Senior Estimator - Multifamily Wood-Frame

Job Description

Location: Hackensack, NJ (with occasional travel to project sites in New York and Connecticut)

Employment Type: Full-Time

Company: The O’Neill Group – Real Estate Development Company

About The O’Neill Group:

The O’Neill Group is a forward-thinking real estate development company focused on revitalizing communities through strategic planning, smart investment, and innovative construction. With a strong presence across New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut, our portfolio includes mixed-use developments, multifamily housing, and commercial retail. Our mission is to combine community-driven design with long-term economic impact.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Estimator to join our team. This role will play a vital part in shaping the early phases of our development pipeline through accurate cost forecasting, subcontractor coordination, and conceptual estimating. Ideal candidates will have a background in wood-frame multifamily buildings, interior renovations, and general contracting.

Position Summary:

The Senior Estimator will lead cost planning from concept to construction, producing accurate budgets, quantity take-offs, and bid packages. You’ll coordinate closely with internal teams, external consultants, and subcontractors to ensure financial precision and constructability during pre-development and preconstruction stages.

This position requires both conceptual and hard bid estimating experience, a strong understanding of residential and commercial construction, and familiarity with Northeast market conditions.

Key Responsibilities:

Prepare conceptual, schematic, design development, and final construction estimates.

Review and interpret architectural, civil, structural, and MEP drawings for cost implications.

Perform accurate quantity take-offs and develop cost breakdowns for labor, materials, and subcontractor scopes.

Coordinate and lead RFPs, bid walks, and bid submissions; prepare clear bid comparisons and subcontractor leveling.

Maintain and expand relationships with qualified subcontractors and vendors in NY, NJ, and CT.

Provide value engineering recommendations and advise on cost-saving alternatives.

Develop and manage project-specific historical cost data and internal benchmarks.

Participate in pre-bid conferences, site visits, and scope review meetings.

Assess general conditions, site logistics, phasing, and construction challenges during early-stage planning.

Track and update budgets throughout design changes and permit phases.

Collaborate with owners, design consultants, and construction teams to refine budgets and scopes.

Assist in smooth handoff from pre-construction to construction, including bid tabulation and contractor selection.

Required Qualifications:

Minimum 5 years of experience in estimating or pre-construction, preferably with a developer or general contractor.

Strong background in wood-frame multifamily construction.

Familiarity with MEP systems, construction materials, labor pricing, and regional subcontractor markets.

Proficiency with estimating tools like Bluebeam, PlanSwift, ProEst, or similar software.

Advanced Microsoft Excel skills; familiarity with Procore or project management platforms is a plus.

Ability to read and interpret construction documents with strong attention to detail.

Excellent communication, organizational, and negotiation skills.

Understanding of contract types (GMP, CM-at-Risk, Design-Build) and value engineering strategies.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience estimating multifamily, mixed-use, and commercial development projects.

Knowledge of building codes and permitting processes in CT, NY, and NJ.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Negotiable + Bonus + Benefits

Bonus: Performance-based annual bonus

Benefits Package Includes:

Health, Dental & Vision Insurance (Individual Only)

401(k)

Paid Time Off (PTO) and company holidays

Mileage and travel reimbursement

Ongoing professional development opportunities

How to Apply

Submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your experience to:

Subject Line: Pre-Construction Estimator Application – GlennCompany Description

The O'Neill Group is a leading real estate development firm known for its innovative approach to land use, zoning, and planning. We specialize in community-focused, sustainable developments with a strong commitment to preserving the historical and architectural integrity of unique structures. Our team offers a collaborative culture and exciting opportunities to work on transformative projects that make a lasting impact.

Full-time