Senior Estimator

Company Description Walters Apartments is an award-winning developer and property management company that oversees premium affordable apartment communities across New Jersey. For over two decades, the organization has focused on delivering well-designed, high-quality income-restricted housing with a strong emphasis on service, value, and long-term community impact. Specializing in both family and senior affordable apartment communities, Walters Apartments offers best-in-class amenities and thoughtfully planned community features. The company’s seasoned leadership brings deep expertise in development, construction, and affordable housing, supporting a stable and growing presence throughout the Garden State. Team members join a mission-driven organization committed to enhancing quality of life for residents and communities.

Role Description The Senior Estimator is a full-time, on-site role based in Barnegat, NJ. This position is responsible for leading the preparation of accurate and comprehensive cost estimates for multifamily residential developments throughout the project lifecycle, from conceptual budgeting and preconstruction through final construction pricing. The Senior Estimator analyzes architectural, civil, structural, MEP, and landscape plans and specifications, performs detailed quantity takeoffs, and evaluates subcontractor and supplier proposals to develop comprehensive project estimates. This role collaborates closely with Development, Construction, Architecture, and Property Management teams to ensure estimates align with project budgets, requirements, timelines, and development objectives. Day-to-day responsibilities include managing bid solicitations and leveling, maintaining cost databases and historical benchmarks, monitoring labor and material pricing, identifying project cost risks, and leading value-engineering efforts. The Senior Estimator also supports project feasibility and preconstruction planning, reviews change-order pricing and budget updates, communicates cost implications and recommendations to internal stakeholders, and provides technical guidance to other estimating team members.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressively responsible estimating experience in multifamily residential construction, with demonstrated experience managing complex estimates.
• Extensive experience estimating ground-up multifamily residential construction projects is required.
• Strong expertise in conceptual estimating, detailed cost analysis, quantity takeoffs, budget development, bid preparation, bid leveling, value engineering, and preconstruction cost management.
• Advanced understanding of multifamily construction methods, building systems, construction drawings, specifications, trade scopes, sequencing, and constructability.
• Advanced proficiency in Bluebeam Revu for digital takeoffs, plan review, measurements, markups, and estimating workflows is required; experience with additional estimating software is a plus.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills with demonstrated experience developing and maintaining cost databases, budget models, unit-cost benchmarks, and historical project data.
• Strong knowledge of applicable building codes, ADA/Fair Housing accessibility requirements, energy-efficiency programs, and regulatory requirements affecting multifamily residential construction.
• Excellent mathematical, analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills, with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to evaluate cost risks and incomplete design information.
• Strong written and verbal communication, negotiation, presentation, and organizational skills, with the ability to clearly communicate cost information to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to independently manage multiple estimates, deadlines, and project priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead estimate reviews, provide guidance to less-experienced estimators, and contribute to consistent estimating standards and best practices.
• Experience coordinating with developers, architects, engineers, general contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers throughout the estimating and preconstruction process.
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Significant experience with large or complex multifamily residential developments and estimating projects from early conceptual/predevelopment stages through bidding, construction, and project completion is highly preferred.
• Commitment to ethical, inclusive, and non-discriminatory practices and alignment with Walters Apartments’ commitment to quality and community impact.

Employment Type: Full Time
Salary: $120,000 - $140,000 Annual
Bonus/Commission: No