What Is An Estimator In Construction?
What Is An Estimator In Construction?
A construction estimator is a professional who is responsible for determining the total cost of a construction project.
They analyze building projects from multiple angles to account for all the needed materials, labor, and equipment.
Estimators create estimates from the ground up by validating the project’s Scope of Work and adjusting costs to account for profit, overhead, and indirect costs.
The duties of a construction estimator may include negotiating with suppliers and subcontractors, preparing estimates for building projects, and providing information on work hours and benefits.
Qualifications for this role may include college qualifications in subjects such as structural engineering, civil engineering or construction, as well as previous experience in the construction industry.
Core skills for an estimator include strong analytical skills and knowledge of building materials and processes.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of cost estimators is projected to grow 6% from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations.
The Canadian Construction Association awards qualified people with Gold Seal Certificates for several construction-related roles including that of a Construction Estimator.
What Are The Types Of Estimators In Construction?
There are five main types of construction cost estimates: preliminary, detailed, quantity, bid, and control.
Preliminary estimates are used early in the planning stages to agree on an anticipated cost of the project at bid award.
Intermediate estimates are employed at various stages of project design development to maintain accountability for initial costs.
Area & Volume Estimating requires the assumption of an approximate gross area for the proposed work and a sufficient historical record of similar building types.
Assembly & System Estimating involves estimating the cost of individual components that make up a system or assembly.
Unit Price & Schedule Estimating is based on unit prices and labor rates from previous projects.
There are three main types of construction estimator jobs spread across different disciplines and training backgrounds: civil engineering estimator, electrical or mechanical estimator, and building or structural estimator.
Civil engineering estimators are primarily concerned with groundworks, concrete foundations, piling and drainage.
Electrical estimators work mainly in the building sector and are required to deal with domestic and commercial electrical installations.
Mechanical estimators often referred to as mechanical engineers specialize in HVAC systems, plumbing systems, fire protection systems, etc.
Building or structural estimators work throughout the domestic, commercial and industrial building sectors.
Software can help create accurate estimates more quickly by automating calculations such as material takeoffs from plans or drawings.
It can also help track changes in scope during a project’s lifecycle to ensure that budgets remain accurate throughout the process.
What Is A Construction Estimator Software?
Construction estimator software is a software solution that helps estimators, contractors, and other construction professionals calculate total costs, materials, and labor for construction projects.
It typically includes features such as mobile apps, tracking for projects, pre-populated databases with cost data, centralized data storage, budget analysis tools, and integration with accounting software.
The 10 Best Construction Estimating Software of 2023 include ProEst Estimating Software, STACK Estimating Software, McCormick Electrical Estimating Software, B2W Estimate Software for Heavy Civil Construction Estimating and Bidding, Estimating Link Software for Heavy Civil Construction Estimating and Bidding, Premier Construction Software for General Contractors and Land Developers, HCSS HeavyBid Estimating and Bidding Software.
Buildxact US is also a popular choice due to its easy-to-use interface and features such as on-screen takeoffs and detailed cost estimates that display custom material and labor line items.
When selecting construction estimating software it is important to look for features such as a mobile app; tracking for your projects; task management; project management; document management; drawing management; budget analysis tools; integration with accounting software; pre-populated databases with cost data; centralized data storage.
What Does A Cost Estimator Do?
A Construction Cost Estimator is responsible for preparing estimates for buildings, roads, and other construction projects.
They collect and analyze data to assess the time, money, materials, and labor required to manufacture a product, construct a building, or provide a service.
Construction Cost Estimators typically need a bachelor’s degree in an industry-related field such as construction management or engineering.
They may also receive on-the-job training in cost estimation techniques and software as well as industry-specific software such as building information modeling (BIM).
The job responsibilities of a Construction Cost Estimator include collaborating with engineers, contractors, and architects; consulting with industry experts to discuss cost estimates; identifying and quantifying all cost factors involved in the project; using computer software to calculate cost estimates; preparing and presenting cost reports for clients; qualifying and leveling subcontractors’ proposals according to project specifics; itemizing trade specific scopes and preparing bid packages.
The projected number of new jobs for Construction Cost Estimators is expected to grow due to growth in the construction industry.
Jobs of Cost Estimators working in construction are expected to increase particularly in the specialty trade contractors industries.
