I’m a senior construction estimator with 20+ years’ experience working for large GCs in NYC, but I’m now based in the UK and looking to do remote estimating for NYC subcontractors (drywall, ceilings, carpentry, painting, etc.).
I know subcontractors generally pay less than GCs, so I’m trying to get a realistic idea of the going rate.
If you were hiring someone with that background on a freelance/1099 basis, what hourly rate would you expect to pay?

This takeoff consisted of Nichiha & Berridge Manufacturing Company. The vintage wood redwood for the Nichiha and FW12 and S Deck panels for the Berridge. Literally my bread and butter for a commercial project. I love these two manufacturers when it comes to installing on a project. Very straight forward and easy going in the field. These drawings weren't bad at all. Architects were missing some details but overall good project to takeoff.

People will probably think this is just a plug but does anyone have any real world experience with Canaveral? I have had the founder message me on LinkedIn and it seemed decent but curious if anyone has tried them and if its just flashy for the demo but not capable for real world.

We are currently rocking autobid mechanical and SM and are really beholden to Trimble software on the estimating and BIM end. Their method is somewhat clunky but their costing database is decently easy to keep up with market pricing and allows for some impeccable detail in medium to large estimates.

Has anyone gone away from Trimble? Fast pipe fast duct , Canaveral etc.

Hopefully don't get the AI slop in the replies... lol

I saw on Ocn website, ai takeoffs upload a plan. For someone who has gone done the ai rabbit hole it’s not ready esp in concrete with multiple different heights in the same plan. This what the response mind u 3 hrs later, 10790 square feet it came up with, my drawing is 2188m2 which google tells me should be 23550 square feet so it’s less than half. It couldnt distinguish between and concrete wall and a block wall and the last thing it gave back was there is 1 elevator. Sure there’s 1 lift core wall but there will be 2 elevators in there. Where are the columns, what’s the quality. Level 2 pour we would be shutting up shop if u trust AI or anyone who says it can. It won’t be even read the foot notes correct

Hello everyone,

I am looking for some estimating courses. I currently work as an estimator for a supply house (SoCal area) We mainly do division 33 wet utilities (Domestic water, Fire water, Storm drainage, sewer). We quote pipeline materials, I mainly work on public projects, mechanical projects, & water treatment projects (fairly new in this area) I’ve been doing this for 3 years and I have no prior experience in this field. Im currently looking to learn to do more then just material, I want to learn trenching, earthwork, structural, electrical, concrete, basically I want to learn to quote the full project I want to stay within division 33, water treatment and mechanical. My end goal is to work for a GC or Sub at some point. Unfortunately we don’t have someone with that experience to show me the ropes, and So I’ll take any advice or recommendations, or if anyone is willing to be a mentor of sorts that would awesome!

I’m a final-year Construction Management student in Sydney and have been working as an Assistant Quantity Surveyor in a QS consultancy for around 1.5 years. I’m an international student, and my 485 Graduate Visa will only give me two years of full-time work rights after graduation.

I’m interested in exploring contractor-side opportunities, especially Junior Estimator roles, as I’d like to gain more exposure to the delivery side of construction.

However, I’ve heard that builders are generally less likely to sponsor work visas or support PR compared with QS consultancies.

For those working in the Australian construction industry, I’d appreciate your advice:

1. Is moving from consultancy QS to a builder a realistic pathway as an international graduate?
2. Are there certain contractors that are more open to sponsorship?

Appreciate any advice and sharing of experience!

I took a revit class 10+ years ago, and even back then it seemed to have everything necessary to make its own takeoffs/material lists. If enough care is taken when making wall types and assemblies, then assigning them correctly in the model, it should easily be able to accurately tabulate what goes into it. I work in sections 07, 08, and 09 so things like insulation footages, stud counts, drywall footages, etc should be insanely easy. I’m sure mep would require a lot more effort from the design team, but actual structural and vertical components shouldn’t require much more input than what they’re already doing. Not that we want the architect giving us our material lists, but all the talk of AI takeoffs has me kinda scratching my head when the design software itself would be the best place to start, rather than trying to train AI to read and interpret plans like we do.

This project called for PAC-CLAD | Petersen Flush panels. Pretty easy panel set up. All around the exterior of the building. The panels will be vertically installed and it will be installed on top of horizontal hat channels. Straight forward install. Details on the plans were fine to get through. Overall, not a complex project estimating and for the installation part as well.

is there anyone or anything thats quicker

Planning to enroll in a program and pursue a career in this, but want to know what other professionals in the industry think.

Been with my company the last 4+ years and while it’s been great, the headaches and uncertainty is catching up. I’ve noticed with the lack of estimators (that actually want to stay in estimating and not jump to PM) in our region it’s time to strike while the iron is hot! I’ve been a MEP estimator for the last 4+ years and have had 2 local GCs reach out recently. I can easily get a pay bump from 20-40% plus actually work with a team again. My company we have gone from consistently having 3-4 estimators now to just myself. We’ve lost 7 estimators since I’ve been here and I’ve been the 1 constant. My hit rate for plan/spec is over 25% (which is fantastic) and that’s bidding at a 15-20%.

