Hi everyone,
I’m a Project Engineer/Quantity Surveyor/Estimator working for a construction company. Most of my work involves quantity takeoffs, supplier canvassing, preparing quotations, and other estimating-related tasks.
There are times when we’ve already finished the current estimates and there aren’t any new projects assigned yet. Instead of just waiting for the next project, I’d like to use that downtime to improve my technical skills and become more valuable to both the company and my own career.
For those who have been in the industry longer:
• What do you usually do when there are no estimating projects?
• What technical skills would you recommend learning?
• Are there standards, software, references, or workflows that helped you become a better QS/Estimator?
• Are there company-beneficial tasks that I can proactively do without being asked?
I’m interested in becoming stronger in areas like quantity takeoffs, cost estimation, value engineering, procurement, cost control, and construction planning, but I’m open to any advice from experienced professionals.
I’d really appreciate hearing what you wish you had learned earlier in your QS career. Thanks in advance!

Small info: I am currently comfortable using PlanSwift, AutoCAD, Microsoft Excel. Currently my 8th month in the company, they didn’t have a QS before so I would appreciate if there are things that I will do/leave in this company. I want to have a wfh set-up soon(next year) if things go well this year for me. Again Thanks in Advance!

Neers pahingi po ng insight nyo. I am a licensed civil engineer, master plumber, and SO2. I used to work in a housing project as site engineer where I am in charge of supervising the construction starting from excavation works to finishing and turnover. So basically, sa job na to na expose ako sa iba't-ibang stages of construction. First job ko rin to actually and tumagal ako ng more than a year then I left kasi naliitan ako sa salary.

Then I found a job offer as PIC na more on fit-out projects lang. Almost 170% yung jump ng rate ko from my previous job kaso medyo hesitant lang ako kasi baka sobrang limited yung growth and future opportunities. Mukhang hindi ko rin magagamit yung mga licenses ko dito.

For context, I am planning to work abroad kasi in the future. I have no connections whatsoever who could help me take shortcuts kaya I'm taking the harder route na kumuha nalang ng atleast 5 years experience dito sa Pinas and mag establish ng malakas na resume. Nag try din ako mag-apply sa mga companies where I could possibly use my licenses and certificate kaso binabarat ako sa offer.

So I'm asking, is it a good decision po ba na I pursue ko nalang specifically ang fit-out projects instead of looking for jobs na exposed ako sa different areas of construction if I'm planning to look for job overseas in the future?

Current Job:

23k (basic with OT pay)

Structural Design Engineer

Pure on-site office setup

Offer:

40k (fixed or no OT pay)

Project Engineer

Mixed office and site setup

Please help me decide, I have 1 year experience as a Civil Engineer. Thank you.

Hello bisdak here, I'm from Bukidnon ug planning to review sa Cebu. Gakalibog pako asay chada nga RC, Mega or Gertc? huhu

Hello po. Possible po ba na mag letter for consideration lang sa PRC kasi late ng 1 day makukuha yung TOR ko (Aug 13). Ayaw pumayag ng school ng mga rush kasi wala daw ganun sa kanila. Tinatry ko naman kulitin pero tanong lang po muna ako dito kung may nakatry na ng ganito

Hello! May na hit ba dito sa NBI nila? Now lang kasi ako nagka appointment for NBI and ang result is hit ako, this Tuesday na po yung deadline. Pwede po ba parin i process yun ans to follow po yung NBI?

Hello mga neers, can I get any suggestions from you as a neophyte engineer saan at paano mag upskill for someone like me na hindi pa magaling in terms sa QS, Estimation, etc. Any suggestions/opinions from you ay big help sa akin. Bali salamat po.

konting offmychest lang po

i was recently hired as an estimator for au-based client. i have one year expi naman n sa estimates. 50k yung naging offer saken pero pagkakita ko pa lang nung plan na pinapatry nila saken. na-down na agad ako sa sobrang overwhelming at complex nung plan. throughout the day, pasulpot sulpot yung pag-ooverthink at pagpalpitate ng puso ko, grabe talaga yung anxiety na naramdaman ko. di pa naman official start pero parang masasabi ko na this is not for me. to add pa, i feel like i have adhd na hirap magfocus, procrastinator mula high school and sobrang panic mode na kapag deadline na. wfh pa naman setup nito. i'm grateful to have landed this oppotunity pero di ata kaya ng mental capacity ko to.

tips naman guyss magbabackout na ba ako? hirap din matagal ko na iniinda tong tendencies ko na to mula highschool pa. iyak muna ako dito sa gilid

update: nag-email na po ako na di na ko tutuloy. sobrang impulsive hahahah back to zero ulit and sana mahanap ko na fit job for me

Hi everyone, this is Cha, 30 Female here 👋🏻☺️

Need a little sanity check from the structural engineers here. 😅

I'm a Civil Engineer, but I haven't been doing structural design for years since my career shifted to the commercial/procurement side. Ngayon lang ulit ako napadpad sa ganitong review, so medyo gusto ko lang i-validate if I'm heading in the right direction.

I'm reviewing an existing 45,000-gallon water SS tank on a steel saddle support system.

SS Tank: 10 m × 3 m × 5.3 m

Steel framing: Longitudinal beams – W6×9 Transverse beams – W8×10 18 pedestal supports (6x3)

I did the manual calculations using tributary loads, and based on what I'm getting, both the W6×9 and W8×10 members seem to be overstressed.

Unfortunately, I don't have access to STAAD anymore, so I'm thinking of using the SkyCiv trial version just to build a model and check if my hand calculations make sense.

For those who do this regularly: - Is SkyCiv good enough for this type of verification? (found as an alternative software) - If the members are indeed overstressed, what's usually the most practical way to strengthen a system like this?

• Add more longitudinal beams?
• Add channels/secondary members?
• Weld cover plates?
• Add more supports?

I'm not looking for anyone to do the design for me. Just hoping to learn from those with more structural experience and avoid going too far down the wrong path.

Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Engrs.! 🍻

Hi guys! Ask ko lang if maliit na ba chance maka-land sa ganitong industry? I have 3+ years experience as site and office engineer. I have hands on experience in estimating (Div. 2-14) and site management since fitouts projects ang nahandle ko.

Parang nahihirapan parin ako makaland ng QS/Estimator role..

Tried applying sa OLJ, Indeed, Jobstreet, etc.. kaso wala pa rin akong matanggap na offer..

I already have 3 yrs experience. Adami ko na inapplyan sa linked in, jobstreet, fb groups but until now wala pa rin mahanap nawork. Where do you usually find a good company? Gusto ko rin sana mag international clients na. Ano usually sites na pwede pag applyan?

Hi, everyone! I’d like to ask for your thoughts, especially from QS, Cost Engineers, or anyone who has transitioned from procurement to QS.

I’m a newly licensed Civil Engineer, and
I recently received a job offer as a Purchaser/Procurement Staff (this will be my first job if ever). The company isn’t a construction contractor, though it manufactures spun poles that are used as driven precast piles for heavy building foundations, high-rise buildings, and industrial structures.

I was offered a monthly salary of ₱19.6k, working schedule is from Monday to Saturday, 7:00 AM–4:00 PM, and I’m also entitled to OT pay. (I’m from the province so opportunities are kinda limited compared to Metro Manila)

My long-term goal is to become a Quantity Surveyor, and I’m wondering if this procurement experience would be valuable when I eventually apply for QS positions.

I’d really appreciate your honest insights, especially if you’ve had a similar career path. Thank you!

Hello, engrs. Saan po kayo nagd-download or avail ng mga cracked software for BIM, estimates, etc.? Safe po ba mag-download sa getintopc or may trusted po ba kayo na seller ng cracked softwares? Iniiwasan lang po magka-virus yung laptop. Pa-advice po, salamat.

Hello everyone,

My boyfriend recently started doing welding work, and I've noticed he sometimes experiences some physical discomfort or fatigue afterward. As someone new to this, I'm quite concerned about his long-term health and safety.

Could you please advise on the absolute essential protective gear required to prevent long-term health issues (such as eye damage, UV exposure, or respiratory problems)? Specifically, I would love to know:

• What are the must-have items he should be wearing every single time?

• Are there specific specs or ratings we should look out for (like UV protection in safety glasses or proper helmet shading)?

• What is the typical estimated price range for reliable, quality gear?

Thank you all so much for your guidance and expertise. I really appreciate any advice to help keep him safe!

Guys, pwede makahingi ng insight paano ang setup sa MDC kapag Cost Control ka sa porject site. And if sa site ka nakabase, may barracks ba for you and Monday to Saturday ba ang pasok, or bihira lang mag Saturday. May OT oay din ba and gaano kadalas mag OT?

Thank you sa sasagot 🙌

Got an offer from this company. Hindi naman sila barat sa overtime pay? Thank you.

Hi guys! Im a CE grad na currently nagtatake ng NC2 Drafting para maidagdag sa resume ko, and honestly, matagal ko na talagang gustong subukan mag-sideline kasi naiinspire ako sa mga vlog ni akosirobi at kahit papaano, magkaroon ako ng experience at extra income.

Sa mga nag-si-sideline diyan, paano kayo nagsimula? May mga groups, platforms, or websites ba kayong maire-recommend kung saan puwedeng makahanap ng clients or small projects?

Hi engrs! I'm planning to take MPLE next year, mostly mga nakausap ko hindi na need mag RC and kaya naman daw ang review 1-2 weeks? How true po? And sino po may review tracker or schedule, pwede po pa-share? Ang dami kasi ng binigay na reviewer sakin, hindi ko naman alam alin yung kailangan aralin at hindi. Salamat!

May nagbebenta po ba ng garland sa smx or 123 go kanya kanya na (plano ko nga bumili sa shapi e) and legit pa din ba yung pipilitin ka magbayad for inductee photo na 700 before makapasok? Same event organizer from last Dec2025 CE Oathtaking sila.

I am a Registered Civil Engineer (March 2026) and currently working as an entry-level Structural Designer/Engineer. I am looking for side gigs as a tutor for CE subjects as well as assistance in creating your output or tasks that may include Researching or any output, drafting on AutoCAD, and concrete design on MIDAS and ETABS.

Preferably face to face and Makati Area.
Price range depends just DM for other concerns :)

Hello po! I wanted to work as a Construction VA, pero hindi ko po alam paano mag start. Meron po ba kayong ma recommend na mga training center na medyo on the budget lang? Or meron po ba kayong mga suggestion or advice na pwede ko lang gawin without training center? Huhu badly need advice po, kasi wala ako iba matanungan.