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Estimator

Do you want to become a Estimator? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:

Job Description - Print Page

Estimators calculate the final estimated cost of supplying a product so that the price charged covers all costs. They provide the data that enables management and sales staff to set a final price for the product, to make it competitive in the marketplace.

They achieve this by collecting information from reliable sources such as:

• internal records, for the time and cost (including labour charges) of activities in the production line
• internal stock figures and quotations from suppliers, for the cost of raw materials to be used
• transport companies, for hired transport or carriage charges (or internal records if own vehicles are to be used)
• inflation figures and exchange rates from government statistics and banks.

Estimators work 37 to 40 hours a week, plus overtime if required. They are normally based in an office, but may have to visit construction and production sites.

Salaries for estimators range from around £17,500 a year for those starting out, to £40,500 or more for chartered engineer estimators.

Estimators should have:

• strong analytical and mathematical skills
• good communication skills
• computer skills and generally experience in computer-aided design
• an understanding of engineering or architectural drawings and principles.

Employers can range from companies involved in light and heavy engineering, manufacturing, process industries such as oil and chemicals, public utilities like gas, water and power, transport and construction.

Young people can enter through an Advanced Apprenticeship. Entry requirements vary depending on the employer, but are generally four GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3), including maths and science or technology.

However, it is normal to enter this work as an adult, having already gained practical experience in other aspects of the industry, eg in manufacturing, installation, selling or accounts. Employers may train them specifically for estimating jobs.

Trainee estimators should aim to obtain the qualification of EngTech.

Promotion is from junior to senior positions, to project leader, section manager and estimating department manager.

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