What does a construction estimator do?
A construction estimator is responsible for determining project requirements, estimating metrics, including cost-analysis procedures and area inspection to spot potential inconsistencies, mitigate risks, and address production gaps. Construction estimators work closely with the engineers to identify construction requirements and specifications for forecasting. They also coordinate with construction suppliers and third-party vendors to negotiate pricing contracts for high-quality materials according to budget limitations. A construction estimator reports findings to management, recommending solutions and adjustments to achieve desired output and deadlines.
Construction estimator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real construction estimator resumes:
- Manage prevailing wage for payroll and prepare and submit bi-weekly certify payroll reports.
- Supervise the installation of electronics, plumbing and penning.
- Complete requests for information (RFI) and log them for future reference.
- Complete estimates using spreadsheet models, cad models, similar designs and grass roots techniques.
- Estimate cost of various building projects, pole barns, decks, plumbing, electrical supplies.
- Gather, submit, and track relevant request for information (RFI) to project owner.
- Document inspection results using sketch and notes taken from client interviews, property review and instrument readings increasing client trust.
- Perform take-offs on commercial civil plans to determine material quantities need for all asphalt and concrete paving aspects of the project.
- Evaluate construction costs of grading, asphalt paving, and utilities (storm drain, domestic water, joint trench).
- Utilize Xactimate estimating software as well as independent estimating.
- Create and track project schedules utilizing the Primavera scheduling software SureTrak.
- Review blueprints and specifications to determine design intent, isolate features into groups of operations.
- Assist with development of design build requirements require by federal acquisition regulations or private clients.
- Prepare and organize complete EPC estimates for future work.
- Document leer requirements on leer certified projects.
Construction estimator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 13% of Construction Estimators are proficient in Construction Management, Project Management, and Cost Estimates. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Construction Estimators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Construction Management, 13%
General Services is a general contracting, engineering and construction management firm specializing in public works.
- Project Management, 10%
Performed project management duties including scheduling, hiring, and overseeing sub-contractors.
- Cost Estimates, 8%
Performed materials quantity takeoffs and cost estimates for bidding commercial General Contractor bids jobs.
- Customer Service, 5%
Conduct public relations and customer service duties while interfacing with customers from varied racial and social economic backgrounds.
- Quantity Take-Offs, 5%
Reviewed and analyzed architectural blueprints and quantity take-off to provide timely and accurate bids.
- Sage, 4%
Create and modify estimating assemblies and models within Sage Timberline to increase efficiency and accuracy.
Most construction estimators use their skills in "construction management," "project management," and "cost estimates" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential construction estimator responsibilities here:
Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a construction estimator to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "cost estimators must review and evaluate different construction and manufacturing methods to find cost-effective options." Construction estimators often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "tied solid business relationships with general contractors and subcontractors, based on mutual trust and accurate project data analysis. "
Detail oriented. This is an important skill for construction estimators to perform their duties. For an example of how construction estimator responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "cost estimators must be precise, because minor changes may greatly affect the overall expense of a project or product." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a construction estimator: "create detailed and accurate scope of work for submittal to general contractors. ".
Math skills. For certain construction estimator responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "math skills." The day-to-day duties of a construction estimator rely on this skill, as "cost estimators need excellent math skills to calculate labor, material, and equipment estimates for construction projects." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what construction estimators do: "produced quantitative takeoffs and cost estimates for projects. "
Time-management skills. Another crucial skill for a construction estimator to carry out their responsibilities is "time-management skills." A big part of what construction estimators relies on this skill, since "cost estimators must plan in advance and work efficiently to meet their deadlines." How this skill relates to construction estimator duties can be seen in an example from a construction estimator resume snippet: "submit complete bid package to customer by deadline. "
The three companies that hire the most construction estimators are:
- GPAC101 construction estimators jobs
- CyberCoders54 construction estimators jobs
- Caddell Construction25 construction estimators jobs
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Compare different construction estimators
Construction estimator vs. Estimating assistant
An estimator project manager is responsible for analyzing cost estimates by gathering cost information from suppliers and other third-party vendors. An estimator project manager must have excellent analytical and critical-thinking skills, especially with measurement accuracy and evaluating important project metrics. Estimator project managers research the general market pricing of materials and labor costs, estimate production times, and follow the project timetable without compromising the quality and the client's specifications. They create estimate reports and risk analyses to discuss with the client and the project team.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a construction estimator are more likely to require skills like "construction management," "project management," "customer service," and "sage." On the other hand, a job as an estimating assistant requires skills like "purchase orders," "worksheets," "subcontractor database," and "bid bonds." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Estimating assistants tend to make the most money working in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $56,112. In contrast, construction estimators make the biggest average salary, $74,829, in the start-up industry.estimating assistants tend to reach similar levels of education than construction estimators. In fact, estimating assistants are 4.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Construction estimator vs. Estimator/project coordinator
An estimating manager will oversee the day-to-day activities of the estimating department. Your duties typically include implementing technical estimating procedures and standards and overseeing the project estimator's work. As an estimating manager, you will be responsible for soliciting proposals and bids for labor, equipment, and material from different suppliers. Aside from these, you will be the one responsible for coordinating bid inputs from other departments. You are also responsible for reviewing and evaluating the performance of junior and senior estimators.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real construction estimator resumes. While construction estimator responsibilities can utilize skills like "construction management," "project management," "customer service," and "sage," estimator/project coordinators use skills like "purchase orders," "bid invitations," "project coordination," and "rfq."
On average, estimator/project coordinators earn a lower salary than construction estimators. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, estimator/project coordinators earn the most pay in the construction industry with an average salary of $57,269. Whereas construction estimators have higher pay in the start-up industry, with an average salary of $74,829.estimator/project coordinators earn similar levels of education than construction estimators in general. They're 3.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Construction estimator vs. Estimator project manager
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, construction estimators are more likely to have skills like "project management," "customer service," "sage," and "historical data." But a estimator project manager is more likely to have skills like "cost control," "conceptual development," "microsoft project," and "project budget."
Estimator project managers make a very good living in the energy industry with an average annual salary of $77,488. On the other hand, construction estimators are paid the highest salary in the start-up industry, with average annual pay of $74,829.estimator project managers typically earn similar educational levels compared to construction estimators. Specifically, they're 2.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Construction estimator vs. Estimating manager
Types of construction estimator
Updated January 8, 2025
