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- Help plan projects by costing materials and services and monitoring budgets
- You'll need maths and IT skills and to be an excellent organiser
- Progression routes into project management or quantity surveying
As an estimator you'll work out how much it costs to supply products or services to clients.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Researching materials, equipment, transport and labour costs
- Collecting quotes from materials suppliers and sub-contractors
- Helping plan job timescales
- Assessing the levels of risk on a project
- Analysing company data, exchange rates and prices
- Preparing and submitting quotations and cost summaries for work
- Helping with bids for new contracts and supporting buying activities
- Monitoring the stages of a project to make sure costs are kept in line with forecasts
- In a larger company you may look after just one area, like labour or materials
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
You'll work in an office.
You'll need
This role would be ideal for someone with excellent maths and IT skills, excellent communication and presentation skills, project management skills, and business skills.
There are no set requirements but experience as an administrator, craftsperson, technician or surveying assistant in the same industry will be helpful.
You could do a higher national diploma or degree before looking for work. Relevant subjects include structural engineering, civil engineering, construction or quantity surveying. Courses at this level usually include units on contract tendering, estimating and buying.
You could also start by taking a project controls technician advanced apprenticeship.
Alternatively you could move into estimating work after getting work experience as an administrator, craftsperson, technician or surveying assistant.
You'll need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent to train and work on a construction site.
It may be helpful to apply to join the Association of Cost Engineers for professional development, networking opportunities and industry news.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience, you could become a project team leader, quality assurance inspector or contracts manager. You could also move into a related area, like quantity surveying, supply chain or general management.