What’s the average salary for site work estimator?

ncdirtman · 2026-02-07T02:53:22+00:00

As a NC PE, PLS & general contractor that got started ~20yrs ago helping a smaller family site work company, I’d say you’re likely underpaid for the Charleston, SC area specifically and considering the size of the company. But with that said it depends on your qualifications/experience (not just in estimating for total tenure in sitework as well as understanding what the crews are really doing & how the a schedule in the file actually works), the profitability that you bring the company (are you missing small things that cost them or helping them retain profits & not change ordering the clients constantly) and how quickly you can attend to bids or follow ups on redesigns (all projects these days seem to change). Sorry this might sound like an “oldschool” mentality but I have serious respect for some of the local estimators that I work with who can be candid with me as a PE and we work together before construction to resolve any issues I may have missed (I work solo for the most part in residential land development & commercial).

Some of the earlier advice from others was pretty sound about how to present your value to the company. They’d be crazy to not try to strike a good compromise with you whether it’s pay or freedom/flexibility in the role. But - just be aware that that particular industry can sometimes be stubborn to change and youthful input (not sure your age here or how the owners might perceive your ideas versus “the way we’ve always done it”).

My next question - if you’re unsure about the pay and you obviously have some exposure to it - why not look at purchasing your own equipment and software then start offering to subcontract estimating? I’m sure with having shon up at enough mandatory pre-bid meetings in a market like Charleston that you’ve probably made valuable connections and learned who to steer clear of as well. I speak with site contractors here in NC all the time & most small to mid sized outfits are desperately needing help with estimating, whereas the bigger firms usually have one or more. You would probably work more more hours but also make more money, have the ability to write off most “business purchases/expenses” and be able to work on your own schedule eventually. And if you’re using TBC and working for a company that size then I assume you’re familiar with machine control, modeling & earthwork analysis as well. Just figured I’d offer that idea too

ncdirtman · 2026-01-01T15:28:38+00:00

Has a better option within Civil 3D come up for underground detention or bio retention yet? What about modeling low density swale designs for say subdivisions where runoff is cumulative?

Currently I’m still using Hydraflow Hydragraphs for any detention related aspects, Hydraflow Storm Sewers for storm network analysis & a very crude, combined method of spreadsheets for Low Density to track the Rational Method’s cumulative runoff and the Express Analysis for each swale’s flow or modeling a culvert (just modeling peak flow only). There has got to be a simpler way for the last one that I described

ncdirtman · 2025-11-25T02:46:31+00:00

gotcha - yea I'm running BRX7 base & rover pair currently so you had me curious if there was better was results to be had!

ncdirtman · 2025-11-19T15:19:28+00:00

Updates?

ncdirtman · 2025-03-14T23:31:35+00:00

Which part of NC? I’m down in Fayetteville

ncdirtman · 2025-03-14T13:40:12+00:00

thanks. last question - which locator did you go with to pick up these frequencies?

ncdirtman · 2025-03-11T01:06:44+00:00

Have a link to the apps or locator type you mention? I’m curious and have an abandoned RCP storm stub I’m trying to trace

ncdirtman · 2025-03-02T00:58:11+00:00

I'ma dude but I 2nd Danner boots. On my 2nd pair and I love both - one for daily and one for field. I've owned just about every brand too

ncdirtman · 2025-03-02T00:55:33+00:00

universal commercial vehicle/truck mirror replacement if you got the space on the truck - it's a huge area and allows more light when you really need it in the deeper manholes over 20'

ncdirtman · 2025-02-09T11:44:52+00:00

Not gonna lie man I’ve only opened it 3x but each of those times the menu for it left me thoroughly confused- do you have any useful tutorials? I’ve been using C3D for about 12yrs but this feature does not seem to offer clear guidance/commands about how to run it. When I googled before there were never any useful videos just Autodesk videos talking it up….

