r/estimators

I’m curious what happens in your company/industry once the job has been awarded?

I’ve had it where once I win and get a singed copy, I pass it on to operations and they handle it. But I’ve also had it where after the award, I have to build schedule and do submittals. And then I’ve seen it were I am the winning subcontractor and see these amazing processes that flood my inbox (in a nice way) with names and emails and titles so I know exactly who to ask which questions.

We’re in the process of streamlining it all and I thought I ask here to gain some insight. Anything would be appreciated, thank you!

https://preview.redd.it/i9gd27bpybbh1.jpg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=98efa53dafd3519c6a573ff4ca4117c38caa821e

Hey all — I built a tool that creates instant professional floor estimates on your phone. Drop in room dimensions, pick flooring type, and it spits out a complete quote with labor and material breakdown. Free to try, no signup needed — just the app.

www.instantflooringestimator.com — also on the App Store.

Made it because I kept watching guys burn time quoting jobs with scraps of paper and generic calculators. Not selling anything, just wanted to share. Check it out!

MEP estimator in the southwest. here with a question.
How do you guys estimate excavation labor? I’ve seen a lot of people calculate the excavation quantity in cubic yards, but I don’t really see anyone assigning labor hours per CY like we do with other trades.
Do you estimate it based on production rates, equipment, crew size, or something else?
I’m trying to build my own labor units for things like trenching, grease traps, underground plumbing/electrical, backfill, and compaction. Is there a book or resource that covers this, or is it mostly based on company history?
Just curious how everyone else approaches it.

If you’re a subcontractor estimator and genuinely enjoy the division you’re in, what division do you estimate, and what do you enjoy most about it?
If you’ve made the switch from one division to another, what led you to make the change? Do you have any regrets, or was it the right move? What recommendations would you give to someone who’s thinking about branching out into a different division?

Ive been working/gaining experience for abt 3 yrs in the civil engineering industry as a 3rd year uni student, starting to get genuinely concerned about where AI is heading.

At work, I’m currently working alongside our Contracts/estimating Manager on developing an internal workflow using Claude AI. The aim is for it to eventually produce a full first pass estimate from project documents, as well as generate methodologies, construction sequencing, assumptions, exclusions and risk items. We are weeks away from having it start producing full estimates.

The concerning part is that this is no longer just “AI can help write emails” or “AI can summarise specs.” It is starting to move directly into core estimating tasks.

In my opinion, within the next five years, AI has the potential to completely replace large parts of the estimating role, especially the repetitive and entry-level parts of the job. Things like reviewing documents, building initial BOQs, writing methodologies, drafting scope summaries and preparing tender notes are all tasks that juniors usually learn from, such as myself.

If AI takes over those early-stage tasks, where does that leave entry-level estimators, cadets and engineers trying to learn the trade?

Ive been working in an estimating role for a year but from what I understand all engineers wouldve taken up estimating at some point in their early careers as a foundation. Ai will only take that away.

Thoughts?

I'm new to GC estimating and I've found that some of the subs I've gotten proposals from get annoyed when I give them a list of questions to answer after submission. I mean, I've gotta level and mitigate risk some kind of way.

No, the questions aren't already answered in their proposals. Yes, the questions are relevant and can be costly scope gaps if missed.

I've also gotten feedback that the sub estimators appreciate the fact that someone is actually taking the time to read and understand their proposal.

Sub estimators: what's an approach I can take that doesn't annoy you but still gets the job done?

Hello , Im a subbie estimator in commercial construction we are an established firm who typically tender for the same 7/8 main contractors who are familiar with us and send us the ITT . I’m looking to increase my wins , do you think calling the MC estimators have any substantial effect on if you win or not or do you think it’s all in price / they have already made up their mind and the tender is just for compliance ? My chase email are often ignored or just “ sorry not this time “ rather than any specific feedback on where we are sitting , I would like to call more but feel like I’m pestering them if you work for a main contractor do you mind when subbies chase ?

