Cost Estimators :: Job Description

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Cost Estimators

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Summary Description


	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.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Building Construction Estimator

2.	Building Estimator

3.	Construction Estimator

4.	Construction Job Cost Estimator

5.	Contract Analyst

6.	Cost Analyst

7.	Cost Estimator

8.	Cost Recovery/Investment Recovery Technician

9.	Crating and Moving Estimator

10.	Design Consultant

11.	Electrical Estimator

12.	Environmental Marketing Specialist

13.	Estimator

14.	Estimator Project Manager

15.	Job Cost Estimator

16.	Job Estimator

17.	Operations Manager

18.	Procurement Technician

19.	Production Cost Estimator

20.	Project Estimator

21.	Project Manager

22.	Quantity Surveyor

23.	Sales Engineer

24.	Service Advisor

Job Tasks

	Consult with clients, vendors, personnel in other departments or construction foremen to discuss and formulate estimates and resolve issues. Confer with personnel to coordinate business operations.

	Analyze blueprints and other documentation to prepare time, cost, materials, and labor estimates. Estimate costs of goods or services.

	Prepare estimates for use in selecting vendors or subcontractors. Estimate costs of goods or services.

	Confer with engineers, architects, owners, contractors and subcontractors on changes and adjustments to cost estimates. Confer with others about financial matters.

	Prepare estimates used by management for purposes such as planning, organizing, and scheduling work. Estimate costs of goods or services.

	Prepare cost and expenditure statements and other necessary documentation at regular intervals for the duration of the project. Prepare financial documents.

	Assess cost effectiveness of products, projects or services, tracking actual costs relative to bids as the project develops. Monitor financial indicators. Assess the cost effectiveness of products, projects, or services.

	Set up cost monitoring and reporting systems and procedures. Develop business or financial information systems.

	Conduct special studies to develop and establish standard hour and related cost data or to effect cost reduction. Analyze business or financial data. Estimate costs of goods or services.

	Review material and labor requirements to decide whether it is more cost-effective to produce or purchase components. Estimate costs of goods or services.

	Prepare and maintain a directory of suppliers, contractors and subcontractors. Maintain data in information systems or databases.

	Establish and maintain tendering process, and conduct negotiations. Establish business management methods. Negotiate agreements to resolve disputes.

	Visit site and record information about access, drainage and topography, and availability of services such as water and electricity.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

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.

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.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Staffing Organizational Units — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Cost Estimators
	Cost estimators collect and analyze data in order to estimate the time, money, materials, and labor required to manufacture a product, construct a building, or provide a service. They generally specialize in a particular product or industry.

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Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Cost Estimators
	Cost estimators work mostly in offices, and some estimators also visit construction sites and factory floors. They may sometimes work overtime to meet deadlines.

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