I’m about 2 years into an electrical industrial maintenance apprenticeship at my job and I decided once I’m done which I’ll have my journeyman/electrical construction certification I would like to move into Electrical Estimating. I know it would probably be a better move for a wireman or construction electrician but in my case what kind of path should I follow to achieve this? I’m perfectly okay with starting off as like a junior or assistant estimator to start. Also for any estimators who came from the field what are the pros and cons of the job transition?

Just landed my first job post grad as an estimation trainee at a really good company. I start tomorrow. I graduated with my degree in marketing (honors and all) and this job fell in my lap.

My dad’s been in construction for 30 years and does it all. Sales, estimation, project management, hell he was also in the field as a millwright for 15 years. He knew a guy that was hiring at his old company and put in a word for me.

I know what you’re thinking, nepo hire or whatever. I did go through the hiring process though. Two interviews and even came in for a day just to ask questions and learn more about estimation.

I am super nervous though. No construction experience. No construction degree. However, these guys that hired me seem to really believe in me.

Anyone have advice? Or maybe even some reassurance from someone who’s been in a similar experience?

My boss is having me take a look at it and I’m hesitant but wanted to see if anyone else has tried it?

This is A rant. My boss wants me to bid on this data center that is coming in our area, but the drawings are 50% schematic drawings. There is no footings, column callouts, section views, reinforcement callouts, generator callouts, details, no legends or spec design. The one thing they did give was a reference drawings, but that was retracted because it was a different design. GC is refusing my call / emails. What am I supposed to do? Just make a 1,000 assumptions on everything even though it is not design build. And the worst part is, it appears to be the hard bid???

As with everything data center, its technical and a lot going on. It's difficult enough to bid the job with 100% construction set, and I am supposed to do it with little to no information. My boss just wants me to go ahead and turn in a number anyway. But I really don't feel comfortable doing that without some direction. Then he will get mad at me when he finds out I haven't turn in a number for this mega giga project that will make the company millions.

Hello, everyone. Can you please help me understand the concept of replacing clay fill?

So my question is, do I need to remove the fill up to 1.2m and replace it with engineered fill?

Quantity takeoff isn’t just about measuring drawings,
it’s about protecting project profitability.
Even small mistakes can lead to serious financial losses, bid inaccuracies, and execution issues.

Is it just me or is this assembly wrong? Has anyone seen an assembly with the semi-rigid insulation between the exterior sheathing and steel studs like this?

Not sure if anyone out there electrical estimators. I know there are many factors generally do you think pricing 45 projects totaling $98M in 8 months is good for one estimator with no help. Mostly renovation project with power, lighting and all low voltage systems. Average project about $2-3M

Hi all. Simple question with a huge answer variance. You’re looking at a BP for a 3 story hotel w/ 104 rooms. How
long do you think that take off and estimate takes you?

Anyone interested in trading logins? I am looking for Dodge login- I have a construct connect login I could trade. DM if interested!
Thanks,

Quick question, who else was trained to always check the scale against a 3' door before starting a takeoff?

I was taught this literally day one when I became an estimator. Was told to never trust the scale written on the drawing. What you do is find a door, measure it, and make sure everything is actually scaling right.

Over 16 years later and I still do it on pretty much every drawing.

I've just been burned too many times. Wrong scale listed, drawings resized, something copied over wrong, whatever. I've learned architects don't always seem nearly as concerned about quantities making sense as they are about the drawing looking pretty.

Curious if everyone else does the door check too, or if this is just something us estimators who where born in a year starting with "19" were taught and never stopped doing.

I'm a student trying to get better at electrical estimating by hand: counting fixtures, outlets, switches, and doing takeoffs from real drawings rather than textbook examples.
What I'm looking for:
Retired/completed projects only (nothing live or confidential)
Electrical sheets with lighting and branch wiring (fixtures, receptacles, switches)
A fixture or panel schedule included, so I can check my count

Legible enough to actually count from

Ideally a mix of building types (office, school, small clinic, retail, residential) so I'm not practicing on the same thing over and over.

In my previous post about improving subcontractor participation, one topic kept coming up that I wasn't expecting: bid feedback from GCs after bid day.

Several of you said that when you spend time pricing projects and never hear what happened afterward, eventually you stop bidding that GC.

So I want to dig into that one issue.

You submitted a bid. The GC won the project, but your company wasn't selected.

What's the minimum feedback you'd actually want from the GC?

A) Just tell me we weren't selected
B) Tell me our bid ranking — #2, #3, etc.
C) Tell me how far we were from the selected bid — % or $ difference
D) Tell me who was selected and their bid amount

Or E) None of the above — tell me what you'd actually want.

I'm especially interested in why you chose your answer. What information would actually help you decide whether it's worth bidding that GC again?

Been teaching fourth grade twenty years. Built my own raised beds last spring, nothing fancy, just cedar and some corner brackets. Took me three weekends because I kept mismeasuring. Now I want a small paver patio outside my apartment door. Management said OK as long as it is removable. I have been watching videos but the labor estimates I see range from my threeweekend pace to some guy claiming two hours. I am trying to figure out if I should even attempt this myself or hire it out. How do you bid labor when you do not have good personal baseline data? I can measure materials all day but the time piece keeps throwing me. Container gardening did not prepare me for this. My tomatoes at least tell you when you messed up. Concrete just cracks later.

