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Construction estimator skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted experts

Irish Horsey Ph.D.,

Irish Horsey Ph.D.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical construction estimator skills. We ranked the top skills for construction estimators based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 13.0% of construction estimator resumes contained construction management as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a construction estimator needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 construction estimator skills for your resume and career

1. Construction Management

Here's how construction estimators use construction management:

General Services is a general contracting, engineering and construction management firm specializing in public works.
Installed and configured a construction management software package to streamline operations.

2. Project Management

Here's how construction estimators use project management:

Performed project management duties including scheduling, hiring, and overseeing sub-contractors.
Field crew and project management Construction estimating Transportation

3. Cost Estimates

Here's how construction estimators use cost estimates:

Performed materials quantity takeoffs and cost estimates for bidding commercial General Contractor bids jobs.
Provided cost estimates and developed new construction staking contracts.

4. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how construction estimators use customer service:

Conduct public relations and customer service duties while interfacing with customers from varied racial and social economic backgrounds.
Provided customer service in handling highly sensitive claims including support for bereavement due to family a loss.

5. Quantity Take-Offs

A quantity takes off or known as Construction or Material takeoff, is a thorough measurement of machines, materials, equipment, and labor needed for a construction project to complete. It is usually managed by what you call an estimator during the project's pre-construction stage and eventually divides it into the smaller category for the project to estimate, measure, and assess easier.

Here's how construction estimators use quantity take-offs:

Reviewed and analyzed architectural blueprints and quantity take-off to provide timely and accurate bids.
Prepared material quantity take-off, estimates and solicited material cost proposal from vendors.

6. Sage

Here's how construction estimators use sage:

Create and modify estimating assemblies and models within Sage Timberline to increase efficiency and accuracy.
Utilized Sage 100 software (MasterBuilder) to store invoices and track accounts payable.

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7. Value Engineering

Value engineering is used to identify, solve problems, and eliminate unnecessary costs to improve quality and function. This set of methodical steps in the value engineering process optimise primary and long-term investment while pursuing the best value at the lowest cost.

Here's how construction estimators use value engineering:

Identified probable cost over-runs, and participated in value engineering brainstorming sessions.
Assessed contractor value engineering proposals and participated in negotiations and settlements.

8. Historical Data

In a large context, historical data is the total collected data about all/some past events and circumstances about a particular field. Historical data comprises data that is generated either automatically or manually within a given enterprise. This data is used to study and understand correlations, trends, patterns, and other statistical relationships that drive insight into the performance of a business. Historical data has two sub-categories called descriptive and diagnostic data. Descriptive data aims at explaining WHAT is happening while diagnostic data focuses on explaining the WHY behind it.

Here's how construction estimators use historical data:

Maintain efficient system for logging proposals and a historical database of estimates.
Analyzed construction costs based on historical data and project conditions.

9. Timberline

Here's how construction estimators use timberline:

Set up and managed Timberline Estimating computer software program for the five station estimating department while performing normal estimating duties.
Prepared all estimates using On-Screen Take-Off, Timberline software, and prepared proposals in Excel, and Microsoft Word.

10. Sub Contractors

A subcontractor works on a contractual basis wherein they perform duties intended only for a particular client or customer. It is done to agree on terms with the contractor and not with a client. Typically, it is a specific type of concentration where they meant to partner with different contractors depending on the project to be implemented.

Here's how construction estimators use sub contractors:

Provide input to Sub Contractors due to the reading and understanding engineering drawings/plans and specs.
Solicited bid quotation from the vendors and sub contractors.

11. Construction Cost

Here's how construction estimators use construction cost:

Estimated construction cost for insurance repairs on residential/commercial properties
Monitored ongoing construction costs to assist management.

12. 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 construction estimators use bid packages:

Coordinated and oversaw the estimating process to provide a competitive total bid package for each project.
Prepare and submit bids and bid packages to general contractors by due date.

13. PowerPoint

Here's how construction estimators use powerpoint:

Established bids using Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
Utilized software application programs, such as; Excel, Word, Powerpoint, PC Pricing.

14. Project Scope

Here's how construction estimators use project scope:

Obtained bids from vendors and subcontractors by specifying materials, project scope of work, schedule, qualification requirements and price.
Prepared and updated project scope(s) of work as dictated by changes to individual projects.

15. CAD

Here's how construction estimators use cad:

Used Auto cad for various designs of additions, buildings, hand railings, anchor bolt placement templates.
Design floor plans, elevations, and realistic renderings with the help of CAD software.

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What skills help Construction Estimators find jobs?

