Residential Remodeling Project Developer / Preconstruction Manager
Job Description Guide High-End Remodeling Projects from Initial Concept to Construction-Ready Plan Company: Out of the Woods Construction Location : Waltham, Massachusetts Work Arrangement: Primarily office-based, with regular travel to client homes and project sites throughout Greater Boston Employment Type: Full-time Compensation: $75,000–$100,000 per year, based on experience Required License: Active Massachusetts Construction Supervisor License Project Focus: High-end residential remodeling, additions, whole-home renovations, kitchens, bathrooms, and older New England homes The Opportunity Out of the Woods Construction is seeking a Residential Remodeling Project Developer to lead projects through the critical preconstruction and planning phase. You will help turn a homeowner’s initial ideas into a clearly defined, realistically budgeted, and construction-ready project. This requires more than estimating from a completed set of plans. You must understand how residential remodeling projects are actually built, recognize risks hidden behind existing finishes, and coordinate the many decisions required before construction begins. You will join projects at the first site visit, help establish preliminary budget expectations, and then take ownership of feasibility, estimating, design coordination, scope development, trade pricing, client communication, and final contract preparation. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced residential estimator, preconstruction professional, production manager, or Lead Carpenter who wants to move away from daily tool-belt work while continuing to use deep field knowledge. What You Will Do Participate in initial client site visits after the opportunity has been qualified. Evaluate the existing home, proposed scope, access conditions, structural concerns, and likely construction challenges. Help develop preliminary “brown bag” estimates that give clients a realistic early budget range. Present preliminary cost expectations clearly and professionally to prospective clients. Guide clients through the decision to proceed into a paid feasibility and planning phase. Take ownership of the project-development process after the feasibility phase begins. Develop detailed written scopes of work. Prepare project budgets and guaranteed budget ranges based on the information available at each stage. Continuously update estimates as designs, selections, specifications, and field conditions become clearer. Create preliminary development and production schedules. Coordinate architects, designers, engineers, vendors, subcontractors, and internal production staff. Organize site visits and trade walkthroughs to gather accurate pricing and identify execution concerns. Determine where exploratory openings or additional investigation are necessary to reduce uncertainty before construction. Review plans and design decisions for constructability, sequencing, cost, access, and field impact. Identify hidden-condition risks common in older New England homes, including previous renovations, outdated systems, structural deterioration, settled framing, and limited access. Maintain regular communication with clients throughout design and development, including weekly progress meetings when appropriate. Help clients understand how design decisions affect budget, schedule, and construction complexity. Manage project information, communication, estimates, selections, and documentation in JobTread. Coordinate internal project reviews with production management and Lead Carpenters. Finalize project scopes, budgets, drawings, specifications, and construction agreements. Deliver a complete and organized handoff to the production team before construction begins. Required Qualifications Active Massachusetts Construction Supervisor License. Demonstrated experience in residential remodeling, preconstruction, estimating, project development, or construction project management. Strong practical understanding of how residential remodeling projects are sequenced and built. Ability to read and interpret residential plans, scopes, specifications, and construction details. Ability to assess existing site conditions and recognize potential structural, mechanical, access, or sequencing risks. Experience developing estimates, budgets, scopes of work, or material takeoffs. Strong client-facing communication skills. Ability to explain budget, scope, schedule, and construction limitations clearly to homeowners. Strong organization and follow-through across multiple active projects. Ability to coordinate designers, vendors, subcontractors, and internal team members. Strong written communication and documentation skills. Strong knowledge of Windows or Mac environments, MS Suite; including Excel, Word, and MS Project, along with proficiency in JobTread software Comfort using estimating, project-management, and client-communication software. Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation. Ability to travel to client homes and project sites throughout the Greater Boston service area. Preferred Qualifications Five or more years of hands-on residential remodeling or carpentry experience. Previous experience as a Lead Carpenter, residential estimator, preconstruction manager, remodeling contractor, or production manager. Experience transitioning projects from early design through final construction agreement. Experience estimating additions, kitchens, bathrooms, and whole-home renovations. Familiarity with the construction challenges found in older New England homes. Experience coordinating architects, designers, engineers, and trade contractors. Experience managing high-end residential clients. Experience with multiple estimating and construction-management softwares. Experience developing preliminary schedules and detailed scopes of work. High school diploma, GED, trade-school education, or equivalent field experience. What Success Looks Like Establishes realistic client expectations early. Identifies risks before they become field problems or expensive change orders. Produces complete, accurate, and clearly written scopes. Keeps design decisions aligned with the client’s budget. Maintains steady momentum across several projects at different stages. Obtains timely information and pricing from designers, vendors, and subcontractors. Communicates consistently with clients. Understands when additional investigation is necessary before finalizing a price. Creates a smooth, complete handoff that gives the production team confidence in the project. Balances client goals, design intent, construction realities, and company profitability. Compensation and Benefits $75,000–$100,000 annual salary, based on experience and demonstrated capability. Weekly pay. Medical and dental insurance. Paid holidays, vacation time, and sick leave. Paid parental leave. Mileage reimbursement for approved business travel. Company-provided technology appropriate to the role. Technical, safety, manufacturer, and professional-development training. Mentorship and opportunities for continued growth. Company uniforms where appropriate. Regular company events and team-building activities. About Out of the Woods Construction Out of the Woods Construction has served Greater Boston homeowners for more than 34 years. We specialize in thoughtful residential remodeling, additions, custom work, and renovations of older New England homes. Our process is designed to reduce surprises before construction begins. We invest time in understanding existing conditions, refining scope, coordinating design, and developing realistic budgets so that clients and field teams enter construction with a clear plan. We are continually improving our systems and are looking for professionals who value craftsmanship, honest communication, practical problem-solving, and accountability. Learn more at www.outofthewoodsconstruction.com. Equal Opportunity Employer Out of the Woods Construction is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are based on job-related qualifications, experience, performance, and business needs without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.