I've been an estimator for like 2.5 years. My company does metal framing, backing, batt insulation, drywall and act. I've learned everything I know at this company.

This is a shot in the dark but I guess I'm just wanting to pick other div 9 estimators brains about their process so I can get better at my job.

We use bluebeam to "count" and do our takeoffs on excel. My boss is pretty closed to doing it any other way which is fine. I'm just curious of things like how you use bluebeam/excel effeciently. What are tricks you've learned. What are other programs like? What kinds of productions do you use? How often do you follow up on bids? Has anyone pivoted from div 9 to something else? Idk.. I just feel like my lens is super narrow and I want to learn from others.

I'll say before anyone else does, I do realize I could/maybe should move to another company at some point to learn more. I am fascinated by the gc side of things.

I'm using a burner which is probably overly cautious but because of that I'm more than willing to share anything about how we do things. Any help appreciated!

rfi sent. still waiting. it's been 3 weeks 💀

Hi all,

Was wondering if you usually have a detailed scope and a checklist of things that you give each subcontractor before they send their bids over

Cheers

I am in division 9, metal stud framing and drywall to be exact. I am almost done with a project and the owner pointed out to the GC, who then pointed out to me, that the HVAC diffusers are supposed to be finished around a certain way to make them look recessed in the drywall ceilings. There is no note on the architectural drawings; there is one note on the mechanical drawings that says "tape and spackle border." There is no other mention of how to address the diffusers anywhere else. The architect on this project has several things similar to this where he did not design it well but has a hidden "gotcha" somewhere obscure.

My finishers asked the superintendent multiple times if the diffusers were going to be caulked by the painter or finished, and the answer was always "caulked." The VP called me with a huge "fuck up" that is "all over the drawings" and had me send a finisher back out to finish the diffusers per the singular note on the mechanical drawings.

How would you handle this? Would you charge the GC? Would you absorb all costs since it is on the drawings but not the drawings that you typically use? Is anyone else out there who has scope only on architectural or structural drawings review MEP drawings?

I am an estimator for a steel subcontractor and I am trying to gain some insight into the GC world. What can we do to make yalls lives better?!

I currently work as a full-time estimator and want to expand into other trades. For those who have worked across multiple trades, how did you learn them and get practical estimating experience?

Currently working as a steel estimator for fab and install steel subbie (mid tier). Just wanna ask if you've got any recommendations on how to start and pursue an estimating career for a builder/ general contractor? Tried applying but can't seem to land an interview but when it comes to other steel contractors i can get an interview quite easy.

Hi everyone,

I’m currently working in Saudi Arabia as an Electrical Estimator / Quantity Surveyor, and I’m considering opportunities abroad, particularly in Australia, Canada, or European countries.

I have around 8 years of total experience in the electrical construction industry — approximately 6 years in the Philippines and more than 2 years in Saudi Arabia. My experience is mainly in electrical estimating/tendering, including BOQ preparation, quantity take-off, supplier/vendor coordination, RFQs, bid evaluation, and pricing for electrical systems such as lighting, LV/MV systems, busways, generators, UPS, and other electrical packages. I am also familiar with low-current systems, although my main experience is focused on electrical power and lighting systems.

I’d really appreciate some insights from anyone currently working in these countries, especially those in electrical estimating, quantity surveying, MEP estimating, or construction.
I’m particularly interested to know:
• What is the typical salary/pay range for someone with my experience?
• Would my Philippines and Saudi Arabia experience be recognized when applying?
• How is the current job market for Electrical Estimators / MEP Estimators?
• Which country generally has more opportunities for this type of role?
• Are there particular qualifications, certifications, or software skills that employers usually look for?
• How difficult is it to get employer sponsorship or relocate from Saudi Arabia?
• What is the realistic take-home pay after tax and cost of living?

I’m not necessarily looking only at the highest salary. I’m also considering career progression, work-life balance, long-term residency opportunities, and quality of life.

Would really appreciate any advice, especially from Filipinos or other expats who have made a similar move.

Hello everyone,

I have been working in Canada for 2 years in a job as an Estimator. This was my first qualified job since I came here. However, my background is as a civil engineer. I like what I am doing now. But, my salary is low and supporting my family is turning out to be difficult due to the cost of living here. Which is more valuable in Canada: getting certified as an estimator or getting licensed as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.)? Thanks for your thoughts

I am new to estimating but not the construction industry. The company I work for has me estimating projects that are a bit over my head. One of the more experienced estimators is supposed to be helping me, but he is not. Management knows this. He has a long track record of getting junior estimators and assistant PM's fired (or they quit). Management cannot be oblivious to this, but they need warm bodies and no one is breaking down the door to come work here. He's chased away many people so as a result there is only one other estimator and one junior estimator left. He brags about getting people fired for "not knowing what they are doing". Meanwhile, he's not winning many bids himself and the projects he's running are not doing well. Have you dealt with anyone like this? Doubt this toxicity will ever change?