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

What skills stand out on construction estimator resumes?

Irish Horsey Ph.D.

Interim Chair of the Department of Construction Management and Assistant Professor, Kennesaw State University

Construction Managers are problem solvers. Employers seek analytical, technical, and effective communication skills from potential employees for construction management positions. Whether building a skyscraper or single-family home, there are always groups of people performing numerous construction activities and tasks simultaneously on a construction site. Therefore, resumes that show time, cost, and, most importantly, safety management skills are most desired by employers.

What soft skills should all construction estimators possess?

Irish Horsey Ph.D.

Interim Chair of the Department of Construction Management and Assistant Professor, Kennesaw State University

Leadership and communication are among the most essential skills of a construction manager. Construction managers are responsible for ensuring that projects are built safely on schedule, within budget, and to the quality outlined in the drawings and specifications. To fulfill these responsibilities, construction managers must lead multiple teams, including primary, secondary, and third party players, on a construction project through effective oral and written communications.

What hard/technical skills are most important for construction estimators?

Irish Horsey Ph.D.

Interim Chair of the Department of Construction Management and Assistant Professor, Kennesaw State University

Construction Managers are project managers with specialized technical skills. Construction managers' most important technical skills are print reading, estimating, scheduling, project and technology management.

What construction estimator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Neil Opfer

Assoc. Professor - UNLV Civil & Environmental Engineering & Construction Department, Website

First off, know what competitive salaries are in your area of the country for the type of job you want as you never have to recover from a good start. Some companies, for instance, will offer salaries that are simply not competitive. As an example, a few years ago, we had one CM graduate starting at $70K per year at one firm (heavy-highway contractor) whereas another grad had been offered $42K per year for a commercial flooring contractor. That $42K was simply not competitive with the market whether that employer offering that salary knew it or not. Also, compare offers versus area living costs. Use cost-of-living calculators such as at bankrate.com If you, using this bankrate.com tool, were offered one job in Las Vegas NV at $80,000 per year versus another job opportunity in Los Angeles CA, you would need $122,000 per year as a comparable salary. Remember to measure yourself as to earning that salary on a regular basis. Don't take jobs where a bonus is promised to make up for a bad salary. Example here is taking a Superintendent Job where your Job ended up profitable but other jobs run by others overall didn't so taking that lower salary and not getting that bonus didn't work out so well. Again, benchmark yourself against what others in the industry in that same area are actually getting paid. If you truly feel you deserve a raise where you're at but can't get it you may need to change jobs to get to a higher salary scale. But that firm offering above-market salaries may be doing so because of internal problems (bad bosses, poor working conditions, insane hours, insane understaffing, etc.) so look before you leap. It's a given that to be successful as a working professional in construction, one cannot just work a 40-hour week. But you shouldn't be working 7-10s or more on a regular basis either. Again, through networking you perhaps can find out who are the 'bad employers.'

What type of skills will young construction estimators need?

Becky Serbin

Director of Education and Curriculum, National Tile Contractors Association

Tile contractors are hiring across the U.S. and using several different online job posting sites. We even have an online form that those interested in the trade can fill out. When we receive them, they are forwarded to members in their area. If the person is located in an area where there is a union presence, they can even contact that office for job opportunities.

What technical skills for a construction estimator stand out to employers?

Kristen Parrish Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Arizona State University

This is pretty dependent on the job that you're going for, but I think that one technical skill that employers in construction look for is the ability to communicate technical information clearly and concisely. This will be critical onsite and in the office -- you need to demonstrate an understanding of how a project comes together, and this requires the ability to communicate clearly. Beyond the communication, a technical understanding of material behavior (i.e., concrete curing, crane picks, etc.).

Do you want to know more?

List of construction estimator skills to add to your resume

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

Construction Management
Project Management
Cost Estimates
Customer Service
Quantity Take-Offs
Sage
Value Engineering
Historical Data
Timberline
Sub Contractors
Construction Cost
Bid Packages
PowerPoint
Project Scope
CAD
Project Estimates
General Contractors

Project Cost
Plumbing
Cost Analysis
Xactimate
Demolition
Design Development
Bid Process
Subcontractor Bids
Labor Estimates
MEP
Shop Drawings
Asphalt
RFI
Bid Proposals
Construction Drawings
Material Take-Offs
Customer Satisfaction

RFP
Construction Projects
HVAC
Construction Estimates
Construction Schedule
Material Costs
Material Suppliers
Hard Bid
Sketch
Roofing
OSHA
Architectural Drawings
Quality Service
Construction Budgets
Commercial Buildings

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

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