What will you do in a construction estimator job? As a construction estimator you will be responsible for calculating quotes and proposals for your employer and making sure that these proposals offer a good return on investment for the company. Construction estimators also negotiate contracts and prepare estimated construction prices based on architect's drawings, the amount of employees needed for the job and also the amount of construction materials required. Construction estimators can be responsible for estimating everything from the cost of construction equipment to how long the project will take to complete. All of these elements will be taken into account to calculate a final estimated figure for the cost of the project. Although much of the job is office based, estimators are required to liaise with architects, clients, surveyors and a whole range of construction staff. Visiting and negotiating with clients, colleagues and other key industry members can help you to accurately forecast construction costs. What qualifications do you need to apply for an estimator vacancy? Most employers look for construction estimators who have degrees in a relevant area which covers estimating skills such as construction management or construction science. During these courses or as a part of post graduate training, you should have the opportunity to gain in depth knowledge of the construction industry including construction materials, costs and procedures. Having a background or post graduate training in maths will also help you with the data analysis side of the job and allow you to make judgements based on the data you collect. Having advanced skills in computer data analysis is also important especially if you have worked with specific estimation software packages. Excellent communication skills are a must as you will interact with many different people at all levels in the industry. What experience do you need to apply for an estimator vacancy? If you have a background in a relevant degree then you should gain some experience from this however estimators receive a lot of training on the job, particularly as each business will have its own specific process for estimating. You will be likely to shadow an experienced estimator on the construction site and in the office and assist them with their work while you enhance your experience and learn new skills. What are the development opportunities available for a construction estimator? Once you have experience in a construction estimator job you could then choose to specialise in a field that you are particularly interested in such as electrical estimating or mechanical estimating. If you want to stay in your existing role then development opportunities usually come in the form of opportunities to work on higher value and more prestigious projects, higher pay levels and progression into a more senior position. Other options include working on a freelance or temporary basis on long or short-term contracts.
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