Residential Construction Estimator

DiStefano Brothers Companies • South Kingstown, RI

3d • $75,000 - $90,000

About The Position

DiStefano Brothers Construction is seeking a Residential Estimator to manage pricing from the initial Design Agreement through Pre-Construction and contract handoff, as well as architect-led hard bids. The role connects sales, design, and production by translating project scopes and plans into defensible investment ranges, detailed bottom-up estimates, and clean budgets for Project Managers.

The estimator conducts site assessments and quantity takeoffs, builds estimates by room and trade, coordinates subcontractor and supplier bids, clarifies project scopes, and develops value-engineering options. The role also owns competitive hard bids, supports small-job quotes when pre-construction volume is slow, hands off final estimates and budgets to Project Managers, and compares estimated costs with actual project costs to maintain accurate unit costs.

Requirements

• At least 3 years of experience producing formal, bottom-up project estimates for residential remodeling, custom design-build, or residential general contracting; candidates with a strong residential field background who transitioned into formal estimating are also considered.
• Ability to calculate labor hours by specific task and trade using historical production rates, rather than relying solely on material estimates or subcontractor quotes.
• Strong ability to read structural and architectural drawings and perform detailed quantity takeoffs using takeoff software and Excel.
• Intermediate to advanced Excel proficiency, including building formulas, spreadsheets, and cost models.
• Ability to translate project scopes into clear written budget inclusions, exclusions, allowances, and value-engineering options, and ensure subcontractor bids align with scope requirements.
• Deep practical understanding of residential construction sequencing across framing, mechanicals, and finishes.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation for site visits across Rhode Island and Southern New England.
• Ability to pass a standard background check.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with estimating software, Buildertrend, Google Workspace, or AI tools.
• OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification.
• Familiarity with Rhode Island or Massachusetts building codes.

Responsibilities

• Walk project sites with Sales, Design, and Project Managers; document existing conditions; and perform quantity takeoffs from plans, sketches, and field measurements.
• Develop early investment ranges and detailed construction estimates by room and trade, including labor hours, materials, subcontractors, permits, dumpsters, and general conditions, using the company’s markup model.
• Solicit, track, compare, and level subcontractor and supplier bids during pre-construction; maintain the supplier price book and ensure complete, comparable bid coverage before contract pricing is issued.
• Review initial project scopes with the integration team and define clear inclusions, exclusions, and allowances.
• Lead value-engineering options with Design and Project Managers, identify margin risks, and help keep projects on budget.
• Manage architect-led and competitive hard bids from plan set through submission.
• Assist the Property Services team with small-job quotes when pre-construction volume is slow.
• Hand off final estimates, budgets, cost groups, and risk reviews to Project Managers at contract signing.
• Compare estimated and actual costs on completed jobs to maintain unit-cost accuracy.

Benefits

• Annual salary of $75,000–$90,000, based on experience.
• Choice of one of three Blue Cross Blue Shield medical plans, with employer contribution up to $500 per month.
• Voluntary dental and vision coverage.
• 401(k) plan with company match.
• Company-sponsored life insurance.
• IRS-rate mileage reimbursement for site visits.
• AFLAC eligibility.
• Paid time off (PTO), safe and sick leave, and six paid holidays.
• Collaborative pre-construction environment, structured 120-day onboarding plan, Buildertrend training, and AI tool integration.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed