Estimator Duties and Responsibilities

To prepare an estimate properly, the estimator must have the ability to mentally visualize the material items required and the order in which they are installed to complete the job. While it is possible to accurately estimate a job without electrical experience, it is unlikely for anything but the simplest of jobs. Even then, it will only be a matter of time before the lack of experience will cause an estimate to be terribly wrong.

Because electrical work is complex, the estimator needs to have electrical construction experience (preferably as an electrician) to envision the need for special equipment and/or services that will be required. Equipment such as scaffolding, man lifts, cranes, trenching, rigging services, and so on, must be included in the estimate in the proper quantity and duration.

Not only do you need to know what is required to complete the job, but you must be comfortable with numbers and math as they pertain to NEC electrical construction and design calculations. You need that in order to best determine the cost of the job and offer value engineering to the customer when it's appropriate. Besides determining the cost of the job, the electrical estimator is often responsible for material purchases and project management information and tracking.

Purchasing Material

Since the estimator is usually most familiar with the job requirements, he or she is often expected to order the material required to do the job and set the delivery schedule. It's important to have good negotiating skills with suppliers to get a competitive price. It's also important to have experience using alternate materials in case there is a problem obtaining timely delivery of any materials required for the job.

Computer-Assisted Estimates. A computer-assisted estimate can easily and quickly provide the material items and quantities needed (Bill Of Materials) for this purpose.

Project Management/Tracking

Often the estimator needs to pass the estimate information on to the project manager so that he or she can manage the material and labor efficiently. Most estimating software can integrate with project management software to make the process seamless if the estimator is willing to take the time to enter the estimate data in detail and keep it current. This information is also essential for job costing once the project is complete.

Computer-Assisted Estimates. A computer-assisted estimate will allow you to organize the scope of your work by providing information about what is needed for each phase of the job.

The above content is extracted from Mike Holt's Electrical Estimating Program.

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Mike Holt is an author, businessman, educator, speaker, publisher and National Electrical Code? expert. He has written hundreds of electrical training books and articles, founded three successful businesses, and has taught thousands of electrical code seminars across the US and internationally. His company, Mike Holt Enterprises, has been serving the electrical industry for over 40 years, creating and publishing books, DVDs, online training and curriculum support for electrical trainers, students, organizations, and electrical professionals. 

Mike has devoted his career to studying and understanding the National Electrical Code and finding the easiest, most direct way to share that knowledge with others. He has taught over 1,000 classes on over 40 different electrical-related subjects to tens of thousands of students. His knowledge of the subject matter, coupled with his dynamic and animated teaching style, has made him sought after from companies like Generac, IAEI, IBEW, ICBO, NECA, and Fortune 500 companies such as IBM, Boeing, Motorola, and AT&T. He is a contributing Editor for Electrical Construction and Maintenance Magazine (EC&M) and formerly Construction Editor to Electrical Design and Installation Magazine (EDI). His articles have been seen in CEE News, Electrical Contractor (EC) International Association of Electrical Inspectors (IAEI News), The Electrical Distributor (TED) and Power Quality Magazine (PQ).