Estimating Course
How to Become a Construction Estimator
A construction estimator works out what a job will cost before it is built. The estimator reads the drawings and specifications, measures the work, prices materials and labor, adds overhead and profit, and produces the number the company bids.
The skills
Reading drawings and specifications. Measuring quantities accurately (takeoff). Knowing what materials and labor really cost. Getting and comparing quotes from suppliers and subcontractors. Checking your own work, because one missed item can erase the profit.
Where people start
Many estimators begin in the field as a tradesperson, a foreman or a project engineer, and move to the office because they understand how the work is built. Others start as an assistant to an estimator and learn takeoff first. Either way, practice on real drawings is what builds skill.
A practical way to begin
Learn the process in how to estimate jobs when you start a contracting business, try the free calculators, and follow the PoPs Estimating Course, a very low-cost course in development where you practice on a full drawing set. The course is not accredited.
FAQ
Do I need a degree to be an estimator?
Many estimators learn through field and office experience. Requirements vary by employer, so check with the companies you want to work for.
What should I learn first?
Reading drawings and takeoff, which is measuring the quantities of work.