Estimator

LG Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation package

Bonus opportunities

Unlimited PTO

Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits

401(k) with employer match

Paid maternity and paternity leave

Downtown Chicago headquarters

Job summary

LG Group is seeking an experienced Estimator for its LG Builders Preconstruction team in Chicago. You will develop accurate budgets and estimates through the preconstruction lifecycle, working closely with clients, architects, consultants, subcontractors, vendors, and internal teams.

The role requires a strong grasp of Chicago market dynamics, cost drivers, and an established network of trade partners to ensure competitive pricing and successful project pursuits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Construction Engineering, Architecture, or a related field.
• 5-10 years of estimating, preconstruction, or commercial construction experience.
• Experience with general contracting, construction management, or design-build organizations.
• Strong understanding of construction means, methods, and cost drivers.
• Ability to read and interpret drawings and specs.
• Experience preparing budgets, estimates, takeoffs, and bid packages.
• Strong knowledge of the Chicago construction market and local subcontractor community.
• Existing relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, and trade partners.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Bluebeam.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare conceptual, schematic, design development, and construction document estimates.
• Develop project budgets and cost plans throughout preconstruction.
• Perform quantity takeoffs and detailed pricing analyses.
• Identify project risks, constructability concerns, and cost-savings opportunities.
• Support feasibility studies and early project planning efforts.
• Develop value engineering recommendations while maintaining design intent.
• Independently manage estimates from pursuit through final pricing and turnover.
• Prepare bid packages and manage subcontractor solicitation efforts.
• Analyze and level subcontractor and vendor proposals.
• Conduct scope reviews and negotiate pricing, qualifications, and scope coverage.
• Support proposal development and project pursuit activities.
• Build and maintain relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, and vendors in the Chicago market.
• Evaluate subcontractor capabilities and project fit.
• Collaborate with Project Managers, Superintendents, and Operations teams.
• Participate in design reviews, scope meetings, and budget discussions.
• Communicate estimating assumptions, risks, and recommendations to stakeholders.
• Support turnover from preconstruction to operations.

Skills

Estimating

Budgeting

Quantity takeoffs

Bid management

Subcontractor relations

Microsoft Office

Bluebeam

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management

Tools

Procore

Sage

Bluebeam

Job description

Description

About LG Group

LG Group is a full-service real estate development, construction, and design firm headquartered in Chicago. Our integrated platform brings development, construction, design, property management, and investment expertise together under one roof, allowing us to deliver projects with a higher level of collaboration, innovation, and execution.

Built on ingenuity, teamwork, and entrepreneurial spirit, LG Group creates places and experiences that positively impact the communities we serve. Our portfolio spans hospitality, multifamily, mixed-use, retail, commercial, residential, and adaptive reuse projects throughout the country.

Everything we do is powered by our people. We are committed to creating an employee experience focused on collaboration, professional development, mentorship, and growth, making LG a place where talented individuals can build meaningful and rewarding careers.

At LG Group, we know a career is more than just a job. It's the pursuit of passion.

About The Role

LG Builders is seeking an experienced Estimator to join our growing Preconstruction team. This individual will be responsible for developing accurate project budgets and cost estimates throughout the preconstruction lifecycle while partnering closely with clients, architects, consultants, subcontractors, vendors, and internal project teams.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys building relationships across the construction industry, and has a strong understanding of the Chicago construction market. The successful candidate will bring a combination of technical estimating expertise, commercial awareness, and an established network of subcontractor and trade partner relationships.

LG provides equal opportunity in all its employment practices to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity, and sexual orientation), color, religion, gender, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, marital status, military/veteran status, genetic information, or any other category protected by law. This policy applies to all aspects of the employment relationship, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, job assignments, training, compensation, benefits, promotion, transfer, disciplinary action, or separation of employment.

Key Responsibilities

Preconstruction & Budget Development

• Prepare conceptual, schematic, design development, and construction document estimates.
• Develop project budgets and cost plans throughout the preconstruction process.
• Perform quantity takeoffs and detailed pricing analyses.
• Identify project risks, constructability concerns, and cost‑saving opportunities.
• Support feasibility studies and early project planning efforts.
• Develop value engineering recommendations that maintain project quality and design intent.

Estimating & Bid Management

• Independently manage estimates from project pursuit through final pricing and turnover.
• Develop comprehensive and competitive construction cost estimates.
• Prepare bid packages and manage subcontractor solicitation efforts.
• Analyze and level subcontractor and vendor proposals.
• Conduct scope reviews and negotiate pricing, qualifications, and scope coverage.
• Support proposal development and project pursuit activities.

Trade Partner & Market Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, and vendors throughout the Chicago market.
• Leverage local market knowledge to obtain competitive pricing and valuable industry insights.
• Evaluate subcontractor capabilities, availability, and project fit.
• Expand and strengthen LG Builders' network of trade partners.

Collaboration & Project Support

• Partner closely with Project Managers, Superintendents, Business Development, and Operations teams.
• Participate in design reviews, scope meetings, and budget discussions.
• Communicate estimating assumptions, risks, and recommendations to project stakeholders.
• Support successful project turnover from preconstruction to operations.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Construction Engineering, Architecture, or a related field.
• 5‑10 years of estimating, preconstruction, or commercial construction experience.
• Experience working for a general contractor, construction manager, or design‑build organization.
• Strong understanding of construction means and methods, project sequencing, and cost drivers.
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings and specifications.
• Experience preparing conceptual budgets, detailed estimates, quantity takeoffs, and bid packages.
• Strong knowledge of the Chicago construction market and local subcontractor community.
• Existing relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, and trade partners.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Bluebeam.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience estimating multifamily, mixed-use, hospitality, retail, commercial, residential, or high‑rise projects.
• Experience working with both union and non‑union subcontractors and labor environments.
• Experience with Procore, Sage, or similar estimating and construction management software.
• Design‑build, negotiated, or construction management project delivery experience.
• Experience presenting estimates and budgets to clients and project stakeholders.

Why Join LG Builders?

• Competitive compensation package
• Bonus opportunities
• Unlimited PTO
• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid maternity and paternity leave
• Chicago Athletic Clubs gym subsidy
• Annual Divvy membership
• Downtown Chicago headquarters
• Collaborative, entrepreneurial culture
• Professional development and career growth opportunities
• Opportunity to work on exciting and diverse construction projects throughout Chicago

** We are not accepting recruitment agency submissions for this general role. Recruiters are not authorized to submit or solicit candidate profiles for this posting. Regardless of contracts in place, any submitted profiles by recruiters to this posting or via email to LG Group employees directly will be considered unsolicited and will not be eligible for recruitment fees. **