> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/2347250-design-build-estimator](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/2347250-design-build-estimator). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Design-Build Estimator - **Company:** MOHR ENTERPRISES LLC - **Location:** New York, NY, United States - **Salary:** $135,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Databases, Construction Estimating Software - **Published:** August 7, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=9cd3f7063c038a1e ## About the Role * Significant experience estimating and building commercial interior construction projects. * Strong understanding of commercial construction pricing and constructability. * Ability to develop conceptual budgets from incomplete design information. * Experience developing detailed scopes of work. * Experience soliciting, reviewing, and analyzing subcontractor pricing. * Ability to manage multiple active budgets simultaneously. * Strong understanding of construction materials, labor, trades, and sequencing. * Comfortable working directly with clients, subcontractors, suppliers, architects, and Project Managers. Strongly Preferred * New York City restaurant construction experience. * Restaurant, hospitality, or food-service construction experience. * Design-build construction experience. * Commercial interior estimating experience. * Experience performing early-stage feasibility and preconstruction analysis. * Experience developing landlord or lease-negotiation budgets. Design & Technical Capabilities * Ability to personally produce preliminary construction layouts and restaurant test fits. * Understanding of restaurant seating, kitchen layouts, egress, hood systems, and MEP considerations. * Experience with space-scanning technology. * Experience with digital drawing and takeoff software. * Strong construction estimating and structured pricing capabilities. * Ability to interpret architectural and construction information. * Ability to identify constructability issues before construction begins. ## Description Our client is seeking an experienced Design-Build Estimator to take ownership of the earliest and most critical stages of commercial restaurant construction projects. This position combines estimating, preliminary design, space planning, client interaction, and preconstruction into a single role. Unlike a traditional estimator who prices completed drawings, this individual becomes involved before an architect is hired and often before a client signs a lease. The Design-Build Estimator evaluates potential spaces, captures existing conditions, develops initial test-fit layouts, establishes project scope, and provides clients with realistic construction budgets early enough to determine whether a project is financially and operationally viable. The successful candidate will own each project's budget from the initial conceptual estimate through the final fixed-price contract, continuously refining costs as design information becomes available., Preconstruction & Early-Stage Client Engagement * Serve as one of the client's first points of contact during the preconstruction process. * Meet with restaurant operators to understand their concept, project goals, existing information, equipment requirements, and target budget. * Evaluate potential restaurant locations before leases are finalized. * Review floor plans, equipment lists, existing conditions, and available mechanical, electrical, and plumbing information. * Help clients understand whether their concept realistically fits the proposed space and construction budget. * Deliver clear, defensible preliminary budgets that support early project and lease decisions., * Utilize modern space-scanning and capture technology to document existing conditions and dimensions. * Develop preliminary test-fit layouts showing how a restaurant concept can function within the proposed space. * Incorporate key considerations such as: + Seating + Kitchen layouts + Egress + Hood locations and runs + MEP requirements + Equipment placement + Existing building conditions * Produce preliminary layouts that can effectively communicate the project's direction to clients, architects, subcontractors, and project teams. Estimating & Budget Development * Own project budgets from the earliest conceptual estimate through the final fixed-price contract. * Develop detailed, line-by-line construction budgets that are accurate, timely, and defensible. * Price projects when complete construction documents are not yet available. * Identify unknown conditions and incorporate clearly defined allowances rather than delaying the estimating process. * Update budgets throughout each design milestone as additional information becomes available. * Maintain documentation explaining changes between budget versions. * Ensure clients understand exactly why project costs have increased, decreased, or changed. * Deliver final contract budgets that can successfully hold through construction. Scope Development & Trade Coordination * Develop detailed scopes of work in collaboration with subcontractors and internal project leadership. * Lead subcontractors through project walkthroughs. * Obtain and analyze subcontractor pricing. * Work with suppliers to price finish materials and other project components. * Ask detailed constructability questions during the estimating process to identify scope gaps before construction. * Ensure every budget line includes a clear written description of the associated work. Landlord & Lease Budgets * Develop landlord construction budgets for clients negotiating leases. * Identify work that could reasonably be completed or funded by the landlord. * Help clients understand potential landlord responsibilities and construction contributions. * Provide accurate construction information that can strengthen the client's lease negotiations., * Ensure clients, designers, subcontractors, and project teams have a consistent understanding of project scope. * Incorporate kitchen drawings, filing plans, specifications, finish selections, and design changes into evolving budgets. * Maintain continuity between preliminary concepts and final construction pricing. Client Presentations & Budget Reviews * Conduct internal budget reviews before information is presented externally. * Lead client-facing budget presentations and clearly explain project costs. * Translate detailed construction information into language restaurant owners and operators can easily understand. * Respond confidently to questions regarding pricing, scope, allowances, and constructability. * Incorporate approved client changes into subsequent budget versions. Pricing Systems & Cost Database * Build and continuously improve the company's internal pricing system. * Develop and maintain: + Unit costs + Construction assemblies + Trade rates + Finish benchmarks + Estimating templates + Checklists + Historical cost information * Use completed project results to continuously improve future estimates. * Direct internal takeoff resources to ensure accurate and well-documented estimating information. * Develop systems that allow budgets to become faster and more accurate over time. Cost Reconciliation & Continuous Improvement * Compare final project costs against original estimates. * Review completed-project actuals with Project Managers and company leadership. * Identify areas where estimates differed from actual construction costs. * Determine the causes of estimating variances and incorporate lessons learned into future pricing. * Maintain an increasingly accurate and comprehensive pricing database., * Partner with Project Managers as projects transition from preconstruction into design and construction. * Conduct detailed budget handoffs. * Ensure Project Managers understand and can independently explain and defend project budgets. * Maintain continuity between estimating assumptions and field execution. Performance Expectations * Deliver budgets within two weeks of receiving complete project information. * Produce estimates that remain accurate through construction. * Maintain clear written descriptions for every budget line. * Ensure all client-facing budgets receive internal review before presentation. * Continuously improve the accuracy and depth of the company's pricing database. * Provide Project Managers with sufficient information to confidently manage and defend project budgets. * Reconcile completed project costs against estimates and incorporate findings into future pricing. ## Related Videos - [Design as an algorithm, not as a feature](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/471-design-as-an-algorithm-not-as-a-feature) - [Comfortably Quantum with Qrisp](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1434-comfortably-quantum-with-qrisp) - [Kubernetes and Microservices with Multi-Model Databases](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/382-kubernetes-and-microservices-with-multi-model-databases) - [ShapeShift: Reinventing Agile for a B2B SaaS Scale-Up](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1655-shapeshift-reinventing-agile-for-a-b2b-saas-scale-up) - [Fault Tolerance and Consistency at Scale: Harnessing the Power of Distributed SQL Databases](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1146-fault-tolerance-and-consistency-at-scale-harnessing-the-power-of-distributed-sql-databases) - [Why Great Developers Stay Poor](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100102-why-great-developers-stay-poor) ## Related Articles - [The importance of a good briefing for every dev project](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/34-the-importance-of-a-good-briefing-for-every-dev-project) - [Why Event-Driven Architecture Isn’t About Speed (and When You Actually Need It)](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/745-why-event-driven-architecture-isn-t-about-speed-and-when-you-actually-need-it) - [8 No-Code App Builders](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/300-8-no-code-app-builders) - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [How to Ensure a Reasonable Salary Before an Interview](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/322-how-to-ensure-a-reasonable-salary-before-an-interview) - [Frontend Developer Salary in South Africa](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/234-frontend-developer-salary-in-south-africa)