Chief Estimator Job Description, Key Duties and Responsibilities

Chief Estimator Job Description, Key Duties and Responsibilities

This post provides exhaustive information on the chief estimator job description, to increase your knowledge of what they do.

It presents the key duties, tasks, and responsibilities that commonly make up the chief estimator work description in most organizations.

It also provides the major requirements most recruiters typically ask for when hiring for the chief estimator role, to help you better prepare for the position if you are seeking it.

Please, continue reading to learn more about the chief estimator career:

What Does a Chief Estimator Do?

A chief estimator is responsible for assisting in the completion of construction projects by coming up with cost estimates.

His/her job description entails procuring competitive projects, working in collaboration with subcontractors, and supporting and assisting with the training of other estimating staff; soliciting vital information from key clients or subcontractors and participating in periodic reviews.

In other words, a chief estimator is saddled with the responsibility of compiling estimates of what and how much expenses it will cost to efficiently deliver optimized services or products to a client or potential client.

He/she will carry out this responsibility by working out and making several crucial calculations in order to determine how much a project is likely to cost, and also create or prepare budgets accurately and accordingly.

The role of a chief estimator involves several strategic processes such as assessing material, labor, and equipment that are required, and also analyzing various quotes from different subcontractors and suppliers.

Furthermore, in the process of discharging his/her duties, a chief estimator performs the responsibility of carrying out several important duties which may include working from a bill of quantities (the document that explains the basics of the work to be done), or just a set of drawings from the client.

He/she is also responsible for providing prices for everything from a one-off scheme to maintenance projects which may be completed over several years.

The chief estimator work description also involves bargaining the best prices that will make the organization win contracts in competitive bidding situations, while also ensuring that contracts can be carried out at profitable rates.

He/she must also ensure that a quality submission is included along with an estimated price when bidding for new work, since the best price is not always necessarily the lowest one, and clients often award contracts based on the quality of the service or product offered, as well as cost.

In addition, an ideal candidate who wants to work in the position of a chief estimator is required to demonstrate certain skills, qualifications, or attributes which may include being an expert in the construction industry.

He/she must have the ability to manage projects efficiently, be detail-oriented, and have sound mathematical knowledge and good numeracy skills.

In terms of academic qualifications, the position of a chief estimator requires an ideal candidate to have acquired a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or in a related discipline.

Several years of proven work experience is also considered vital by some employers.

Chief Estimator Job Description Example/Sample/Template

Chief estimators perform various functions in ensuring the successful completion of construction projects.

The typical duties, tasks, and responsibilities performed by chief estimators are shown in the job description example below:

• Assisting senior staff in several ways so as to ensure that projects are more efficient
• Soliciting for effective ways to boost the accuracy and efficiency of tasks
• Leading and managing a team of estimators who support various project management teams
• Identifying and examining specifications such as sketches, blueprints, sample layouts or material bills, and calculating the cost with the use of labor and material pricing schedules and historical data
• Preparing quantity and cost estimates for several civil work components
• Developing and maintaining good healthy and effective relationships with internal and external clients
• Identifying and evaluating all the technical issues that are related to projects
• Preparing the estimated plan and coordinating estimate development with the project team, including the development of an estimated schedule
• Being present and actively participating in pre-bid meetings and site tours
• Preparing cost reports and presenting results or findings to management, client, vendors, or subcontractors
• Carrying out other duties as assigned or required by management.

Chief Estimator Job Description for Resume

If you have worked before as a chief estimator or are presently working in that role and are writing a resume for a new position, you can effectively describe your professional or job experience by using the sample job description above.

You will need to show in your resume that you have working experience as a chief estimator, which can give a boost to your application if such experience is important to the new position that you are seeking.

The chief estimator duties and responsibilities provided in the above sample job description can assist you in quickly completing the professional experience section of your resume.

Chief Estimator Requirements – Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities for Career Success

If you are seeking to work as a chief estimator, you will be expected to meet certain requirements by most recruiters to prove that you can perform the obligations, purpose, and objectives of the chief estimator role in the organization.

Below are major requirements individuals seeking the chief estimator position may be expected to fulfill to be hired in most organizations:

• Familiarity with all necessary technological tools, which requires a chief estimator to be proficient with all Microsoft Office products such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and so on, with the use of other necessary software
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to disseminate information effectively
• Strong organizational and self-management skills, which equip a chief estimator with the composure and ability to focus and multi-task in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to pay particular attention to detail, good decision-making skills, and the ability to approach and handle problems strategically
• Adequate knowledge of corporate objectives that impact estimation, market strategies, and techniques, and contracts
• A Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or in a related discipline.

Conclusion

If you are a recruiter or HR manager needing to hire for the chief estimator role in your organization, you will need to post a detailed description of the position to attract the best qualified candidates to your company.

You can quickly make the perfect description of the chief estimator position for your organization by applying the job description sample above as a template.

This post is also useful to individuals interested in the chief estimator career to learn about what they do and be able to make the best decisions about their career choice.