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 unde…