About Us
Design Alternatives is a premier Design-Build firm specializing in interior renovations for commercial properties, including homeowner communities, senior care facilities, and hospitality venues. We offer a turnkey solution, integrating interior design, construction, and procurement to streamline projects for our clients. Over 35 years, we have completed over 5 million square feet, 400 projects and earned a 75% repeat customer rate.
Service Area: New Jersey
About the Role
The Estimator + Project Manager owns the estimating process and steers the customer journey between sales and delivery. They translates early promises into ongoing value, orchestrates hand-offs across Design, Procurement, and Construction, and measures project health. The role blends estimator discipline with light-touch project management. Success is defined by accurate cost plans, smooth phase gates, and aligned client expectations.
Representative success metrics: estimate accuracy vs. actual cost, stage‑gate on‑time rate, preventable escalations/change orders, and overall client satisfaction.
Core Responsibilities
- Cost Planning & Estimating: Evaluate plans and client requirements; perform quantity take‑offs; develop and update cost estimates pre‑ and post‑design; apply historical data, unit pricing, and benchmarks; run value‑engineering scenarios.
- Final Budget & Timeline Coordination: Gather final pricing with Design/Procurement/Construction; normalize vendor proposals for apples‑to‑apples comparisons; define overall project timelines across phases.
- Stage‑Gate Orchestration: Own the traffic‑lights between Design → Buy → Build; prepare and run cross‑functional stage‑gate reviews.
- Project Success & Health Checks: Track expectations; maintain a project health score (budget variance, schedule drift, satisfaction pulse); surface risks early and escalate internally before client impact.
- Project Close‑out: Execute close‑out, lead internal post‑mortems, and manage handover.
- Data Feedback Loop: Convert lessons learned to updates for The DA Way; feed job costs back into the cost library.
Hours & Location
- Full Time
- 1-2 days per week in office
- Remaining time visiting clients/vendors or working remotely
Ideal Candidate Profile
Background & Credentials
- 2-5 years of direct experience
- Demonstrated experience building cost plans from drawings and site information, including quantity take‑offs.
- Experience coordinating across design, procurement, subs, and construction to align scope, price, and schedule.
- Client‑facing experience leveling bids and discussing options with stakeholders.
- Valid driver’s license & car
Required Skills & Qualifications
- Fluency with take‑off and markup tools like BlueBeam.
- Proficiency with Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel for estimating and bid tabs; proficiency with Google Slides or PowerPoint for client communication.
- Comfortable driving cross‑functional reviews
- Make sound calls quickly with incomplete information.
- Plan the work and hit dates; keep others on schedule.
- Keep clients, designers, and subs aligned; close gaps fast.
- Strong written and verbal communication in a client service environment.
- Communicate clearly, simply, and frequently.
- Good listener and can adjust to the client’s style.
- Spot risks early; flag them with options and tradeoffs.
- Solve problems with what you have; unblock yourself.
- Learn new tools and methods quickly.
- Ask for feedback and improve every project.
Preferred Qualifications
- Professional credentials such as ASPE CPE or AACE CEP.
- Prior experience in design‑build interiors, estimating, or interiors procurement.
- Evidence of building or maintaining cost libraries and vendor benchmarks.
Why Join Us?
- Thriving Market: We serve a high-demand market with a strong project pipeline
- Growth Opportunities: Our strong project pipeline creates clear career opportunities
- Supportive Team: Work alongside experienced designers, project managers, and industry experts
- Established Reputation: Over 35 years of trusted performance with a 75% repeat client rate
Compensation
The base pay range for this role is $83,000 – $115,000 per year.