SHOREWOOD DEVELOPMENT GROUP

Construction Estimator

Department: Construction & Development

Reports To: Matt Jung, Senior Project Manager

Location: Buffalo Grove, IL (hybrid; site visits and subcontractor meetings required)

Employment Type: Full-Time

Position Overview

Shorewood Development Group is a Buffalo Grove-based retail commercial real estate developer with a growing portfolio of ground-up projects featuring national credit tenants including Tesla, Sprouts, Dutch Bros, and Chipotle. We develop $5M–$50M projects across the Midwest and are building our in-house construction capability to deliver better cost control, schedule performance, and quality.

We are looking for an experienced Construction Estimator to own the preconstruction process — from conceptual budgeting through bid leveling and GMP development. This is a senior-level contributor role for someone with deep subcontractor relationships, strong command of commercial construction costs, and the discipline to produce estimates that partners and lenders can actually rely on. You will work closely with our project managers, design team, and ownership group to make go/no-go and scope decisions with real numbers behind them.

Key Responsibilities

Preconstruction & Estimating

Prepare conceptual, schematic, and design development budgets for retail and mixed-use projects ranging from $2M to $30M
Develop detailed quantity takeoffs from architectural, civil, structural, and MEP drawings
Produce and issue bid packages; manage the solicitation, receipt, and leveling of subcontractor bids
Identify scope gaps, exclusions, and clarifications in subcontractor proposals and resolve before award
Build and maintain cost databases for unit pricing, labor rates, and material benchmarks by trade and market
Produce final GMP or hard-bid estimates with clearly documented assumptions, alternates, and contingency recommendations

Subcontractor & Vendor Relationships

Leverage an existing network of subcontractors across key trades (concrete, steel, framing, MEP, sitework) to generate competitive, reliable bids
Cultivate new subcontractor relationships in Shorewood's target markets, with emphasis on the Midwest
Evaluate subcontractor capacity, financial stability, and past performance as part of the bid qualification process
Maintain an approved subcontractor list and flag performance issues to project leadership

Design & Value Engineering

Engage early in design to provide real-time cost feedback and identify value engineering opportunities before drawings are complete
Coordinate with architects, civil engineers, and MEP consultants to resolve cost-driving design issues proactively
Prepare side-by-side cost comparisons for design alternatives and present tradeoffs clearly to partners
Identify long-lead materials and equipment early; recommend procurement strategies to protect schedule

Budget Handoff & Construction Support

Produce a detailed project budget at construction start that aligns with the estimate and serves as the baseline for PM cost tracking
Participate in buyout meetings and assist PMs in finalizing subcontract scopes and award values
Support change order review by providing independent cost assessments on GC-submitted pricing
Conduct post-project cost reviews and incorporate lessons learned into future estimates

Reporting & Internal Collaboration

Present estimates to partners with clear narrative on assumptions, risks, and contingency rationale
Maintain estimate files and bid documentation in an organized, retrievable format per Shorewood standards
Work collaboratively with development, accounting, and project management teams to align cost projections with proformas and lender budgets

Technology & Tools

Shorewood is a tech-forward organization and expects the Estimator to bring modern tools to the preconstruction process. Proficiency or demonstrated experience in the following is expected:

Bluebeam Revu – quantity takeoff, drawing markup, and bid package assembly
On-Screen Takeoff, PlanSwift, or equivalent digital takeoff software
Procore – bid management, document control, and construction cost tracking
Microsoft Excel (advanced) – estimate templates, bid leveling workbooks, and cost tracking
Familiarity with RSMeans or similar cost databases for benchmarking and validation
Openness to AI-assisted tools for specification review, scope gap analysis, and cost modeling

Qualifications

Required

5+ years of estimating experience in commercial construction, with demonstrated responsibility for projects in the $2M–$30M range
Established subcontractor network across key trades in the Chicagoland area and/or broader Midwest
Strong command of construction costs by trade, division, and market — you can spot a number that's wrong
Experience managing full bid cycles from solicitation through award
Ability to read and interpret full construction document sets including architectural, civil, structural, and MEP
Excellent written and verbal communication skills — estimates mean nothing if you can't explain them
High proficiency in Excel and digital takeoff tools

Preferred

Experience estimating ground-up retail, QSR, or multi-tenant commercial projects
Background working for a general contractor, construction manager, or owner's representative
Familiarity with construction loan draw processes and lender budget requirements
Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field
LEED AP, DBIA, or other relevant professional credential a plus

What We're Really Looking For

We're not just filling a seat in a preconstruction department. We're building an in-house construction capability from the ground up, and the Estimator will be foundational to that effort. The right person:

Takes ownership of their numbers — you stand behind your estimate and can defend every line
Has relationships, not just a contact list — subcontractors call you back because they want to work with you
Moves fast without cutting corners — we work in a competitive market and speed matters
Thinks like an owner — you understand that a bad estimate doesn't just lose a bid, it kills a deal or a project
Wants to be part of building something, not just processing work orders

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive base salary commensurate with experience
Discretionary performance bonus tied to project and company performance
Blue Cross Blue Shield health coverage — company pays 80% of individual premiums
15 days PTO annually
Opportunity for project ownership participation as construction entity scales
Direct access to partners and genuine influence over how the company builds

Shorewood Development Group is an equal opportunity employer.

Pay: $75,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k)
Dental insurance
Health insurance
Paid time off
Parental leave
Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Shorewood Development Group

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