Construction estimators work to prepare, generate, and submit tender by calculating the exact amount of the overall project. While making the estimates the construction estimator will have to evaluate the cost of raw materials, labor costs, and equipment. Also, estimators need to identify the risk involved and estimation of the timescale to complete the project. Estimators can work with buyers, construction managers, and engineers.
A constructor estimator should be able to provide accurate estimates about the cost of the overall project and a timescale for the completion of the project. A construction estimator should have great mathematical knowledge as well good analytical skills. He should have an ability to understand and interpret blueprints. He should also be ready to work in teams and should have excellent inter-personal skills and the ability to convey the ideas among team members. A construction estimator should also have good knowledge about computers especially with that of spreadsheets, word processors, and software related to this field. He should be able to submit error free tenders on time. The work of a constructor estimator also requires traveling, so he should also be willing to travel most of the time.
As the construction industry is growing tremendously, so is the complexity associated with it. You need to have a four years bachelor's degree in construction management, civil engineering, or architecture. Individuals with a degree in this field tend to have a better understanding of complexity associated with the job and also possess knowledge about construction process.
Mentioned below are the skills which are essential for a construction estimator to possess:
- Excellent mathematic skills
- Excellent analytical skills
- Good communication and inter-personal skills
- Good knowledge of computers
- Ability to work under pressure since there are always deadlines for this kind of job.
- Should possess knowledge about trends in prices, legislation, etc
- He should possess leadership qualities and should be able to motivate team members to achieve the desired objective on time.
- Besides all these skills he should have the ability to look for things, risk identification and good planning is very vital.
In order to avail a decent job in a reputed company or organization you should possess a minimum experience of two to three years. Experience is the key to avail jobs in a better organization.
The main employment in this field comes from bigger construction industries like building oil refineries across seas, larger bridges, public utilities like roads, railway stations, bridges, etc. Bigger organizations have different departments for estimators where you can work as an assistant to the top positions initially. With more experience one can reach a high post and work as a project leader. The job prospect for the construction estimator is very significant as infrastructural development is on a high round the globe.
An average salary which a construction estimator can earn is around $30,000. For a newcomer a basic salary is around $18,000. People with better qualification can earn as high as $70,000. The salary of a construction estimator is basically dependent on the type and size of company they are employed with, their experience, and skills.
Construction estimators are in demand in this materialistic world as more and more civilization is happening all over the world. So people with great insight and good estimation skills are welcomed by the construction companies. So construction estimators are the way to go in this modern world.