Building estimator skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical building estimator skills. We ranked the top skills for building estimators based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 25.8% of building estimator resumes contained hvac as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a building estimator needs to be successful in the workplace.

9 building estimator skills for your resume and career

1. HVAC

Here's how building estimators use hvac:

Position Description: Determine the feasibility of converting a residential HVAC business into a large commercial and industrial mechanical contractor.
Participated in a team environment engineering and estimating commercial, residential and industrial HVAC projects for new and existing buildings.

2. Cost Estimates

Here's how building estimators use cost estimates:

Interpreted construction documents; organized and prepared quantity take-offs and cost estimates for commercial and industrial subcontract work of various kinds.
Developed detailed manufacturing cycle time forecasts and established precise cost estimates for product launches by closely analyzing pricing and market trends.

3. Bid Packages

A Bid Package is a term used in relation with construction projects and subcontractors. The phrase refers to the collected set of documents which are necessary in order to respond to an invitation by a company or, less often, an individual to bid on one of the said construction projects. The necessary contents of the package may differ from one invitation to the next, but they will most definitely include such items like an offered price package for the whole project, with the various expected costs labeled within.

Here's how building estimators use bid packages:

Create scope of work bid packages.
Performed quantity surveys, accumulated data, solicited pricing from vendors and made calculations required for submission of comprehensive bid packages.

4. Construction Projects

A construction project is an organized process of constructing, redeveloping, renovating, or otherwise improving a building, or structure. The project phase begins usually as a broad criterion that is then made with the help of a brief, feasibility analysis, funding, and planning. The majority of construction projects are one-time jobs.

Here's how building estimators use construction projects:

Coordinate with department personnel and assist them in establishing the scope and standards of construction projects.
Performed timely and accurate quantity surveys, summarized quantification to pricing format and developed competitive bids for construction projects.

5. Commercial Buildings

Here's how building estimators use commercial buildings:

Inspected renovations or commercial buildings and projects.
Worked on numerous projects, including apartment buildings, commercial buildings, plazas, and houses.

6. Building Materials

Building Materials are the raw materials used in construction projects, including concrete, rebar, steel, wood, and scaffolding. The construction projects can be rudimentary as well, and therefore twigs, leaves, and clay can also be classified as building materials. There are also classifications of building materials, such as binders that act as adhesives like cement and lime.

Here's how building estimators use building materials:

Utilized technology of scan film, plan rooms, and customer's blueprints and specifications to estimate commercial building material.
Read blueprints, estimated building materials, shopped for building materials Verified pricing by each or board ft.

7. RFQ

A request for quotation (RFQ) is a document that a corporation submits to one or more potential suppliers obtaining quotations for a service or product. Typically, an RFQ seeks a detailed list of prices for something that is measurable like hardware and it involves more than the price per item. RFQ, call for bids and invitation for bid generally mean the same thing.

Here's how building estimators use rfq:

Review Customer RFQ specifications and supporting documentation to determine equipment content required.
Review Customer RFQ specifications and sales documentation to determine equipment content required.

8. CAD

Here's how building estimators use cad:

Provided in-house design services using the latest computer aided design (CAD) software, including 3D presentations.
Updated engineering drawings (using CAD software), and made recommendations to the supervisor to improve department operating efficiency.

9. Material Take-Offs

Here's how building estimators use material take-offs:

Reviewed architectural drawings and accurately prepared highly detailed quantity surveys/material take-offs using MS Excel and AutoCAD for projects from 50 cu.
Read and interpret blueprints/specifications and perform material take-offs to determine specific materials needed to complete various projects.

What skills help Building Estimators find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

List of building estimator skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a building estimator resume and required skills for a building estimator to have include:

HVAC
Cost Estimates
Bid Packages

Construction Projects
Commercial Buildings
Building Materials

RFQ
CAD
Material Take-Offs

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse business and financial jobs