How is everyone sending the payment schedule?
What do you do if the Gc doesn’t want to sign it ? Or wants go pay less than what we have scheduled for the steps?

advice on how to effectively present our capacity to Tier 1 Contractors. we have tried likedin, phone , email , doors are locked .. how ? we do Bespoke front entry high class metalwork and other packages. help

Strictly commercial mechanical estimator. Any subcontractors have bosses that thinks we should be able to provide a full turnkey estimate? Hitting my wall here with one senior account manager at my company who keeps sending me turnkey bids. I’ve make its dead clear this is not something im A) trained to do OR B) hired to do. Ive now PAINFULLY completed a few of these turnkey bids (WON NOTHING BECAUSE THIS ACCOUNT MANAGER WONT MANAGE) and now he thinks he can keep dumping these on me. Am i wrong here? I really wouldn’t mind if they helped at all. Like im telling you i dont know what to look out for on other trades…

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Hi everyone,

I'm a new civil estimator and I'm struggling with manual grading takeoffs.

No matter what I do, I always seem to end up with grading areas and quantities that are 2–3 times higher than what my boss gets or what the final estimate should be.

I make the grids evenly, trace the perimeter carefully, and double-check my calculations, but my numbers still come out much larger than expected.

For those of you who do grading takeoffs regularly:

- What are the most common mistakes beginners make?

- How do you determine which areas should actually be included in grading?

- Are there certain areas that are commonly excluded that I might be counting by mistake?

- What usually causes someone to end up with quantities that are double or triple the correct amount?

I'm trying to understand where my thought process is going wrong and would really appreciate any advice from experienced estimators or engineers.

Thanks in advance!

Does anybody have any advice on making my resume more attractive?
I am 24 and I have been doing architectural estimating for a multifamily contractor for about 3 years now. I have no degree and no certifications. I only have experience. I don’t think a degree would help at this point, nor do I think can afford it right now. Should I try to gain more certifications or play the waiting game and accrue more experience?

Especially for negotiated work. There is a little bit of a moral grey area per se with giving away the winning number, but what if you know the low guy is gonna bomb? Hasn’t had enough manpower in the past, sloppy work. If it’s a new guy that’s really hungry for the job, what do you say? I think the veteran guys have a bit more say in what feedback they give but as someone who’s fresh out of college I never give any discretion on where their number sits in the market.

I am currently at a firm that specializes in exterior restoration/waterproofing where my role is estimator/project manager. I took the job fresh out of college and have been here for 7 years, but realizing I'm no longer happy.

- We don't have any sort of software

- We don't have set rates for anything except labor

- Everyone seems to price jobs differently

- There is no help if I have questions, they just change my pricing "add $1/sqft just because", etc. with no explanation.

I'm in a bit of a rut because I have alot of freedom and the pay is fine $67k with $4k EOY bonus, phone and gas provided. How hard would it be to switch into another estimator roll? I can quantify takeoffs which we mainly do with site visits or through google earth.

I live in the area known for elevated radon and during home inspection it was confirmed elevated radon levels, I have several estimators lined up in next 2 weeks starting with one tomorrow morning. I just started researching this topic so I am not fully educated yet. What would you suggest to ask estimators to ensure it is good system. I just learned that membrane is usually 6mm and 10mm optional upgrade and even maybe fiber reinforced membrane, fans can be normal AC or EC variable speed and power savings with EC are real advantage what are optional upgrades vs standard basic system. I heard encapsulation for conditioned crawl space is extra. For reference it’s 2 stories house with attached garage 2800sf verbally quotes start in 2100-2300$ for standard package not counting extras. I thought it would be cool if system can be self tuned based on continuous monitoring like if radon high then fan full speed vs if it’s low radon fan slowing down but apparently it is not an option for residential systems, do I need one fan with multiple intake pipes or 2 fans etc. please share your thoughts on this topic and if any extras with doing or it’s money waisted

I've been talking to a recruiter about that kind of job for a commercial real estate firm, but in a newer office of theirs that is growing. They've had PM's in that office doing the estimating but it's gotten to the point where they need someone dedicated.

I come from the sub world, not GC. Specifically solid surfaces and working with millworkers a lot and from what I'm told it's similar to what I currently do in that it's is high volume quoting of a smaller projects 2M or less.

Just curious what it's like from that side if anyone has experience.