Education · 1 of 5
The path
Two routes: study construction management, or come off the tools into the office.
- 1
High school with strong math
Grade 12
Geometry and algebra are the daily tools. Drafting or shop class helps you read a drawing.
- 2
A construction degree, or a trade
2 to 5 years
An associate or bachelor's in construction management, or three to five years working in a trade so you know what the work really costs.
- 3
Junior estimator
1 to 3 years
Quantity takeoffs, calling subcontractors for quotes, filling in the bid form. You learn the company's numbers.
- 4
Own your own bids
3 to 6 years in
You price whole projects and the company's money rides on it. Mistakes here are expensive and public.
- 5
Chief estimator or preconstruction manager
8 years and up
Running the bid department, deciding which jobs to chase, setting the markup.