Estimator / Buyout Manager - Multifamily Construction

Burnett Specialists Staffing | Recruiting; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Burnett Specialists Staffing | Recruiting seeks an experienced Estimator / Buyout Manager for multifamily construction. You will lead estimating, buyout, and bid negotiations from preconstruction through turnover.

You will review drawings and specifications, prepare budgets and takeoffs, solicit bids, and develop comprehensive bid packages. Strong knowledge of multifamily costs, trade markets, and VE opportunities is essential.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of construction estimating, preconstruction, procurement, or buyout experience.
• Multifamily construction experience strongly preferred/required, depending on project needs.
• Strong knowledge of construction drawings, specifications, scopes, and trade packages.
• Proven experience managing subcontractor bidding, bid leveling, negotiations, and project buyout.
• Strong understanding of multifamily construction costs, materials, subcontractor markets, and project sequencing.
• Ability to identify scope gaps and understand the financial impact of purchasing and subcontract decisions.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Experience with construction estimating/project management software and strong Excel skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and bid packages simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Manage estimating and buyout activities for multifamily projects.
• Review drawings, specifications, scopes of work, and project requirements to develop accurate estimates.
• Prepare conceptual estimates, detailed budgets, quantity takeoffs, and cost analyses.
• Solicit and evaluate bids from subcontractors, vendors, and suppliers.
• Develop bid packages and ensure complete coverage across all trades.
• Perform detailed bid leveling and scope comparisons to identify gaps, exclusions, and potential cost exposure.
• Negotiate subcontractor and supplier pricing, terms, scope, and value-engineering opportunities.
• Lead project buyout, ensuring contracts are awarded within established budgets and timelines.
• Maintain strong relationships with subcontractors and continually develop the company's subcontractor/vendor network.
• Partner with Preconstruction, Project Management, Development, and Operations throughout the estimating and buyout process.
• Identify cost-saving and value-engineering opportunities without compromising quality or project requirements.
• Track current construction costs, labor rates, material pricing, and market conditions.
• Assist with change-order pricing and cost analysis as needed.
• Maintain accurate estimating, bid, and buyout documentation.

Skills

Estimating

Preconstruction

Negotiation

Budgeting

Communication

Multifamily construction

Tools

Excel

Estimating software

Job description

Estimator / Buyout Manager - Multifamily Construction

We are seeking an experienced Estimator / Buyout Manager with a strong background in multifamily construction. This role will manage estimating, subcontractor bidding, scope review, negotiations, and project buyout from preconstruction through turnover to the project team. The ideal candidate understands multifamily construction costs, subcontractor markets, and how to effectively buy out projects while protecting budget, schedule, and scope.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage estimating and buyout activities for multifamily construction projects.
• Review drawings, specifications, scopes of work, and project requirements to develop accurate estimates.
• Prepare conceptual estimates, detailed budgets, quantity takeoffs, and cost analyses.
• Solicit and evaluate bids from subcontractors, vendors, and suppliers.
• Develop bid packages and ensure complete coverage across all trades.
• Perform detailed bid leveling and scope comparisons to identify gaps, exclusions, and potential cost exposure.
• Negotiate subcontractor and supplier pricing, terms, scope, and value-engineering opportunities.
• Lead project buyout, ensuring contracts are awarded within established budgets and timelines.
• Maintain strong relationships with subcontractors and continually develop the company's subcontractor/vendor network.
• Partner with Preconstruction, Project Management, Development, and Operations throughout the estimating and buyout process.
• Identify cost-saving and value-engineering opportunities without compromising quality or project requirements.
• Track current construction costs, labor rates, material pricing, and market conditions.
• Assist with change-order pricing and cost analysis as needed.
• Maintain accurate estimating, bid, and buyout documentation.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of construction estimating, preconstruction, procurement, or buyout experience.
• Multifamily construction experience strongly preferred/required, depending on project needs.
• Strong knowledge of construction drawings, specifications, scopes, and trade packages.
• Proven experience managing subcontractor bidding, bid leveling, negotiations, and project buyout.
• Strong understanding of multifamily construction costs, materials, subcontractor markets, and project sequencing.
• Ability to identify scope gaps and understand the financial impact of purchasing and subcontract decisions.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Experience with construction estimating/project management software and strong Excel skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and bid packages simultaneously.

The ideal candidate has worked for a multifamily general contractor, developer/builder, or construction management company and has personally taken projects through estimating, subcontractor bidding, negotiations, and final buyout. Experience with mid-rise, or high-rise multifamily projects.

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