Estimating & Preconstruction Manager

Estimating & Preconstruction Manager (Residential Construction)

Hudson Design and Build is hiring a Estimating & Preconstruction Manager to lead estimating and preconstruction for custom homes, timber frames, mountain retreats, and high-end residential renovations throughout Central Vermont.

This role sits between Design and Project Management. You will work closely with ownership and our Designer as projects develop, then translate drawings, site conditions, selections, and project requirements into accurate estimates, clear scopes, current trade pricing, and construction-ready handoffs.

This is not the primary sales role. Patrick Hudson, owner, leads the client relationship and sales process, with our Designer involved early through design and project development. Your responsibility is to bring construction knowledge, cost clarity, constructability, and estimating discipline into that process.

This is a hands-on management position and a member of Hudson Design and Build's management team.

What This Role Is

• Full-time, year-round management position
• Primarily office-based in Killington with regular site visits
• Ownership of estimating and preconstruction
• Close collaboration with ownership, Design, Project Management, and Finance
• Significant responsibility for project readiness, scope clarity, estimating accuracy, and margin protection
• A key role in helping projects move cleanly from design into construction

What You Will Do

Estimating & Project Development

• Develop conceptual budgets and detailed construction estimates
• Review drawings, engineering, specifications, selections, and site conditions
• Perform quantity takeoffs for labor, materials, and subcontracted work
• Obtain current pricing directly from suppliers and subcontractors
• Build and maintain estimates in Buildertrend
• Identify allowances, exclusions, assumptions, incomplete information, and cost risks
• Provide cost and constructability feedback as designs develop

Preconstruction & Trade Coordination

• Walk projects with ownership and Design
• Gather the information required to accurately price each project
• Identify missing decisions, scope gaps, and constructability concerns early
• Develop clear written scopes and bid packages
• Solicit and compare subcontractor and supplier pricing
• Identify appropriate trade partners for each project
• Identify long-lead materials and early procurement requirements
• Build strong relationships with Hudson's subcontractor and supplier network

Hudson relies on current supplier and subcontractor pricing for significant project costs rather than an internal historical pricing database.

Construction Handoff

Prepare each project for a clean transition into Project Management, including:

• Final estimate and budget
• Current supplier and subcontractor pricing
• Defined scopes of work
• Recommended trade partners
• Allowances, exclusions, and assumptions
• Long-lead and procurement requirements
• Outstanding design decisions
• Known cost or construction risks

The goal is for Project Management to receive a project that is ready to execute, not one that needs to be re-estimated.

What This Role Looks Like When It's Working

• Estimates are complete, accurate, and delivered on time
• Design stays connected to budget
• Missing information and risks are identified early
• Bid packages produce clear, comparable pricing
• Major project costs are supported by current market quotes
• Sales has reliable cost information for client and contract discussions
• Designer receives timely cost and constructability feedback during design
• Project Management receives complete, organized project handoffs
• Project Management can focus on schedule, procurement, and execution
• Ownership is no longer required to personally develop every estimate

What You Bring

• 5 years of residential construction experience across estimating, project management, preconstruction, carpentry, field leadership, or related roles
• Demonstrated residential estimating experience
• Strong understanding of how homes are actually built
• Ability to read architectural, structural, and engineering plans
• Experience developing scopes and obtaining subcontractor and supplier pricing
• Strong numerical judgment and attention to detail
• Ability to identify missing information and ask the right questions
• Strong organization, communication, and follow-through
• Comfort working directly with ownership, designers, trades, suppliers, and field teams
• Buildertrend or similar construction software experience preferred

Custom residential, design-build, timber frame, or high-end renovation experience is strongly preferred.

Who Succeeds Here

• You are technical and detail-oriented
• You understand construction beyond spreadsheets and takeoffs
• You prefer accuracy and clarity over guessing
• You identify problems before they reach the field
• You communicate directly and close loops
• You enjoy working with designers, builders, suppliers, and trades
• You want meaningful responsibility in a growing construction company

Compensation & Benefits

• $95,000 to $120,000 annual salary, based on experience and capability
• Quarterly profit sharing
• Health insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont with 85% employer contribution
• Dental insurance with 85% employer contribution
• 401(k) with company match and immediate vesting of employer contributions
• Paid time off
• 7 paid holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Paid bereavement leave
• Family and medical leave in accordance with company policy and applicable law
• $500 monthly vehicle stipend
• $50 monthly cell phone reimbursement
• Formal biannual performance and compensation reviews
• Professional development and opportunity for increasing leadership responsibility

Location

This is an in-person position based in Killington, Vermont, with regular travel to project sites, subcontractors, suppliers, and client meetings throughout the region.

Apply

If you understand how high-quality residential projects get built and enjoy turning developing designs into accurate, well-scoped, construction-ready projects, apply today.

Pay: $95,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) 3% Match
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave

Application Question(s):

• Describe your experience with estimating.

Experience:

• construction: 5 years (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $95,000 - $120,000