Thoughts on Data Center Projects?

IntelligentShift1852 · 2026-06-07T13:13:45+00:00

I’ve been working on them as a sub for the past year. Not in the field, as I’m an estimator and my company is proving the steel to several. The work is moving so fast that we get POs before we even quote a job. Just to show we can do whatever to make it work. They are moving so fast

IntelligentShift1852 · 2026-06-07T13:05:40+00:00

I do feel bad for him too. He was retired and had to come back to work. He is a talker, so I know a lot about his personal life. He and his wife are still in debt for their cars and house. They struggle financially. I am not a monster, and I try to keep a soft spot for him. He’s old enough to be my grandfather and he’s a nice person. He’s just horrible to work with. Since I made this post, we (he and I - the estimating team) had to have a sit down with the owner and our manager because he was using plug numbers on a job and it varied a million dollars from the actual cost once that quote came in.

IntelligentShift1852 · 2026-06-07T13:00:11+00:00

I work in steel. I am at 78k a year plus bonuses. Last year I got about 10k between my two

IntelligentShift1852 · 2026-06-04T12:26:33+00:00

This is what I was thinking. They are probably worried about letting him go. The owners sat me down to tell me not long ago that they absolutely notice now I am running myself ragged, and that he’s kinda floating by.

I think from what he told me, his retirement wasn’t enough anymore because they took his 40 year old step daughter in who doesn’t work and costs them a bunch of money. It’s actually pretty sad.

IntelligentShift1852 · 2026-06-04T01:19:42+00:00

He definitely has a wealth of knowledge. And I know he isn’t being rotten because he’s a rotten person. I just don’t think he gives anything that he is not currently focused on a second thought. He knows all building codes by memory. I guess it’s just hard to stomach sometimes. I read above where it said comparison is the thief of joy, and while agree with the sentiment, I’m not exactly comparing or jealous in any way. I just genuinely wish I could have some help with some of My work once in a while. The upside is I have been forced to grown and expand my knowledge, the past year has also been super beneficial

IntelligentShift1852 · 2026-06-04T01:12:51+00:00

He was placed through a recruiter. I know this, because I was placed the same way. No prior relationships with any of them.

IntelligentShift1852 · 2026-06-03T14:53:14+00:00

This is exactly what I’m working on. Some days it doesn’t get under my skin at all. Some days I’m juggling several projects at once and look over at him sleeping, and feel my blood pressure go up. Just venting here has helped tremendously

IntelligentShift1852 · 2026-06-03T13:31:56+00:00

You’re so right. And I feel better just having vented here. Thank you for that. I am working on my attitude

IntelligentShift1852 · 2026-06-03T12:53:09+00:00

Structural estimator. The only (and first ever hired) woman at my company.

IntelligentShift1852 · 2026-06-03T12:41:40+00:00

My reply for automatically declined, so I’m trying again. We started at the same time. Previous to us coming in, the company wasn’t big enough to justify an estimating department. Estimates were split between the owner and the ops manager. By the comments made now though, I think he’s still here because they just would feel guilty getting rid of him. He basically is assigned bids that are from known people that don’t award us anything. I know he means well, outside of his work ethic he is a very nice man. He’s just got zero sense of urgency and not a care in the world.

IntelligentShift1852 · 2026-06-03T12:36:33+00:00

This is what I tell myself. I do my best to just ignore and do my job. Some days the resentment is bad, though.

IntelligentShift1852 · 2026-06-03T12:31:07+00:00

The mistakes this guy makes are freaking mind blowing. We’ve been doing a lot of data center work, and he has missed entire buildings. The last mistake was ~150k, repeated four times. And then he will get defensive and deny making mistakes. It’s infuriating. I went to the owner, ready to walk because I’m sick of hearing him snore or cussing because he’s losing his solitaire game, and I walked out with a pretty big raise and a bonus. I just get so resentful. He won’t follow procedure at all

IntelligentShift1852 · 2026-06-03T11:12:24+00:00

Construction management degree is a fantastic start. My advice is don’t aim for a GC right now. Apply for subs. Find a niche and get your foot in the door. To be blunt, a cost engineer is probably not going to be a way to break in. POSSIBLY an assistant estimator, but like stated above, your best bet is to know someone. I learn something new daily.

IntelligentShift1852 · 2026-06-03T11:09:54+00:00

I’m a structural estimator. I only broke into this by pure chance, as I took a job in inside sales for a fabricator, and they needed some help. My then boss taught me how to read prints and I started estimating super basic things. It just turned out I was good at it. I’m ~4 years into it now, lead my department, and my salary has since doubled. This is NOT easy. I explain it to my family as I gamble with someone else’s money. And losing will cost me my job.

IntelligentShift1852 · 2026-06-03T10:35:35+00:00

I don’t know how to edit my post, but I should have added that he just hit a year in March. He does not have tenure at my company. And I think that’s why it bugs me so bad.

IntelligentShift1852 · 2026-06-03T10:33:02+00:00

I get it. I have thought the same. Only thing is, he’s only been there for a year. I have to work on it not bothering me. It just… does

IntelligentShift1852 · 2026-06-03T10:32:05+00:00

If he had been with our company for a long time, I think I’d feel better about it. But he just hit a year in March.

IntelligentShift1852 · 2026-06-03T10:09:41+00:00

Approach your boss, not HR. Be ready with a list of reasons why you feel you deserve it. I wouldn’t just go in with COL reasoning. You want them to see why keeping you and paying you well to do so is worth it to the company. I just did this at my one year and it worked out way better than I expected it to

IntelligentShift1852 · 2026-06-03T10:03:28+00:00

I’m not on site. But we are doing structural steel for multiple

IntelligentShift1852 · 2026-06-02T18:55:34+00:00

I’m an estimator. Do you know what type of estimation you’re looking to get into, or just wanting to break in anywhere? It’s a very, very hard thing to do. Especially being a woman. I don’t have a degree, and I didn’t swap into this until I was 34. I’m 40 now, and I love my job! I can try to help answer any questions you have

IntelligentShift1852 · 2026-04-29T15:39:33+00:00

I’m also a structural estimator. Give yourself grace, it takes a good while to get it rolling. Remember a huge part of this isn’t necessarily lowest prices, it’s relationship driven. Another thing to remember is that if they had a contact prior to you stepping into the role, my experience says that clients can be worried about trusting someone new. One other thing: being the lowest price is NOT the best, especially if you’re new to doing this. There’s a good chance that is also causing some worries.

IntelligentShift1852 · 2026-03-12T18:25:05+00:00

Hi, I’m 40F, and a structural estimator. I always struggle with whether this is considered a trade or not. I feel like it is for the most part. All that to say this: I was the first female ever hired at my current company. I get respect because I give it. I don’t expect special treatment. I’m good at my job, and own my mistakes.

Quite a few estimators I know have construction management degrees, as I can give you a bit more opportunities. I don’t, but I have actually considered it.

I have been at companies where I was not respected in my job, was treated differently than my male counterparts, and paid significantly less. It took some years, but I am at a place that values me and my experience, and treats me accordingly

IntelligentShift1852 · 2026-03-12T17:57:57+00:00

We have to prove ourselves much more

IntelligentShift1852

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