Location: Hackensack, NJ (with occasional travel to project sites in New York and Connecticut)
Employment Type: Full-Time
About The O’Neill Group, LLC:
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 pre-construction 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 contract 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: $120,000 to $150,000 + 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: [email protected]
Subject Line: Pre-Construction Estimator Application – Glen
