Estimator - Retail Construction

Imperium Construction Services; New York (NY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Imperium Construction Services in New York City is seeking an experienced estimator who understands how projects are actually built. You will lead estimating, preconstruction, and stay involved through buyout, setup, and change-order pricing.

This role requires you to challenge incomplete information, define subcontractor scope, identify risk, and ensure a clean transition from estimate to execution. On larger projects, you may manage smaller work directly.

Qualifications

• Five or more years of estimating & preconstruction experience with a general contractor.
• Experience pricing commercial interiors, retail, fitness, wellness, or hospitality projects.
• Strong understanding of architectural and MEP trade scopes.
• Ability to read drawings critically and identify scope that others may miss.
• Experience soliciting subcontractors, leveling proposals, and managing buyout.
• Working knowledge of New York City construction, building logistics, and accelerated schedules.
• Strong Excel skills and experience with Procore and takeoff software.
• Clear written communication and strong follow through.
• Willingness to remain accountable after the estimate becomes a live project.

Responsibilities

• Review drawings, specifications, landlord requirements, and existing conditions.
• Perform takeoffs and prepare detailed estimates for commercial interior projects.
• Develop trade scopes and identify missing information, coordination issues, and cost risks.
• Solicit subcontractor proposals and ensure proper trade coverage.
• Level bids and review exclusions, qualifications, allowances, and scope gaps.
• Prepare prebid RFIs, value engineering options, bid clarifications, and final proposals.
• Develop accurate general conditions, logistics, supervision, and project specific cost assumptions.
• Lead internal estimate reviews and project turnover meetings.
• Support subcontractor negotiations, buyout, procurement, and project setup.
• Prepare and review change order pricing.
• Assist Project Managers with budgets, cost forecasting, scheduling, and financial risk.
• Visit project sites to verify conditions and compare estimated costs against actual performance.
• Manage selected smaller projects from award through closeout when required.

Skills

Estimating & preconstruction

Reading drawings

Excel

Procore

Takeoff software

Communication

Accountability

NYC construction knowledge

Tools

Procore

Takeoff software

Job description

Imperium Construction Services is a New York City general contractor and construction management firm specializing in high end commercial interiors, retail, boutique fitness, wellness, and hospitality.

We work on detailed projects with demanding clients, aggressive schedules, and complicated site conditions. Our approach is simple: understand the project thoroughly, identify problems early, and protect the client’s budget and schedule from bid through completion.

THE ROLE

Imperium is looking for an experienced estimator who understands how projects are actually built.

This person will lead estimating and preconstruction while remaining involved through buyout, project setup, change order pricing, and construction. Depending on experience and workload, this person may also manage smaller projects directly.

This is not a takeoff only position. You will be expected to understand the drawings, challenge incomplete information, define subcontractor scope, identify risk, and create a clean transition from estimate to execution.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Review drawings, specifications, landlord requirements, and existing conditions.
• Perform takeoffs and prepare detailed estimates for commercial interior projects.
• Develop trade scopes and identify missing information, coordination issues, and cost risks.
• Solicit subcontractor proposals and ensure proper trade coverage.
• Level bids and review exclusions, qualifications, allowances, and scope gaps.
• Prepare prebid RFIs, value engineering options, bid clarifications, and final proposals.
• Develop accurate general conditions, logistics, supervision, and project specific cost assumptions.
• Lead internal estimate reviews and project turnover meetings.
• Support subcontractor negotiations, buyout, procurement, and project setup.
• Prepare and review change order pricing.
• Assist Project Managers with budgets, cost forecasting, scheduling, and financial risk.
• Visit project sites to verify conditions and compare estimated costs against actual performance.
• Manage selected smaller projects from award through closeout when required.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Five or more years of estimating & preconstruction experience with a general contractor.
• Experience pricing commercial interiors, retail, fitness, wellness, or hospitality projects.
• Strong understanding of architectural and MEP trade scopes.
• Ability to read drawings critically and identify scope that others may miss.
• Experience soliciting subcontractors, leveling proposals, and managing buyout.
• Working knowledge of New York City construction, building logistics, and accelerated schedules.
• Strong Excel skills and experience with Procore and takeoff software.
• Clear written communication and strong follow through.
• Willingness to remain accountable after the estimate becomes a live project.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

• Estimates are accurate, organized, and submitted on time.
• Scope gaps and major risks are identified before award.
• Trade coverage is complete and properly leveled.
• Project teams understand exactly what was carried, excluded, and assumed.
• Buyout protects or improves the estimated margin.
• Change order pricing is timely and properly supported.
• Lessons from active projects are carried back into future estimates.

COMPENSATION

Imperium offers a competitive base salary based on experience, performance based bonus, health insurance contribution, retirement plan with employer contribution & paid time off.

This is an opportunity for an experienced construction professional to take ownership of projects before they reach the field and remain involved in making sure they are successfully delivered.