Estimator Job Description

What is the job description of an Estimator? What are the duties and responsibilities of an Estimator? What does an Estimator do?

Job description of an Estimator

An Estimator, collects and evaluates a company’s data in order to estimate the costs, resources, and labor needed to produce a service or product. Their duties include performing research, gathering quotations, preparing reports, and monitoring forecast plans.

This Estimator job description example includes the list of most important Estimator duties and responsibilities as shown below. It can be modified to fit the specific Estimator profile you're trying to fill as a recruiter or job seeker.

Estimator Duties and Responsibilities

Estimator job description should contain a variety of functions and roles including:

  • Grasp the scope of projects and their requirements
  • Determine and measure key variables 
  • Perform comparison and risk analysis
  • Build and maintain long-term relationships with key stakeholders
  • Make suggestions for process improvement
  • Do research and summarize information from available resources
  • Perform complex data analysis and provide forecasts
  • Gather and review offers from various subcontractors and vendors

Estimator Requirements / Skills / Qualifications

Estimator job description should include these common skills and qualifications:

  • BA in engineering, accounting or similar relevant field
  • Previous working experience as an estimator for (x) years
  • Professional certification will be considered an advantage
  • In-depth knowledge of financial and project management operations
  • Hands on experience with complex data research and  analysis
  • Team player
  • Good time-management skills
  • Great interpersonal and communication skills 
  • Familiarity with software such as Timberline, HCSS HeavyBid
  • Sense of ownership and pride in your performance and its impact on company’s success
  • Critical thinker and problem-solving skills

As a hiring manager, recruiting an ideal Estimator starts with crafting a good job description. Use this Estimator job description template to save yourself time and help you attract the most qualified candidates. Feel free to revise it to meet your specific needs.

Job seekers interviewing for the role of an Estimator may also reference it in preparation for the interview.