Construction Estimators
Job description
These individuals analyze costs and prepare evaluations for various projects (civil engineering, architecture, construction, etc.). They are self-employed or work for construction companies or contractors.
Environment
- Controlled ambient temperature
Main tasks
- Evaluate material, labour, and equipment costs from bids, plans, and specifications.
- Review and analyze bids received, recommend acceptance of contracts, and negotiate them.
- Implement and maintain systems and procedures for submission, monitoring, and reporting.
- Prepare statements and forecasts of costs and expenditures during the projects.
- Keep directories of suppliers, contractors, and subcontractors up to date.
- Collaborate with professionals (Engineers, Architects, Contractors, etc.).
- Estimate the impact of changes and adjustments to cost estimates.
- Manage, coordinate, and monitor the progress of construction projects.
Advancement and mobility
- Experience leads to management positions.
- These individuals may specialize in the cost evaluation of structural, electrical, or mechanical construction projects.
Hourly wage
The hourly wage is calculated by averaging wages from 2022 to 2024.- Minimum
- $21.63
- Median
- $32.15
- Maximum
- $48.00
Job prospects for 2024-2028
Job prospects for 2024-2028
Job prospects
All of Québec
All of Québec
Total jobs for 2023
All of Québec
All of Québec
Gender distribution
All of Québec
- 22.9% Female
- 77.1% Male
- 22.9% Female
- 77.1% Male
Job types
All of Québec
- Full time
- Part time
- Full time
- Part time
Yearly wage on 2020
All of Québec
All of Québec
Other characteristics
All of Québec
- Non traditional for women
- None
All of Québec
- Non traditional for women
- None
Sectors of activity
All of Québec
-
NAICS 2370% of jobs
-
NAICS 3324% of jobs
-
NAICS 413% of jobs
-
NAICS 44, 453% of jobs
-
NAICS 5413, 54143% of jobs
-
Others17% of jobs
All of Québec
-
NAICS 2370% of jobs
-
NAICS 3324% of jobs
-
NAICS 413% of jobs
-
NAICS 44, 453% of jobs
-
NAICS 5413, 54143% of jobs
-
Others17% of jobs
Training and requirements
Formation
Most training programs are offered in French only.
College
DCS in architectural Technology
Placement rate: 59.1%
38.7% of graduates pursue further studies
DCS in building Systems Technology
Placement rate: 63.5%
34.6% of graduates pursue further studies
DCS in civil Engineering Technology
Placement rate: 48.5%
48.9% of graduates pursue further studies
DCS in technologie de l'estimation et de l'évaluation en bâtiment (Estimation en construction)
Placement rate: 77.8%
22.2% of graduates pursue further studies
DCS in technologie de l'estimation et de l'évaluation en bâtiment (Évaluation immobilière)
Placement rate: 56.5%
34.8% of graduates pursue further studies
Also required
- Several years of experience as a skilled worker in one of the construction trades (plumbing, carpentry, electrical, etc.).
Main skills and characteristics
Skills
- Data collection
- Information processing
- Mathematics
- Reading comprehension
- Critical thought
- Active listening
- Oral expression
- Judgment and decision-making
- Written expression
- Active learning
- System analysis
- Financial resource management
- Solving complex problems
- Coordination
- Systems evaluation
- Negotiation
- Social perception
- Result evaluation
- Time management
- Persuasion
Abilities
- Basic numeracy
- Oral comprehension
- Verbal skills
- Inductive reasoning
- Mathematical reasoning
- Written comprehension
- Deductive reasoning
- Written expression
- Speech clarity
- Information organization
- Near vision
- Classification
- Speech recognition
- Awareness of issues
- Selective attention
- Idea generation
Knowledge and attributes
- Critical thinking
- Autonomy
- Sense of responsibility
- Knowledge of economics and accounting
- Rigour
- Sense of initiative
- Intermediate knowledge of the English language
- Respect standards and regulations
- Sense of observation
- Knowledge of buildings and construction
Interests
- Draft, communicate, and inform
- Work with numbers
- Self-employment
Personality profiles (RIASEC)
- Investigative
- People with this profile prefer relying on theoretical knowledge before acting. They like observation, analysis and problem solving.
- Realistic
- People with this profile prefer carrying out concrete tasks and being physically involved in what they do.
- Conventional
- People with this profile prefer specific, well-defined tasks. They like to respect the order of things and follow established rules.
Official name of the NOC 22303
Construction estimators
Job titles
- Construction cost estimator
- Construction estimator
- Chief estimator - construction
- Construction cost consultant
- Professional quantity surveyor
- Certified construction estimator
- Principal estimator - construction
- Professional estimator - construction
- Junior estimator - construction
- Contractors estimator
- Trade contractor estimator - construction
- Building construction estimator
- Electrical estimator - construction
- Mechanical estimator - construction
- Plumbing estimator - construction
- Quantity surveyor-estimator
- Quantity surveyor - construction
- Electrical and mechanical quantity surveyor
Skill type
Natural and applied sciences and related occupations
Last update: January 29, 2026