7 Reasons Why 2015 Will Be a Great Year for Construction Estimators
In a recent interview in the Nabholz Construction Company newsletter, Doyle Phillips was asked why he felt that construction estimating would be a key occupational role in the coming years. Phillips was pleased to report that the occupational role of construction estimator would grow by 26% from 2012 to 2022.
Doyle Phillips is a certified professional estimator, and is the First Vice President of the American Society of Professional Estimators. In 2015, Doyle Phillips, like those peers of his who have been in the field for 3-10 years has found the field beckoning them with wide open arms.
As a seasoned professional construction estimator, 2015 will be a year replete with advantages for you.
Let’s take a look at seven reasons why:
- Job Growth – According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Employment of cost estimators is projected to grow 26 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations.” The BLS also reports over 202,200 jobs in the field of cost estimating with upward growth.
- Salary Range – Here is a quote from the respected Chianelli Estimating Blog, “Construction estimators are the nucleus of your construction business, greatly impacting its success or failure. Upper echelon estimators are not easy to find and you will need to pay them well. This is an area not to scrimp on. Typically, good estimators are paid at least the same base salary you are paying your best project managers”. Pay Range averages in the $80,000 to $175,000 range.
- Social Media & Construction Estimators – LinkedIn (the social media networking platform for professionals of all occupations) offers 30 groups that specifically pertain to construction estimators. The social platform divides into groups that discuss new technologies, split off into geographic locations, and provide opportunities for construction estimating professionals and companies to advertise their services. Social media, in today’s labor market also plays a huge role in job opportunity.
- Networking Offline– The American Society of Professional Estimators and the Professional Construction Estimators of America, Inc. offer a wide range of networking opportunities through events like the PCEA National Convention held every year where seasoned construction estimators gather, to give awards and recognitions such as the National Estimator of the Year and Chapter of Year are acknowledged. The International Cost Estimates & Analysis Association and the AACE International are two other international associations that promote and provide networking opportunities for construction estimators. The AACE website contains a host of forums for construction estimators to network and share tips of the trade, along with professional advice, and job opportunities.
- Put Excel to Bed – The 21st century has brought a significant number of construction estimating software’s to the marketplace. Construction estimators who are in the field and have been are familiar with the top five construction estimating software’s, B2W Estimates, PipelineSuite Bid, iTWO, Smart Contract, and Clear Estimates (from the Capterra Review Site).
- App Technology – In a recent interview on The Unofficial Apple Blog, Victor Agreeda Jr discussed a new app developed by Joel Grasmeyer. The app is now available on IPAD, Mac & IPhone and was developed by Grasmeyer for the simplest of reasons. He had a problem with one of the tools he used for construction estimating and so designed an ingenious app to make everything easier.
- Wide-Ranging Work – If you are a construction estimator with 3-10 years of experience in the field you have your choice of where to work, and in what type of field. Those who are skilled could not ask for a better place to be, professionally. The professional construction estimator with 3- 10 years of exposure in the field literally have their pick of job opportunities in 2015.
If you are a seasoned professional construction estimator 2015 is waiting for you!