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estimator

Estimators, often known as cost engineers, work for manufacturing, engineering, construction and service companies. They deal with the preparation, processing and submission of tenders for contracts by calculating the costs involved in supplying a product or service that meets the client’s technical specifications.
 
When making estimates they take into account factors such as:
  • material costs
  • specialist equipment and plant hire costs
  • transport costs
  • labour and other overheads including rent, administration, electricity and other services.
Estimators also have to build into their bids:
  • risk identification
  • inflation and exchange rate variables
  • projected timescales
  • allowances to cover contingencies.
Estimators may specialise in one area such as time, labour or transport, and on large projects a team of estimators may be involved.
 
In putting bids together, data is gathered from various sources, including:
  • internal company records
  • stock figures
  • price indices
  • industry journals
  • quotations from suppliers, sub-contractors, and transport and hire companies.
It is commonplace for estimators to make use of specific IT software to compile, process and report on technical and commercial data. Senior estimators are also expected to analyse the effectiveness of software and make recommendations on which application to use for a particular costing project.
 
Estimators work closely with other professionals including quantity surveyors, buyers, construction managers and planning engineers.

Hours and Environment

Estimators work between 37 and 40 hours, Monday to Friday. Overtime may be required when working to tight deadlines.

 
The work is usually office-based but estimators working in construction or engineering may be required to work on-site. In these situations they wear protective clothing.
 
Travel to clients’ premises is often required, so a driving licence is helpful.

Skills and Interests

To work as an estimator you need:

  • strong numerical skills
  • good analytical skills and to be able to pay close attention to detail
  • excellent communication and presentation skills
  • good computer skills
  • good commercial awareness
  • an awareness of data confidentiality
  • the ability to work on your own and as part of a team
  • to be well organised and able to work to deadlines
  • an awareness of external factors such as legislation, trends in prices and exchange rates.

Where appropriate, an understanding of engineering or architectural drawings and principles will be required, as well as detailed knowledge of manufacturing or construction processes and costs.

Entry

Most people enter this role after gaining experience within the same industry as an administrator, craftsperson or technician. Most employers require some GCSEs/S grades including maths and English.

 
See the engineering and construction profiles for details of entry and training requirements for craft and technician levels.
 
You can study for a BTEC HNC/HND or degree in your particular field, for instance engineering, engineering manufacturing or construction, which contain units covering tendering, estimating and procurement. These courses are widely available at colleges and universities throughout the country. Check with them for entry requirements.
 
For information about estimating roles within engineering or construction, see SEMTA and ConstructionSkills in Further Information.

Training

Training will normally carried out on the job. Working as an estimator, you can study on a part-time basis to enhance your existing qualifications. Awards include:

 
NVQ/SVQ in Project Control at levels 3 and 4.
 
Mandatory units for Project Control cover several areas:
  • Developing Objectives and Specifying Functions for Project Control
  • Analysing Project Risks and Managing Contingencies
  • Providing Support to Contract and Procurement Activities
  • Assessing, Evaluating and Estimating Financial Resources.
Depending on role and responsibilities, there are cost engineering and planning options.
 
The Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) has details of the Project Control qualification structure on their website. See Further Information for contact details.
 
There are also NVQ/SVQs at levels 3 and 4 in Construction Contracting and Construction Contracting Operations.
 
The NVQ/SVQ together with several years’ relevant experience can lead to membership of the Association of Cost Engineers (ACostE), which in turn, can lead towards incorporated or charted status. The AcostE website also contains details of private training providers offering a wide range of professional development courses. See AcostE in Further Information.

Cost engineers seeking incorporated or chartered status will be assessed against UK-SPEC (UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence). This replaced SARTOR (Standards And Routes TO Registration) on 1st March 2004. These new standards have been developed by professional bodies, employers and the Engineering Council (UK) reinforcing the need to prove professional competence within the job but also taking wider account of recent developments in UK qualifications, such as foundation degrees and work-based training, to satisfy the academic requirements of registration.

For more information about UK-SPEC see the website in Further Information.

Opportunities

Prospects are good as jobs are available in many sectors: light and heavy engineering manufacturing processing industries, such as oil and chemicals public utilities transport construction. Many larger companies have estimating departments.

Opportunities to progress to project leader, section manager and estimating department manager may become available. With experience and further training, promotion may be possible to more senior roles, such as cost engineer. Larger firms may have positions working on overseas contracts.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Assistant estimators earn between £16,500 and £19,500.
With experience and qualifications, this can rise to between £20,000 and £30,000.
Senior estimators with at least 5 to 10 years' experience and managerial responsibilities can earn around £40,000 a year.

Salary packages may include a company car and other job-related benefits.

Further information

14 Upton Road
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD18 0JT
Tel: 0800 282 167
http://www.semta.org.uk
http://www.uk-spec.org.uk
Blue Court
Church Lane
Kings Langley
Hertfordshire
WD4 8JP
Tel: 01923 260000
NASEC Administration Team: 01923 402155
http://www.ecitb.org.uk
Bircham Newton
King's Lynn
Norfolk
PE31 6RH
Tel: 01485 577577
http://www.cskills.org
Lea House
5 Middlewich Road
Sandbach
Cheshire
CW11 1XL
http://www.acoste.org.uk


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