and procurement activities.
• Demonstrated ability to independently lead complex, multi-phase estimates from concept through contract development
• Proficiency with construction estimating and project management software such as PlanSwift, Bluebeam, Procore, BuildingConnected, ProjectSight, or similar platforms.
• Comprehensive understanding of construction methods, materials, and sequencing across multiple trade disciplines, including concrete, MEP, finishes, and sitework.
• Expert ability to read and interpret architectural, structural, civil, and MEP drawings and specifications.
• Strong analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Polished written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present and defend analyses to executive stakeholders.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Project, and the broader Microsoft Office Suite, as well as AI-enabled estimating and productivity tools.
• Ability to travel up to 10–25% for project site visits, vendor meetings, and subcontractor coordination.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, or a related field.
• Significant experience with multifamily residential, affordable housing, mixed-use, or commercial development projects.
• 5+ years of experience in material procurement, direct vendor negotiation, and subcontract management.
• Experienced with HUD, LIHTC, and other publicly funded project requirements and cost constraints.
• LEED accreditation or strong knowledge of sustainable design and construction practices.
• Prior experience in owner-side or developer-side pre-construction, in addition to general contractor estimating.
• Experience managing or mentoring estimating teams or junior staff.

Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.

Salary Range

$125,000—$160,000 USD

Diversity in backgrounds and experiences is key to Fairstead's success. Being an equal opportunity employer is a central tenet of our philosophy that shapes who we are and the communities we serve. Our goal is to ensure competitive total compensation that is commensurate with experience, location, and other market benchmarks. 

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