Construction Estimator

Fairsteadescllc; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Fairstead, a purpose‑driven real estate firm, seeks a Construction Estimator in New York to lead the full estimating lifecycle from early budgeting through project closeout. You will drive procurement strategy, act as a cost expert to project teams, and help shape standard estimating practices across the department.

You will own detailed takeoffs, budgets, and value engineering opportunities for tenant-in-place renovations, LIHTC deals, and new construction, partnering with PMs, architects, and

Qualifications

• 8+ years of construction estimating experience.
• Strong pre-construction and procurement expertise.
• Ability to lead multi‑phase estimates from concept through contracts.

Responsibilities

• Lead detailed quantity takeoffs and cost estimates across all project phases.
• Develop conceptual and parametric budgets for Residential projects.
• Review drawings to identify gaps, risks, and value engineering opportunities.
• Serve as cost advisor to design teams during pre-construction.
• Lead design review meetings and provide cost guidance as designs evolve.
• Improve historical cost data, unit pricing, and benchmarking tools.
• Identify and mitigate project risks early in pre-construction.
• Oversee bid packages and vendor solicitations.
• Lead subcontract negotiations and procurement scheduling.
• Track post‑award cost data and market trends.

Skills

Estimating

Budgeting

Leadership

Tools

PlanSwift

Bluebeam

Procore

BuildingConnected

ProjectSight

Job description

Fairstead is a purpose-driven real estate firm dedicated to building affordable communities across the country. Headquartered in New York, with offices in Colorado, Florida, and Washington DC, Fairstead owns and manages a portfolio of more than 30,000 apartments, including pipeline, across 28 states. As an integrated owner, operator, and innovator, Fairstead brings development, construction, and property management under one unified platform to deliver high-quality affordable housing that serves our residents at scale.

At Fairstead, we believe affordable housing should be thoughtfully designed, professionally managed, and responsibly operated. We seek to create and preserve housing that serves residents while delivering long-term value to communities, partners, and stakeholders.

Fairstead challenges industry norms through our tech-forward, entrepreneurial approach to affordable housing. In addition to core real estate capabilities, we operate innovative service lines designed to improve resident outcomes, strengthen communities, and drive operational efficiency. We embrace digital transformation, data-driven decision-making, and emerging technologies, including AI, to build scalable systems that support sustainable growth, grounded in a culture of entrepreneurship, innovation, partnership, dedication, and integrity.

The Construction Estimator, with ample experience in tenant-in-place renovations and LIHTC deals, will lead the full estimating lifecycle — from early conceptual budgeting through project closeout — while driving procurement strategy and vendor management. In this role, you will serve as a subject matter expert and strategic partner to project managers, architects, consultants, and subcontractors, producing accurate and competitive cost models that guide investment decisions and keep projects on schedule and within budget. You will also help shape departmental best practices and estimating standards.

Responsibilities

• Estimating & Pre-Construction
  • Lead detailed quantity takeoffs and cost estimates across all project phases, including schematic design, design development, and construction documents.
  • Own the development and management of conceptual and parametric budgets for Residential projects, including comprehensive renovations, capital improvements, and new construction.
  • Critically review construction drawings, specifications, and scopes of work to identify gaps, clarifications, risks, and value engineering opportunities – and drive resolution.
  • Serve as the primary cost advisor to design teams during pre‑construction, ensuring constructability and alignment between project budgets and design objectives.
  • Lead design review meetings and provide authoritative cost guidance as project designs evolve.
  • Own and continuously improve historical cost databases, unit pricing, and benchmarking tools, setting standards for estimating accuracy across the team.
  • Identify, communicate, and mitigate project risks early in the pre‑construction process.
• Procurement
  • Develop and oversee bid packages, scope sheets, and RFP documents for subcontractor and supplier solicitations.
  • Lead the full bidding process — document distribution and outreach, subcontractor screening and vetting, pre‑bid meetings, proposal collection, bid leveling, and comparative analysis — with a focus on strategy and efficiency.
  • Evaluate, qualify, and manage relationships with subcontractors and vendors; maintain and expand the approved vendor database.
  • Lead subcontract negotiations, including pricing, scope alignment, and contract terms in coordination with project management and legal teams.
  • Direct project buyout activities and procurement tracking to ensure timely subcontract awards and material purchases.
  • Proactively identify long‑lead items and develop procurement schedules that protect project timelines.
• Leadership & Collaboration
  • Present and defend estimates, assumptions, cost analyses, and reconciliation summaries to internal stakeholders, ownership groups, and executive leadership.
  • Lead the development of owner budgets, project pro forma, and cost validation efforts.
  • Partner with project managers during the transition from pre‑construction to construction, ensuring estimate assumptions and intent are carried forward effectively.
  • Track post‑award cost data, estimate performance, and market trends to continuously improve future estimating accuracy.
  • Contribute to the development and standardization of estimating processes, templates, and tools across the team.

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience in construction estimating with deep expertise in pre‑construction and procurement activities.
• Demonstrated ability to independently lead complex, multi‑phase estimates from concept through contract development.
• Proficiency with construction estimating and project management software such as PlanSwift, Bluebeam, Procore, BuildingConnected, ProjectSight, or similar platforms.
• Comprehensive understanding of construction