Occupation Profile for Cost Estimators

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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.

Signficant Points

  • About 62 percent of cost estimators work in the construction industry, and another 15 percent are employed in manufacturing industries.
  • Voluntary certification can be valuable to cost estimators; some individual employers may require professional certification for employment.
  • Very good employment opportunities are expected.
  • In construction and manufacturing, job prospects should be best for those with industry work experience and a bachelor’s degree in a related field.
 

Tasks

  • Core — Consult with clients, vendors, personnel in other departments or construction foremen to discuss and formulate estimates and resolve issues.
  • Core — Analyze blueprints and other documentation to prepare time, cost, materials, and labor estimates.
  • Core — Confer with engineers, architects, owners, contractors and subcontractors on changes and adjustments to cost estimates.
  • Core — Prepare estimates for use in selecting vendors or subcontractors.
  • Core — Prepare estimates used by management for purposes such as planning, organizing, and scheduling work.

Activities

  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.