An estimator, otherwise known as a cost engineer, works out how much it will cost for a company to supply products or services to a client. This allows the company to submit bids to win contracts.

The Work

You could be:

• analysing project plans and specifications
• liaising with clients to find out exactly what they are looking for
• researching best materials and equipment for the job
• obtaining quotes from suppliers for materials required
• working out costs for hiring heavy or specialist equipment
• calculating labour costs
• assessing the level of risk for the project and any associated costs
• preparing and submitting bid documents.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

• where you work
• the size of the company or organisation you work for
• the demand for the job.

Starting salary for a newly trained estimator is around £20,000 to £25,000. With experience this can rise to between £25,000 and £40,000. Highly experienced estimators can earn £45,000 to £60,000 or even more.

Conditions

• You would usually be based in an office.
• You spend time visiting suppliers and clients.
• You have to wear protective clothing, including hard hat, boots and overalls when visiting sites.
• You would normally work 35 to 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday.
• You may have to work some evenings and weekends to meet deadlines.

Getting In

• You usually need a degree, a Higher National Diploma (HND) or a Higher National Certificate (HNC), in a relevant subject. Subjects include quantity surveying, construction management, civil engineering or building surveying.
• Entry requirements vary according to the level of course, but are normally 1-2 Highers for an HNC or HND and 4-5 Highers for a degree.
• You could enter this profession after completing a Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) at SCQF Level7 and several years’ experience in the construction industry.
• Experience using AutoCAD software and experience of BIM (Building Information Modeling) is preferred.
• You need to have a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent to work on sites.
• A full UK driving licence is useful, and may be necessary.

Job Outlook Scotland

Job Outlook Scotland and UK

  Scotland

2018

6889

1.3 %

RISE

2023

6980

  United Kingdom

2018

64065

2.2 %

RISE

2023

65445

LMI data powered by EMSI UK

What Does it Take?

You need to have:

• excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• excellent analytical and numerical skills
• good planning and organisational skills
• good IT skills including experience using AutoCAD.

You need to be:

• self-motivated and able to plan ahead
• able to read and work from technical drawings
• a good team member
• able to work to a deadline.

Training

• Once you have completed your degree you could find employment as a trainee estimator.
• You would train on the job working alongside an experienced estimator.
• You can apply for membership of the Association of Cost Engineers. See their website for details.
• You can gain chartered status after working in the construction industry for several years and follow a route approved by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
• This can be through studying for a degree accredited by RICS followed by supervised practical training (Assessment of Professional Competence).
• Alternatively, if your degree is not RICS accredited, you can do an accredited postgraduate qualification.

Getting On

• Your promotion prospects rise with further professional development and increasing experience.
• After gaining your HNC, HND or degree and some practical experience with an employer, you can go on to register with the Engineering Council as a professional engineer – either Incorporated Engineer (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng).
• For IEng you need to have either a recognised Bachelor’s degree or a recognised HNC or HND plus further study to Bachelor’s degree level.
• For CEng you need to have a recognised Bachelor’s degree with Honours plus a recognised Masters degree (or equivalent), or a recognised integrated Master of Engineering (MEng) degree.
• If you do not have any of the above qualifications, you may still be able to achieve IEng or CEng by other approved routes. You can check these alternative routes with the Engineering Council or with the appropriate professional engineering institution.
• As a member of any of the professional engineering bodies, you have to complete a certain number of hours continuing professional development (CPD) each year.

Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.