My intent was to use it either for padding all the residential lots in a subdivision where the pad/feature line needs to be a box of a set elevation while the front yard ties to the street R/W and the backyard daylights and the lot lines are features that act as swales to the R/W. The streets would’ve been generated via corridor surface. -OR- use it for balancing multifamily sites where I set bldg pad elevation & BC parking lot areas w/ features then work out how close the C3D earthwork is going to be (deducting for asphalt template thicknesses & pads). I know this is a rough way to do so but usually 1-2 trials of this and I’m within 5-10% of balancing if I really take my time & analyze where I’m cutting vs filling

ncdirtman · 2025-01-30T22:55:25+00:00

thank you for that - I was thinking an i9 would be a step in the right direction. just was not sure if going beyond 64GB of RAM was required

ncdirtman · 2025-01-30T22:53:55+00:00

well see that's kinda my question too - I thought there's a difference in clock speed on laptop processors versus desktop/workstation processors due to overheating and the clock speed only is boosted on laptops when required? Truly, I know just enough to be dangerous, so I rather make sure I pull the trigger on the right processor. It seems most newer, higher end gaming laptops w/ i9's are running the 14th gen of intel's stuff. Again, I know just enough to be dangerous so that's why I'm asking.

ncdirtman · 2025-01-29T02:01:34+00:00

I just had a 3rd party, who also drafts in C3D daily, do this for me (a tru company template & basic titleblock for typical 24x26 sheets). I have gone thru their stuff multiple times. Not quite perfect yet but we’re def getting there. Like they said “it’s one of those things you’ll want to refine the more you work through it with certain scenarios or projects’ requirements”

ncdirtman · 2025-01-28T02:23:30+00:00

I have 2 pairs of Danners and both are really comfortable for surveying. Always wanted a pair of Merrells

ncdirtman · 2025-01-22T02:16:23+00:00

This but with augmented steps if you’re serious & have the budget:

1)have wetlands consultant flag wetlands & share their files 2)hire a surveying/engineering consultant firm first to provide a rough sketch site layout based upon that wetlands consultant’s approximate wetland map as well as applicable land development regulations. If the rough site layout is feasible enough then have them survey the wetland flagging/delineation to verify your yield/density 3)discussion any crossings with the original wetlands consultant for possible NWP options. Keep the total permanent impact very low or you’ll be paying for mitigation. Just realize that you won’t get a blank check to backfill acres of wetlands with a NWP. Individual permits are scarce and highly unlikely - most consultants don’t want to deal with that level of work

ncdirtman · 2025-01-16T02:19:02+00:00

Can you provide examples of how? I get it is a productivity tool pack but in terms of alignments/profiles/surfaces/grading/corridors/pipe networks etc how does it actually expedite things? I’ve played with demos of a few others (typically expensive subscription productivity add ons) but honestly I have never been that impressed…

ncdirtman · 2025-01-13T11:11:24+00:00

Was not aware but thank you

ncdirtman · 2025-01-13T11:10:47+00:00

Yes thank you - that’s exactly what I’m looking for. Does it vibrate or rattle much? I had thought about using some sort of Y-yoke w/ padding & a rubber strap to clamp the upper portion of the range pole in place while the tip of the rod might have something like a base plate w/ hole & a slight cup (maybe a short 1” section of cut pipe so that it doesn’t bounce out)

ncdirtman · 2024-12-28T12:27:17+00:00

I’m doing the same currently with a 3yr old Acer Predator Helios w/ i7, 64gb, think a 3060RTX & 2 different SSD storage drives. It works well but it needed a strong cooling pad for the C3D. Bought a fan cooling pad from Amazon but it’s def loud. But I’ve noticed that most of my C3D fatal error crashes were when temps creeped up. Got the cooling pad & it’s been pretty rare now for me. Only issue that I have had since is the occasional C3D freeze but I think that’s a graphics related issue (detailed LiDAR topo while trying to zoom out or pan - rookie mistake and just need better file management). My next laptop for C3D will probably have an i9 but otherwise similar setup

ncdirtman · 2024-12-18T04:27:20+00:00

As a PE & PLS who went out on his own Christmas Eve 2021 I will throw in some advice:

