Residential Construction Estimator

Job Description

Job Description

At  DiStefano Brothers Construction , we take pride in delivering exceptional high-end residential design-build projects across Rhode Island and Southern New England. We are seeking a dedicated Residential Estimator to own our pricing process from the initial Design Agreement (DA) through Pre-Construction (PC) to contract handoff, as well as architect-led hard bids.

In this role, you will bridge the gap between sales, design, and production - turning project scopes and plans into defensible Investment Ranges, bottom-up estimates, and clean budgets so our Project Managers can focus on building.

What We Offer

• Competitive Pay: $75,000 – $90,000 annual salary (based on experience)
• Health & Wellness: Choice of one of three Blue Cross Blue Shield medical plans (employer contribution up to $500/month), plus voluntary dental and vision coverage
• Retirement Security: 401(k) plan with company match
• Perks & Logistics: Company-sponsored life insurance, IRS rate mileage reimbursement for site visits, and AFLAC eligibility
• Time Off: Paid Time Off (PTO), safe and sick leave, and 6 paid holidays
• Professional Support: Collaborative pre-con environment, structured 120-day onboarding plan, Buildertrend training, and AI tool integration

Primary Responsibilities

• Site Takeoffs & Assessments: Walk sites with Sales, Design, and Project Managers; document existing conditions; perform quantity takeoffs (QTO) from plans, sketches, and field measurements.
• Bottom-Up Estimating: Develop early Investment Ranges and detailed construction estimates by room and trade—calculating labor hours, materials, sub-trades, permits, dumpsters, and general conditions while applying DBC’s markup model.
• Subcontractor & Supplier Bidding: Solicit, track, compare, and level trade bids during pre-construction; maintain the supplier price book to ensure complete, apples-to-apples coverage before contract numbers go out.
• Scope & Value Engineering: Scrub initial project scopes with our integration team; define clear inclusions, exclusions, and allowances; lead value-engineering options with Design and PMs to flag margin risks and keep projects on budget.
• Hard Bids & Secondary Support: Own architect-led and competitive hard bids from plan set to submitted number. Assist the Property Services team with small job quotes when pre-construction volume is slow.
• Production Handoff & Comp Database: Pass final clean estimates, budgets, cost groups, and risk reviews to PMs at contract signing; compare estimated vs. actual costs on completed jobs to maintain unit cost accuracy.

What We’re Looking For

• Residential Estimating Experience: 3+ years of experience producing formal, bottom-up project estimates for residential remodeling, custom design-build, or residential general contracting. (Open to candidates with a strong residential field background who have transitioned into formal estimating).
• Labor-Hour & Task-Based Pricing: Proven ability to calculate labor hours by specific task and trade using historical production rates, rather than relying solely on material estimates or sub quotes.
• Blueprint & Quantity Takeoff Proficiency: Strong ability to read structural and architectural drawings and perform detailed quantity takeoffs (QTO) using takeoff software and Excel.
• Tech & Spreadsheet Skills: Intermediate to advanced Excel proficiency required (building formulas, spreadsheets, and cost models). Familiarity with estimating software, Buildertrend, Google Workspace, or AI tools is a plus.
• Scope & Contract Writing: Ability to translate project scopes into clear written budget inclusions, exclusions, allowances, and value-engineering options ensuring subcontractor bids align with scope requirements.
• Building Sequence Knowledge: Deep practical understanding of residential construction sequencing across framing, mechanicals, and finishes.
• Requirements: Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation for site visits across Rhode Island and Southern New England, and ability to pass a standard background check. Candidates must currently reside within daily commuting distance. Relocation assistance is not provided for this position. (OSHA 10/30 and RI/MA code familiarity preferred). 

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your application and provide  one sample estimate with labor hours broken out (any format, client names removed), along with a brief summary of a project you estimated that you are proud of in the cover letter portion of your application. 

DiStefano Brothers Construction is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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