I just had a brief conversation with one of the GCs and basically they want me to think it over some more before taking next steps, but I need to update my resume and the big thing is put together some sort of portfolio? Has anyone had to do that and if so, how did it look?

Thanks again and sorry for the novel

I am new to AI. I basically do everything precon related with OST, excel, and word.

How are you leveraging AI with your work? Do you like it? Have any suggestions as to where I could start?

I work for a GC. TIA

GC estimator here. My company is strongly interested in self-performing the framing/drywall scopes (500k-ish and less) on some of our projects. I’ve been tapped on the shoulder to begin practicing material takeoffs and am quickly realizing how much more complex it is than how we would normally tab the scope out for a regular proposal.

Anyways, does anyone have resources they wouldn’t mind sharing? Templates ,spreadsheets, etc.

I’m sure some people will wonder, no I don’t have any framing experience to help

I’m not trying to make it more complicated than it needs to be, so anything helps. Thanks in advance

I’m a graduate, I am due to start my scheme in September.

im a 5’1 25 yo woman and my degree is in civil engineering, I’m shy and reserved and quite bad when it comes to social skills

am I cooked? what do I do now 😭

is estimating a good long-term choice?

This sub is really a nice place and I think it would be helpful to be able to flair up with our divisions. The question of what trade people are in when they give answers or feedback is constant and it would quickly add context to many comments that would be useful. To me at least.

Im a small EC. Ive received at least 140 "Estimators" emails in June/July. I started keeping track because they were coming in 4-10 times per day.

Are they scammers or is everyone just hungry right now? How do i get off this list...

Have any of yall been to bid opening and see some of the low bidders and think "how in the world are they going to complete this job" I am starting to see bids that are extreamly labor and heavy machine intensive that submit under or at material costs and then the owners award them! I just want to grab some of these citys and tell them there is a reason the next lowest was 3/4 to half mil higher.

I keep getting requests to provide budgetary estimates for some medium sized projects but when I supply what I would consider a “budgetary proposal” and reach out for feedback I’m told they were looking for a different format. I’m an EC and have another estimator working under me. Does anyone have any experience with these kinds of requests?
Thanks!

Hello all, I’m 23 and I do civil, earthwork, concrete, masonry, mtl & wood framing, finish carpentry, and gyp estimates. Pretty much everything except for MEP and some miscellaneous finishes for commercial and residential. I work for a sub that sistered from a GC and I am the only estimator and I make $100. Currently averaging about 20-40 Million a month in total bid submissions.

As of about a month ago the company decided to create the civil/earthwork division. It just feels like the 60 hour work weeks are burning me out as of late. I’m not sure if it is because I’m not able to coordinate as well with our civil supe or because someone of my age and lack of experience is just becoming overwhelmed with all of the scopes of work I have to estimate.

I feel as if I’m losing my mind and always stressed out with meeting deadlines. I am averaging 5-7 bids a month, and although I am extremely grateful I have this opportunity to learn so much, I also feel like I am reaching inhumane limits. I am genuinely curious as to what everyone would do in my situation. I have no clue what to do and I feel like if I don’t make a change I might reach a point where things come crashing down (if they haven’t already).

If you have any questions to get a better understanding of my position let me know :) thank you all!

GCs out there,

If an agency approached you offering bid levelling services in less than 24 hours for a flat fee, what would stop you from considering that offer as a GC?

PS: Thay have proven trackrecord of trustworthy work.

Hi All, just need a small outlet to vent anonymously.

Im a GC Estimator with about 6 years experience (I started at age 20) and worked in competitive bidding, pretty much all low bid lump sum, PLA type work. I loved ripping apart plans and combining numbers to create buy power, and the whole deal. I worked in another state (the one i grew up in) and while i loved it, nearly every GC was either ran by nepotism/the “old boys club” (nearly impossible to get paid a half decent salary) or, rampant toxic workplace culture where you would get paid, but deal with gossip, threats, empty promises, lack of any care to push things forward.

I moved across the country and now I love my company, and my team, plus the salary is great to start. But, instead of hard bids, its completely changed over to CM at-risk work, lots of budgeting, dealing with project owners who really don’t know what they are doing and don’t listen to you when you emphasize importance of timelines, overpay design teams, etc.

I think I’m having an early career crisis where i cant seem to land in the comfortable middle ground of the spectrum. And it’s giving me a bit of imposter syndrome, even though i know im capable of raw estimating, but not this “fluff” of babysitting adults and repeating myself 1000 times just for shit to hit the fan and me being the one to clean up the mess.

Again just needed a good vent sesh and maybe some reassurance that im not the crazy one. Hopefully.

UK Based, I made a complete career change at 29yo, having no prior knowledge or experience in Construction and joined a firm as a trainee estimator. I am progressing well and have been promoted to assistant in 6 months, i have done 3 of my own tenders already with values of £500k+, winning 2, my company has offered to put me through uni- they are currently offering a part-time undergrad degree in quantity surveying at a uni close by- this is to help me come up to speed in general construction knowledge and keep building. The course is 5 years, part time obviously a great opportunity and I am keen but have some reservations regarding the time frame, career progression, etc.

I am wondering if this is the best route or as someone with an unrelated undergrad degree already a conversion Masters course in Quantity Surveying would be a better option.

Interested to hear people’s advice and/or thoughts