How Can I Improve as an Estimator?

I work for a grading contractor and have been given a new role as estimator. It's been about 1 year.

I climbed my way up from being an engineer doing dirt takeoffs for residential projects using Trimble and Carlson Software, creating CF maps, and doing geotech report analysis, etc.

The sector I am estimating in now is smaller scale civil projects that have a mixed bag of earthwork, pipe, and concrete work. My VPS told me this would be a good starting point into estimating.

Reflecting on the past year, I find that my problem is with this new role my lack of experience in the field is a major handicap as I have a hard time knowing what kind of equipment and crews are needed for a project as well as reasonable productions.

I don't want to make a mistake in my bids and I truly want to be a good estimator. But, should I first venture into the field or am I able to overcome these challenges? My company has given me a lot of opportunities to get to this point, but I wan thinking facing the facts, swallowing my pride and moving to a smaller scale company where I can cut my teeth would be a better move in the long run.

Any suggestions or insights would be helpful.

Side question: What are some good books or training courses that would help with construction estimating?

submitted by /u/charleslundgren
[link] [comments]

from Construction https://ift.tt/2KHsTOm
via Handy Rep Ai

Comments

List of Best Construction Companies in Bengaluru

Bangalore city which is now renamed as Bengaluru city is one of the biggest IT hubs in India. Bengaluru city has attracted many top construction companies in India to construct huge IT parks across the Bengaluru city. We have compiled a list of best construction companies in Bengaluru so that job seekers who are looking for civil engineering jobs can directly visit the job page of this top construction companies in Bengaluru and apply to appropriate jobs. Scope of top construction companies in Bengaluru Apart from building big IT parks, these leading construction companies in Bengaluru are also involved in construction of residential apartments in Bengaluru area, flats in Bengaluru city, big retail outlets in Bengaluru, hotels in Bengaluru, malls in Bengaluru, commercial spaces in Bengaluru etc. That is why in addition to big construction companies in Bengaluru, this city has also attracted top Architecture companies in India, best construction contractors in India, top scaffoldin

PHOTOS: The Equipment and Crowds of Bauma 2019 (Part 2)

More than any other trade show on the planet, Bauma, hosted every three years in Munich, Germany, is a walking show. After spending nearly a whole week at this year’s show, I checked my Apple Watch activity stats and found that I averaged nearly 10 miles of walking each day at the show thanks to countless trips up and down the “expressway” that cuts through the Munich convention center’s 18-building layout and in and out of the gargantuan outdoor exhibition area. According to show managers, a record 620,000+ people from more than 200 countries visited this year’s show. Apart from the crowds this was the largest Bauma yet in sheer size with more than 3,700 exhibitors spread across 2.1 million square feet of indoor exhibit space and an additional 4.5 million square feet of outdoor space. Only slightly behind the number of steps my watch logged during the show are the number of images I grabbed with my camera with the goal of giving our readers a feeling of what being at this show is li

Deere dealer West Side Tractor plans $14M HQ in Illinois

A rendering of the future West Side Tractor headquarters in Lisle, Illinois. West Side Tractor is planning a $14 million headquarters in the same town where the family-owned company was founded in 1962. The John Deere construction and forestry equipment dealer has outgrown its 3.5-acre site in Naperville, Illinois, and is renovating two former auto dealerships on 11 acres in Lisle, where the Benck family started its business. The new site will allow the company to double its building space to 75,000 square feet over the current headquarters, once renovations are completed. Located at 3300 Ogden Avenue near Interstates 88 and 355, about 5 miles from the current site, it will not only consist of the corporate headquarters but will offer equipment sales and rentals, parts and service. It will also help bring new life and investment to a site that had closed due to the 2008 recession, the company says. “We’re proud of our roots and are thrilled to be able to reinvigorate this part

Handy Rep Ai

Search This Blog