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.

Estimator + Project Manager

Job Type

Description