Cost Estimators

What Does a Cost Estimators Do?

Prepare cost estimates for product manufacturing, construction projects, or services to aid management in bidding on or determining price of product or service. May specialize according to particular service performed or type of product manufactured.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• 1Analyze blueprints and other documentation to prepare time, cost, materials, and labor estimates.
• 2Confer with engineers, architects, owners, contractors, and subcontractors on changes and adjustments to cost estimates.
• 3Collect historical cost data to estimate costs for current or future products.
• 4Assess cost effectiveness of products, projects or services, tracking actual costs relative to bids as the project develops.
• 5Consult with clients, vendors, personnel in other departments, or construction foremen to discuss and formulate estimates and resolve issues.
• 6Establish and maintain tendering process, and conduct negotiations.
• 7Prepare estimates for use in selecting vendors or subcontractors.
• 8Prepare estimates used by management for purposes such as planning, organizing, and scheduling work.

Required Skills

• Reading Comprehension
• Mathematics
• Speaking
• Active Listening
• Critical Thinking
• Writing
• Adobe Acrobat
• Apple AppleWorks
• Assured Software JPP
• Autodesk AutoCAD
• Autodesk Revit
• Choice Job Cost
• Computer aided design and drafting CADD software
• ConEst BidTrac
• ConEst Electrical Formulas
• ConEst Intellibid

Cost Estimators Salary