Construction Estimator, Retail, Restaurant & Commercial Buildouts

Location: Garden City, NY

Job Type: Full-time, in-person

Industry: Commercial General Contracting, Retail & Restaurant Construction

Pay: $100,000 - $150,000 base salary, commensurate with experience

A national general contractor specializing in high-performance commercial construction is hiring a Construction Estimator to price retail, restaurant, and commercial buildout projects across the NYC tri-state area. You'll turn drawings, specs, and scope documents into accurate, competitive bids, working closely with project managers, superintendents, and subcontractors from bid through award. This is an office-based, detail-driven seat for someone who knows fast-paced retail and hospitality construction inside and out.

Responsibilities

• Review bid documents, drawings, and specifications for retail, restaurant, and commercial buildout projects
• Perform takeoffs and quantity surveys across all trades involved in a typical buildout, including framing, drywall, millwork, finishes, and MEP coordination
• Develop accurate cost estimates covering labor, materials, subcontractor scopes, and overhead
• Prepare professional, competitive proposals and bid packages
• Solicit, compare, and level subcontractor and vendor quotes
• Manage the bid pipeline from invitation through award
• Partner with project managers and superintendents to hand off awarded work smoothly
• Track bid hit rates and post-job cost performance to refine future estimates
• Conduct site walks and attend pre-bid meetings as needed
• Support value engineering and scope clarification during the bid process

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of estimating experience with a commercial general contractor, ideally in retail, restaurant, or commercial interior buildout work (no single-family residential)
• Strong takeoff and quantity survey skills across multiple trades
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings and specifications
• Proficiency with estimating software and MS Office; Procore or Bluebeam experience a plus
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Comfortable managing multiple bids and deadlines at once

Preferred

• Experience estimating multi-site retail or restaurant rollout programs for national brands
• Familiarity with occupied-space remodels or phased construction
• Degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field

Compensation and Benefits

• $100,000 - $150,000 base salary, commensurate with experience
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid time off
• Long-term career growth with a stable, high-volume national GC

This is a confidential search conducted on behalf of the hiring company. The company name is shared directly with candidates who advance in the process.

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