Top electrical estimator skills needed to get the job.

What are the top 3 traits or skills every electrical estimator must have to excel?

Can you suggest any tips or insights to develop your electrical estimator expertise?

1. Passion
2. Attention to detail
3. Consistent method of takeoffs for projects

I know that the lack of passion brings down more estimators than anything else. A question that I ask is what do you enjoy most Monday - Fridays or Weekends? The answer is generally Weekends because you can pursue items that you enjoy. My reply to you is why are you not working in a field that you enjoy, why don't you pursue your passion?

Attention to detail is critical for an estimator, we see estimators who while estimating come across items that they either do not understand or have never had to install, we see in their estimates items such as misc UPS $500.00 and 8 hours to install. Now the UPS (uninterrupted Power Supply) in question was a unit that I knew was worth between 6 to 7 thousand dollars to purchase, the installation hours of 8 hours would have been a little low for me, but was within range if I knew the installation to be particularly easy. The problem was the estimator "winged" a number for an item that they had never had any experience. The internet can provide a lot of information quickly and UPS providers can quote items quickly, why "wing" items? Attention to detail is critical.

While estimating I estimate every job in the same manner, every time! I use three colors to mark up drawings, I use the same breakouts to separate levels and other breakouts to separate major items. In this manner I can look at a total floor or an entire system separately. Or I can look at a system on a single floor.

I have run out of room, these are just my opinions. Good luck.

How did YOU train to be an estimator? Are yo an electrical engineer? A former contractor? An electrician?

I was initially taught by father over thirty years ago, since then I have taken several classes in estimating. The majority has been from actually estimating construction projects. I have had the chance to work with many really good estimators and a few that left a bit to be desired.

For the past thirteen years I have held estimating and project management classes. Back to the basics. I am a firm believer that if you understand those basics well and follow the same procedures from estimate to estimate your success in this career will improve. You can see some techniques on the internet just type in electrical estimating training in Google, our website is generally near the top of the first page.