Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Cost Estimator
What cost estimators actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for a cost estimator?
Review a new bid package. From there, the day usually includes read plans and specs, take off quantities, and price materials and labor. Full time, with crunch times before bid deadlines.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a cost estimator working full time.
- Review a new bid package.
- Take off concrete quantities.
- Call suppliers for pricing.
- Review sub bids.
- Build the labor estimate.
- Meet the project manager.
- Finalize the bid.
Where cost estimators work
Estimators work in contractor offices with some site visits.
Hours and schedule
Full time, with crunch times before bid deadlines.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Read plans and specs
- Take off quantities
- Price materials and labor
- Request subcontractor bids
- Build estimates
- Review risks
- Present bids
Tools you’ll use every day
- Bluebeam
- PlanSwift
- Excel
- Estimating software
- RSMeans data
- Procore
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Good pay
- Office-based construction career
- Path from the trades
- Problem-solving
What’s hard
- Bid deadline pressure
- Lost bids
- Detail-heavy
- Slight decline
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I like numbers
- I read plans well
- I know construction
- I handle deadlines
- I’m detail-oriented
- I want an office construction role
Not sure? Take the free Cost Estimator fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Wear PPE on site visits
- Price safety into bids
- Include site safety requirements
- Follow site rules