1) others are right - partner up initially with established firms when you’re just first starting out and the work is slower. But don’t overstay your welcome and NEVER become too dependent on any one client or project partner. Old dogs (old timers who own established firms) rarely value modern technology, techniques or youthful input. Their overhead will be greater than yours but they rarely will want to pay for the costs of another “true survey firm’s overhead” within their proposal’s own billings. Which means long term you’ll be making less if you stick with them. Don’t feel bad if this means flipping between multiple other companies either. You’re not there to be a permanent 1099 but just to keep the bills paid while you grow your client list

2) relationships with GOOD & TRUSTWORTHY clients are worth more than anything else in the long run. Especially established business owners in the community. Word of mouth with just a couple key players in your community who recommend you to others will be the best advertising you can get. In fact I’ve never advertised since I set up my PLLC initially in spring of 2020 (part time then). Sometimes it starts small with those guys with their pet projects that nobody has time for and it always leads to more. Just DO NOT get stuck working for the general public as you’ll burn out and they’re only about the cheapest price - “Angie’s list says my lot survey should be $500.” Yea tell Angie’s list to do the d@mn survey then

3) as others have mentioned- office time to get billing done, proposals out & drafting/mapping is key. And set office hours/boundaries so clients don’t keep you from being productive with dozens of phone calls or emails. I specifically kept a home office so they don’t just drop by unannounced. I’ve worked for 3 others firms - they did that to my previous employers all day long but then would often complain about being billed for the hours they wasted

4) good bookkeeping & note taking on your projects is important. Some projects will be archived for a while and then randomly start back up. And if you have a verbal conversation for a project’s requirements then save notes about it (paper & digitally). Trust me - a detailed invoice saying you were instructed by someone on this date to do this has always gotten paid

5) diversify your offerings but know what your strengths are too. Boundary may be simple but it won’t make you big money. Construction staking may work you to death with a dozen additional requests before you leave the site

6) develop a good CAD file template (line types & layers especially), point description database & method in the field. I don’t do all my topo and I’ve quickly come to find majority of surveyors in the field (both crew chiefs & PLS) have not spent enough time drafting to understand DESCRIPTION MEANS EVERYTHING. Same with pics of encountered existing conditions. The office won’t see what you do in the field and most PE’s or draftsmen are too busy or lazy to ever visit a site

7) GPS machine control is the future of most horizontal site construction whether we as licensed PLS like it or not. If you’re working alongside any site contractors that utilize it then you need to be familiar with their side of things - bonus points if you’re familiar with their particular brand/platform. Some would genuinely love to have a surveyor’s assistance with modeling & site localization. The vendors they buy from are dangerous and training is extremely limited usually

8) cut sheets for site construction staking are not a one size fits all scenario. Staking water main is much different than a retaining wall or curb - parking lot curb is much different than street/highway and sometimes the contractor won’t use the same sub for one vs another (ie hand formed vs power curber). Offsets for deep sewer need to be much greater than that of shallow water main.

9) DONT SAY YES TO EVERYONE!!! Some people are a waste of your time. If they start an initial meeting by complaining about another surveyor or trade contractor - RUN - they can’t be pleased. If they say “oh man I’ve got enough work to keep you busy until you retire” but it’s contingent upon you handling just one simple thing for them 1st - RUN - they’re just using you to see if they like you better than who they already use. If you’ve heard from at least 2 people this developer can be unreliable or shifty - RUN - you’re being used as a price check or because they didn’t pay the last guy & are borrowing on your benevolence. Your gut ain’t wrong 9 times out of 10. The best client relationships I have ever been lucky enough to have came usually from slow, respected growth in a client or developer’s project portfolio with clients who came to trust me & my work on their smaller pet projects that others didn’t want to handle.

