Description
Prepare detailed cost estimates for manufacturing, construction, or services to support pricing, bidding, and planning; may specialize by product type or service.
- • Analyze blueprints, specifications, and documentation to prepare time, cost, material, and labor estimates.
- • Assess cost effectiveness and track actual costs against bids throughout the project lifecycle.
- • Consult with clients, vendors, and cross-functional staff to develop estimates and resolve issues.
- • Coordinate with engineers, architects, owners, contractors, and subcontractors on changes and estimate adjustments.
- • Develop estimates for management use in planning, organizing, scheduling, and budgeting.
- • Prepare estimates to aid in selecting vendors or subcontractors.
- • Evaluate make-versus-buy options for materials and components.
- • Produce cost and expenditure reports and required documentation at regular intervals.
- • Build and maintain a directory of suppliers, contractors, and subcontractors.
- • Set up and maintain cost monitoring and reporting systems and procedures.
- • Establish and manage the bidding process and conduct negotiations.
- • Conduct studies to establish standard hours and cost data or identify cost reductions.
- • Visit sites to document access, drainage, topography, and utility availability.
- • Compile and analyze historical cost data to inform current and future estimates.
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Related Pathways
Construction
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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Sources & Standards:
This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
