Getting Started with Construction Estimating Classes Online
Construction Estimating is the process by which Professional Contractors judge and estimate the cost in terms of labor, resources, and time that any given construction project is going to take. This is an important part of the process, as it is vital for companies looking to win contracts to be able to estimate accurately and efficiently. You don’t want to provide too high an estimate, as you are then likely to be underbid and lose the contract. At the same time, you don’t want to provide too low an estimate and fail to deliver, since this can cost dearly (in terms of money and reputation). Thus, Professional Contractors will want to spend time learning how to make accurate estimates if they hope to build a successful construction enterprise.
Construction Estimators
Construction Estimators (also sometimes referred to as Cost Estimators) are professionals who focus on large-scale Construction Estimating tasks and spend most of their professional time working on contracting and estimating-related job responsibilities. Cost Estimators will also likely specialize in a specific subset of construction or even a specific aspect of the construction process for incredibly large projects.
Construction Project Managers
A Construction Project Manager will have significantly more responsibilities than just making estimates. In many ways, they are the professionals tasked with ensuring that the estimates remain accurate, as they will oversee the supplies and labor components involved in the construction project. They will need a host of other skills training to successfully complete this job, but they are well compensated for their work, since they are essentially an upper-level Management position within the construction industry.
Best Cities for Construction Estimating Professionals
If you are looking for a job in the field of Construction Estimating or as a Construction Project Manager, there are a few places where you are more likely to find high-paying jobs. You will want to look at large cities that have thriving real estate development industries, particularly cities that are in the process of growing and sprawling.
Houston
The first city in this regard that should come to mind is Houston, which is currently one of the nation’s fastest-growing cities and is becoming a central hub for tech, medical, and energy development firms. In addition, because the city is rapidly growing, there is a great deal of residential development happening in the city and the adjoining suburbs. Local builders like Harvey Builders (founded by David E. Harvey Sr. and Gerald Hines) now tackle everything from new corporate offices to healthcare centers and research labs, hospitality projects, retail, government buildings, educational campuses, and even energy sector projects.
New York City
NYC is always going to be a good city to consider when you are looking to break into a new career field, since the city is so large and is an important center for almost every professional industry. Unsurprisingly, NYC has a diverse construction industry, with the biggest construction employers ranging from heavy civil contractors to luxury high-rise builders. Skanska and AECOM Tishman are deeply involved in rebuilding NYC’s infrastructure. The Real Estate/Development industry (Related, Brookfield, SL Green, etc.) also hires Estimators and PMs to oversee their project portfolios. Whether it’s a supertall office tower in Manhattan or a major bridge rehabilitation, these companies rely on skilled Estimators to win bids and seasoned Project Managers to deliver.
Chicago
Sometimes called America’s “third city,” Chicago is constantly undergoing redevelopment and reconstruction projects as the city grows and expands. Chicago is home to some of the largest companies and institutions in the nation, and they are a growing city that aims to bring affordable and desirable housing and infrastructure to individuals and businesses. Thus, if you are interested in a job in the Construction Estimating field, a growing city like Chicago is likely to be a good place to look. Top local companies reflect Chicago’s heritage, including Clayco (a Chicago-based design-build firm, the Midwest’s largest contractor), The Walsh Group (a Chicago-founded heavy contractor known for highways and bridges), and national firms with regional offices like Turner, Gilbane, Lendlease, and Clark Construction. These companies are finding work on marquee projects like high-rise apartments along the Chicago River, landmarks like the Obama Presidential Center, and massive distribution centers that service the Midwest and beyond.
Miami
Miami is one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation in terms of real estate development, particularly the luxury real estate market. Its unique location, climate, and ecosystems make it a very desirable place to build, but also a uniquely difficult place to build. Large companies are thus attentive to the challenges, and they need to hire Professional Estimators and Managers who can help them properly bid on these contracts. Real estate firms like Coastal Construction Group (one of South Florida’s largest contractors), Moss & Associates, and John Moriarty & Associates are very active in Miami’s high-rise and commercial builds. These companies consistently seek Estimators knowledgeable in local issues that require consideration (particularly those related to the city’s coastal building codes) and Project Managers to lead the fast-paced projects that keep Miami’s skyline growing.
Los Angeles
Home to one of the most luxurious real estate markets in the nation, Los Angeles is one of the places to be if you are interested in working in Construction Management, especially as the city prepares to host the 2028 Olympics. This means that, in addition to the usual roster of large-scale housing and transit projects, the city will also be undergoing massive infrastructural renovations to house and facilitate the games. On top of this, the centrality of Hollywood and the entertainment industry provides professionals with unique opportunities to work on construction projects that would otherwise never be undertaken. Prominent companies active in the LA area are a mix of global and local, including Turner Construction (with billions in SoCal projects such as stadiums and high-rises), AECOM, Tutor Perini, and others like Kiewit, Clark Construction, and Morley Builders.