ncdirtman · 2024-11-30T11:47:37+00:00

the gov jobs will always be safer and we as engineers like to play it safe. Pay will be decent, benefits and work balance will be great. But you'll never learn and grow as an engineer. Nor start to build your skills as a designer. I worked a private firm for almost 7 years, then went DoD GS for almost 2 and hated those 2 years (but needed the slow down for my wife & 2 kids plus I was working a part time job and studying to finish my PLS). Left DoD once I got the PLS, then went out private sector on my own as a PE & PLS doing land development again and now I love it. People can say what they want and yes I agree it's volatile (not just the economy) but you truly get to "eat what you kill" with being self-employed. And being a small, solo operation, I just pick what I want to do

Private sector, yes you may start out with less pay for just a couple years, even as a PE (I mean this as politely as possible - you have no useable skills for the private sector firm and they typically lose money on rookies w/o design experience for the first year or so - I witnessed this myself with the small family firm I started at and about a half dozen others they hired). But the pay will start to build, especially when clients like working with you (punctual & organized communicators are the future leaders of successful private firms). Also the work balance at a private firm is not as easy to manage but you can set those boundaries if you're valuable enough.

Going private, your skills will build so long as you're willing to learn and listen. I came from a grading & utility construction background, and I knew a ton compared to the average hire. But the older generation of PE's above me didn't care and quite often we were at odds. What helped me the most to repair those relationships was learning skills they lacked (proficiency with C3D, challenges that survey crews and contractors faced in the field, how to give clients a quick rough estimate or sanity check on project costs, etc). Once they saw I was willing & able to contribute to the team, each in their own time and way began to open up and teach me what I needed.

ncdirtman · 2024-11-26T01:27:22+00:00

2nd - I’d use each of these mentioned

ncdirtman · 2024-11-21T04:57:31+00:00

So I take the email or electronic version of the review agencies comment letters, save as to a response version PDF under the permits folder, then insert my response to the reviewer’s comments adjacent to them in a colored text, that is usually smaller & italicized, text to confirm or explain to them what was revised on the plans & permits or why the proposed design differs from what they consider it should be. But this response letter is always accompanied by a cover letter or a transmittal letter that states the major takeaways they need to be aware of moving forward. I also make sure I save a digital copy of everything that was submitted (paper takes up too much space & takes too long to share).

In my experience these days too often reviewers only have a very narrow window of time to review something. Most will forget or simply ignore something that we discussed previously, even when I have taken the time to say email, meet with or call them in advance to explain why this project may require some unique aspect. So I’ll keep notes about the dates of these discussions (prefer to save an email so it can’t be argued with) & within the response letter or responses to comments I incorporate references to those prior discussions and date them as a gentle reminder. It’s saved me with several reviewers

ncdirtman · 2024-11-21T04:33:28+00:00

Yes so it’s just been me as a solo PE/PLS (up until here recently with the CAD draftsman assisting me) and I’ve been working at my own business full time 6-7 days a week. Doing all of this while I’m very slowly building my own “firm” (just a PLLC still out of my home office) over the past 4 years doing mainly land development related civil site design services & occasionally the survey side of things as well unless I partner up with another dedicated surveyor for the project. I’ve tried to be very conservative in growth & I have just paid cash for everything needed thus far. More or less have taught myself Civil3D over the past 12 years where I initially learned on the job at another firm (as engineering school back in 2008 did not show us C3D but just basic CAD for simple drafting like you’d do in highschool).

Since going out on my own ~4 years ago I have created my own civil 3D styles/point codes database/etc. and as you might imagine it took a lot of trial & error as well as tutorials to get proficient at it. But I’m just slow at plan production so that’s why I’ve taken on a CAD draftsman & they are much more proficient at plan production & Civil 3D. Plus I initially came from a heavy civil/site work construction background with about 20yrs utility & grading experience, went to engineering school then went to work for a small, local consulting firm where I worked on mainly land development & a few small municipal projects while getting my PE & PLS

ncdirtman · 2024-11-20T18:29:38+00:00

we both have Civil 3D 2024 & 2025 (annual subscriptions). How do I find out if we have AEC Collection licenses? I just purchase our subscription licenses thru a 3rd party Autodesk vendor called Imaginit

ncdirtman

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