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Estimator skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
Estimator example skills
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical estimator skills. We ranked the top skills for estimators based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 16.9% of estimator resumes contained customer service as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills an estimator needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 estimator skills for your resume and career

1. 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 estimators use customer service:
  • Utilized exceptional product knowledge, customer service and integrity to consistently exceed identified sales goals in the carpet department.
  • Liaised between sales/customer service and production to provide accurate quotes to customers maximizing production efficiency and company margin.

2. Cost Estimates

Here's how 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. Project Management

Here's how estimators use project management:
  • Project Management of Miscellaneous Metal projects with responsibilities included scheduling, fabrication, hiring sub-contractors, pulling permits and accounts receivables.
  • Project management and sales for manufacturer of stability chambers used for testing temperature and humidity conditions of pharmaceutical and consumer products.

4. Repair Process

Repair process refers to the process of repairing refurbished, obsolete, and damaged equipment. Though the term is commonly associated with the automotive industry, it also applies to various other industries.

Here's how estimators use repair process:
  • Write estimates for customers and dealerships *Schedule workload *Monitor repair process/ create supplements
  • Monitored repairs of vehicles, communicate with customers regarding repair process/progress.

5. Work Ethic

Here's how estimators use work ethic:
  • Recognized in 1st and 3rd quarters of 2015 for work ethic and accuracy in claims handling, resulting in reduced costs.
  • Enjoyed early promotion due to personal diligence and excellent work ethic

6. 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 estimators use construction projects:
  • Received comprehensive training and professional development in quantity takeoffs and was responsible for supervising plan room for major construction projects.
  • Project ManagerPrepared and submitted cost estimates for construction projects in the industrial and municipal segments of the construction industry.

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7. 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 estimators use quantity take-offs:
  • Calculated quantity take-offs and estimates Performed concrete testing, mix design calculations, and quality control Supervised and scheduled field personnel
  • Reviewed submitted engineering drawings and conducted quantity take-off estimates for standard sewer pipe and manhole structures and covers.

8. General Contractors

A general contractor is a person who has the job of overseeing a construction project after a contract has been signed between the property owner and the contractor. A general contractor is also called a direct contractor and provides all of the labor, material, equipment like tools, and transport. Most of the time, a general contractor also hires multiple subcontractors to do all or different parts of the construction work.

Here's how estimators use general contractors:
  • Developed excellent working relationships with General Contractors, collaborating closely throughout the bid process, resulting in long-term business relationships.
  • Reviewed plans and specifications, estimated material volumes, developed bidding documentations and submitted bids to general contractors.

9. HVAC

Here's how estimators use hvac:
  • Developed HVAC and plumbing material and labor estimates for Mechanical Contractor.
  • Performed HVAC estimation services for residential and commercial customers.

10. Plumbing

Here's how estimators use plumbing:
  • Provide industrial cost proposals for large mechanical, plumbing and electrical installations.
  • Coordinated with leadership and technical to prepare mechanical and plumbing estimates.

11. Math

Here's how estimators use math:
  • Identified a senior estimator's take-off math error on fireproof discipline during a team effort bid.
  • Use of simple math adding, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

12. CCC

Here's how estimators use ccc:
  • Generated estimates and confirmed customer payments were received using CCC estimating software.
  • Position involved automobile appraising utilizing CCC Pathways computerized estimating system.

13. CAD

Here's how estimators use cad:
  • Reviewed rough and final grade layouts, blueprints, CAD files, proposals, and other documents to estimate actual quantities.
  • Coordinated efforts with the Director of Construction Services, Purchasing Manager, CAD designers, division managers and construction representatives.

14. 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 estimators use value engineering:
  • Leveraged strong relationships across local, national and global subcontractors identifying value engineering alternatives to save cost and time.
  • Reviewed construction drawings and engineering specifications for cost effectiveness and suggestions for value engineering alternatives where applicable.

15. Project Scope

Here's how estimators use project scope:
  • Interacted with Construction Professionals/Architects/Customers to Determine Project Scopes.
  • Partnered with operations in developing project scope.
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List of estimator skills to add to your resume

Estimator skills

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

  • Customer Service
  • Cost Estimates
  • Project Management
  • Repair Process
  • Work Ethic
  • Construction Projects
  • Quantity Take-Offs
  • General Contractors
  • HVAC
  • Plumbing
  • Math
  • CCC
  • CAD
  • Value Engineering
  • Project Scope
  • Roofing
  • Historical Data
  • Purchase Orders
  • Sketch
  • Labor Estimates
  • Cost Effectiveness
  • Customer Satisfaction
  • Repair Estimates
  • Bid Packages
  • Fire Protection
  • Xactimate
  • Strong Analytical
  • Asphalt
  • Material Take-Offs
  • Insurance Adjusters
  • Cost Analysis
  • Construction Drawings
  • Project Specifications
  • Timberline
  • Bid Process
  • Formulate Estimates
  • Structural Steel
  • Labor Costs
  • Bid Proposals
  • RFP
  • Material Costs
  • RFQ
  • CSI
  • Shop Drawings
  • Architectural Drawings
  • RFI
  • Customer Relations

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
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.

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