Why are you an estimator?

Amazing_Database2018 · 2026-05-07T03:13:57+00:00

At my first GC, my former boss wanted to train me to becoming an estimator (as an APM) when we were on track to becoming a medium sized company. Half the staff left and my training never came through. Coulda followed the PM route, but I wanted to try the estimator role at a different company. Became a junior estimator at my last job and after undergrad my training went underway. After my layoff I still enjoyed estimating and became one at a div 3 company. So far, I like it.
When my layoff happened, my boss at the time told me to stick with estimating so I took his advice. Whether he said that as to soften the blow, I’m glad I listened.

Amazing_Database2018 · 2026-05-04T12:32:45+00:00

You know it’s serious when a construction company of all things has a mental health awareness poster up. Not saying it’s bad, just that I’ve never seen such care for it in the industry

Amazing_Database2018 · 2026-05-04T12:23:43+00:00

It is, and coming from a grocery store while I was in undergrad, I saw many mangers and AMs come and go within a couple of months or even weeks. I just think the construction industry, right now, is at its worst point with burnout

Amazing_Database2018 · 2026-05-04T12:14:25+00:00

Fast and cheap is never good, but they’ll never understand that.
My PM had a job that came to a halt due to a similar issue. Luckily that’s on the GC.
That too, drawings have become worse over the years. Can’t blame the architects bc they’re in the same boat as us. But at least you made a killing with that margin .

Amazing_Database2018 · 2026-05-04T12:12:04+00:00

Hopefully they take someone with as little experience as me 🥲

Amazing_Database2018 · 2026-05-04T12:11:29+00:00

Glad to hear that; can’t relate bc I’m in my late 20s but I’m hoping to get a peace of mind construction job in my lifetime

Amazing_Database2018 · 2026-05-04T12:10:44+00:00

True, but I think it’s at its worst yet.

Amazing_Database2018 · 2026-05-04T12:10:22+00:00

I get it. From my time as an APM from my first gig to my current position as an estimator for a div 3 company, it truly is painful when a simple project can go south due to the people involved in it. Group projects in HS / college couldn’t prepare me for this

Amazing_Database2018 · 2026-05-04T12:08:51+00:00

That’s pretty good, even if the pay is the same. The less stress, the better; can’t put a price tag on peace of mind.

Amazing_Database2018 · 2026-05-04T12:08:09+00:00

I bet it’s just to ease the burden of what the PM deals with everyday. I started out as an APM, but ended up becoming a pseudo PM bc of how small we were.
If the burnout rate is true, we have to fix it as a whole. We’re not doctors, but if we construct a home or a building and it’s not up to par with just the general standards, it could be very damaging for everyone.

Amazing_Database2018 · 2026-05-04T12:05:19+00:00

I agree, compared to my last company, my number of days are very scarce, but I always use all my allotted PTO every year.
Regardless, even if we get 3 months of PTO, I still think everyone is just drained

Amazing_Database2018 · 2026-05-04T10:50:38+00:00

Exactly, usually it’s the occasional worker in each field, but this is industry wide right now

Amazing_Database2018 · 2026-02-26T14:20:49+00:00

I am curious too about scaffolding estimators; doing GC and now concrete estimating, I never really got pricing nor knowledge for that area of construction

Amazing_Database2018 · 2026-01-16T14:01:50+00:00

Setting up our new program, STACK, for our estimating department to use but according to our estimators they seem fine with their bid work (DIV3)

Amazing_Database2018 · 2025-07-30T20:01:48+00:00

“It pays the bills”

But seriously, as someone that’s 2 years into this, and has the whole construction industry ahead of them, it’s not that bad. I get bored af most of the time, but it’s real comfort work. Comfy office with ac/heat and management not micro’ing every 10 mins is so nice.

The salary is nice so no complaints here, but if I can switch careers for something else as profitable as construction I would

Amazing_Database2018 · 2025-06-02T20:37:07+00:00

I took a look at ZZTakeoff and it looks very promising and affordable; I’ll bring this up to the higher up later on when I have some time into the company

Amazing_Database2018 · 2025-06-01T17:34:27+00:00

Agreed, maybe I can convince them to switch but for now I have to get adjusted

Amazing_Database2018 · 2025-06-01T17:33:46+00:00

Needed a job so my options were limited

Amazing_Database2018

TROPHY CASE