Estimator

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a project team leader, quality assurance inspector or contracts manager.

You could also move into areas like:

• quantity surveying
• supply chain management
• consultancy

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• maths knowledge
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• analytical thinking skills
• knowledge of engineering science and technology
• excellent written communication skills
• knowledge of building and construction
• business management skills
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Mathematics - Estimators use maths constantly – calculating material quantities, labour costs, transport expenses, and overall project budgets. They work with percentages, ratios, and formulas to produce accurate cost summaries and need strong numerical skills to spot errors that could cost a company thousands of pounds.
• Business - Estimators need to understand how businesses operate, including budgeting, procurement, and contract bidding. They prepare quotes, support buying activities, and help their company win new work – all of which requires a solid grasp of business management and financial decision-making.
• Design and Technology - Estimators need to understand construction materials, manufacturing processes, and how things are built in order to accurately price a project. Reading technical drawings and understanding how different components fit together helps them estimate quantities and anticipate potential costs.
• Engineering - Estimators often work on civil and structural engineering projects, so they need to understand engineering principles and construction methods. This knowledge helps them assess what equipment, labour, and materials a project will require and how long each stage will take.

Also relevant

• Economics - Estimators need to understand how supply and demand, inflation, and market conditions affect the price of materials, labour, and equipment. Being aware of economic trends helps them produce forecasts that remain realistic over the life of a project.
• English Language - Estimators write detailed cost reports, contract bids, and project summaries that need to be clear and precise. Strong written communication is essential because their documents are used by senior managers and clients to make major financial decisions.
• Geography - Estimators working on construction projects benefit from understanding land use, terrain, environmental conditions, and transport logistics. These factors all influence project costs – for example, building on a flood plain or in a remote location can significantly increase expenses.
• Environmental Science - Estimators are increasingly asked to calculate the costs and long-term benefits of sustainable building methods and materials. Understanding environmental impact, energy efficiency, and green building standards helps them identify cost-effective ways to meet sustainability targets.