Skip to main content

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

Popular posts from this blog

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...

12 Fast-Growing Shrubs to Plant This Fall

Though spring is traditionally the biggest season for planting, fall is a great time to get in new shrubs. When planted at least a few weeks before the first frost, they have time to get their roots established before winter dormancy, and will be ready to burst forth with foliage and blooms in spring. Check out some of our favorite fast-growing shrubs you should consider planting this fall. from Bob Vila : Trusted Home Renovation & Repair Expert https://ift.tt/2xCFQnv via Handy Rep Ai

Volvo CE unveils ZEUX: How a LEGO model designed with kids became a prototype for a real autonomous wheel loader

The ZEUX autonomous wheel loader concept employs a scout drone and an adjustable, boom-mounted camera called The Eye, to keep track of its surroundings and indicate focus to nearby humans. Of all the major heavy equipment manufacturers, none has been more outwardly committed to bringing futuristic, autonomous and electrified machines to real-world quarries and jobsites than Volvo. For the last few years, Volvo has been publicly sharing updates on the progress of autonomous machine prototypes like its HX2 carrier (a cab-less, self-driving dump truck) and LX1 wheel loader, and electrified prototypes like the EX1 cable-connected excavator. And though Volvo has plans to get the latest versions of those machines working at a real Skanska quarry this fall, the company isn’t letting up on its push for innovation. The manufacturer even found an opportunity to use its partnership with LEGO to inform the design of its future machines. This week, Volvo and Lego, which have partnered on high...