Estimator

As an estimator you'll draw up assessments of how much it will cost to provide products or services for construction work

It's your job to consider all pertinent information about each building project and decide how much it would cost to meet the client's needs. You then need to bid for the work alongside competitors. Quality is also considered alongside the price, so the winning bid isn't always the cheapest one. As an estimator, as well as submitting budgetary costs and analysis, you may also need to submit a quality report too, which you may have helped to write.

Estimators are sometimes called construction estimators, cost planners or cost engineers. You might work in a variety of different firms depending upon your area of expertise or interest. Industries hiring estimators include construction, engineering, manufacturing and any area of business that is expanding and undertaking building work.

As an estimator, you could be estimating on projects as varied as a school, road, bridge, shopping centre, residential area or sewage works. You might be involved in small, one-off projects, or larger, long-term projects which may run over many years.

Responsibilities

As an estimator, you'll typically need to:

• oversee projects to ensure costs remain in line with forecasts
• provide recommendations for reducing costs
• compile bids for work
• calculate the cost of materials, transport, labour and equipment hire
• obtain quotes for all predicted requirements from sub-contractors and suppliers
• set appropriate costs for labour
• collate detailed price lists of everything needed on each construction project and produce a cost summary
• clarify the client's needs and expectations
• read blueprints and take measurements
• make use of relevant computer software such as Excel, Word and Autodesk DWG TrueView
• assess and adhere to all risk assessments and health and safety requirements
• keep up to date with inflation, exchange rates and projected timescale costs
• stay up to date with the latest construction technology
• make visits to proposed construction sites
• liaise with others including construction managers, planners and design teams
• present bids to clients and answer their questions
• complete work quality submissions
• prepare and submit quotations for work.

Salary

• Starting salaries for newly trained estimators are around £22,000.
• Experienced estimators can earn between £31,000 and £53,000.
• Senior, chartered or master estimators can expect salaries of around £60,000 reaching up to £80,000.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Typically, you'll work office hours Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, on average working between 37 to 40 hours per week. But, as bid submission deadlines loom, some late nights can be expected. Site and client visits are expected as part of the role but the need to stay away overnight is rare.

What to expect

• Estimating, and the construction industry overall, is a predominantly male profession. Companies are working hard to address this, such as Willmott Dixon which has a target of achieving gender parity in its workforce by 2030. There are also organisations such as Women into Construction which promotes gender equality and supports women who want to enter the industry as well as helping employers to recruit increasing numbers of women.
• The bids you submit won't always be successful. So, although there is an air of celebration when they are, you'll also need to be prepared and be able to bounce back when they aren't.
• You'll work closely with project managers, quality assurance managers, architects and trades people so excellent communication is a part of the role.
• Although time is spent visiting clients and sites, the majority of your work will take place at your desk. This will involve researching materials, liaising with suppliers and bidding for work. When undertaking site visits, you'll be required to wear protective clothing.
• Some site or contract managers may expect those working on their construction site to hold a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card. The CSCS website will tell you more about what this is and how to apply. 

Qualifications

Although it's not necessary for you to have any formal educational qualifications to enter this career, GCSEs or equivalent at grades 9-4 (A*-C) in science, IT, technology, English and maths are useful.

You could also study for an NVQ level 3, HNC, HND or degree in subject areas such as:

• construction management 
• quantity surveying 
• building surveying
• structural engineering 
• civil engineering.

Another popular route into this industry is through an apprenticeship with a building or engineering firm. Go Construct and Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) contain a lot of useful information about the different apprenticeships available in construction and how to apply.

Skills

You'll need to be: 

• highly proficient in numeracy
• good at negotiating
• able to undertake project management
• a good leader if managing a team in a more senior role
• detail orientated when reading blueprints and paying attention to costs and materials
• proficient at time management and able to work under pressure and to deadlines
• commercially aware of the construction industry
• excellent at problem solving
• analytically minded, including having the ability to undertake financial analysis
• a team player
• confident to deliver presentations
• organised and methodical
• highly adaptable so not to slow progress when problems need to be solved quickly
• proficient at using Microsoft Office as well as industry-specific software
• good at record keeping
• an effective communicator both verbally and in writing
• aware of data confidentiality
• assertive and resilient.

Work experience

Work experience is important if you hope to become an estimator. Ideally, employers would like you to have gained experience of managing elements of construction projects and be familiar with the construction industry. Completing a relevant work experience or an industrial placement whilst studying is beneficial.

Getting a job as an administrator, ideally for a firm which also employs estimators, can provide an excellent grounding from which you can progress to become an estimator. You may also move into estimating from a role as a craftsperson, technician or surveying assistant. 

Employers

Estimators tend to be employed within the private sector by contractors or sub-contractors. Some are also employed as consultants. 

The main employers of estimators include: 

• engineering companies 
• consultancy firms 
• infrastructure groups 
• facilities management organisations 
• maintenance companies
• construction and property development companies 
• civil engineering firms 
• rail track construction companies 
• specialist highway services 
• mechanical, engineering and plumbing (MEP) service providers 
• carpentry and joinery sub-contractors 
• architects 
• interior fitters. 

Look for job vacancies at: 

• BDWP.gov
• RICS Recruit
• Careers in Construction (CiC)
• Career Structure 
• The Construction Index 

Professional development

Once you've secured a job as an estimator, your training and professional development will continue. Some employers have their own on-the-job training which they'll expect you to complete, but you may also request or be asked to undertake additional formal training and certifications. This could include: 

• NVQ in Project Control Levels 3 and 4 
• NVQ in Construction Contracting Operations Levels 3 and 4 
• Certificate and Diploma in Site Management Level 4.

The Association of Cost Engineers offers several tiers of membership, culminating with 'fellow' which requires superior responsibility for cost engineering functions for at least six years' duration and membership of the association for at least five years. 

Although not essential, you may wish to consider undertaking postgraduate study. Suitable subjects offered include an MSc in Construction Project and Cost Management, Quantity Surveying or Construction Management.

Career prospects

Estimating is a topic that you'll study if you undertake any of the higher education courses previously mentioned. Despite this, the number of graduates who decide to go into estimating as a career is relatively low. This means that, if you decide to follow this career path, you should be able to do so with a good level of success.

Following the completion of your studies, you'd usually work as an assistant to an estimator or quantity surveyor. You would commonly need to gain at least three years' work experience before being promoted to an estimator position.

Upon gaining a few more years' experience as an estimator, you may decide to apply for promotion as a project team leader, quality assurance inspector or contracts manager. Some estimators also decide to move into related areas such as quantity surveying, supply chain or general management. You may also consider freelance work as a consultant.