Estimator
- Thread starter celtic
- Start date
- Status
mattsilkwood
Senior Member
- Location
- missouri
alot of that depends on the region you are working in and what type of work you are estimating. alot of times tha career center has averages of what to expect in your area.
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
celtic said:
Are you in the market for a career change???
I have been interviewing for a few positions like that I think the max rate for an Estimator on average was $75k plus bonus and a Project Manager was $90k plus bonus. I am not sure about Estimator/Project Managers maybe close to $80k usually those are for smaller shops of 60 or less guys. I have seen those as high as $130k plus bonus.
mattsilkwood
Senior Member
- Location
- missouri
sorry i couldnt find any links but your local employment security should have the stats youre looking for.
mdshunk
Senior Member
- Location
- Right here.
In many states, what used to be called the "unemployment office" is now suddenly called the "career center".celtic said:
dezwitinc
Senior Member
- Location
- Delray Beach, FL
Estimator
Based on what I know about this area, you are probably looking in the 75K range with a full compliment of benefits such as insurances, vehicle allowances, and vacations.
I have always been skeptical of those percentage based incentives because companies can get pretty creative with job cost.
What do you do if the job is a loser? Make the estimator pay up?
I would prefer to collect my money every week. Just my opinion.
Based on what I know about this area, you are probably looking in the 75K range with a full compliment of benefits such as insurances, vehicle allowances, and vacations.
I have always been skeptical of those percentage based incentives because companies can get pretty creative with job cost.
What do you do if the job is a loser? Make the estimator pay up?
I would prefer to collect my money every week. Just my opinion.
macmikeman
Senior Member
- Location
- Planet macmikeman
Celtic, if you get in, do good at it, don't worry too much about starting pay. The kind of outfit that you describe that might be hiring sounds like the kind of outfit that would be able to recognize and reward good work and talent. But you gotta start someplace....
**MULTIPLE REPLIES**
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In NJ, an electrician can make 75k and upwards to $125k+ w/OT. IMHO, to get me to switch hats (from EC to estimator) your number has be a LOT better than I can earn as an EC....which is more than an electrician makes
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IF the job runs over the hours I presented, one of two things has happened:
1) I was wrong
2) Their GF, AGF and SF can't run a job
Either way, the owner accepted my numbers ...right or wrong.
As far my percentage idea....that amount would need to be turned over when the project numbers have been accepted by all parties....2 - 3 years dowqn the road when all is said and done, I may very well be working for their competition...I don't want to hear "Your bonus check is the mail" LOL
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No.
Staring pay is CRUCIAL.
I cannot afford a pay cut...2 kids, wife, mortgage, blah blah...all my numbers remain the same(and continually increase)...if the money's not there ~ neither am I.
I'm here for the income, not the outcome ~ a paraphrase from another quote...I'm here for the money, if this thing gets built goody for you.
This particular outfit is pruely bottom feeders ~ low-balling, cut-throat pirate types ....BUT, they do get awarded a significant amount of work....how they make up for the bottom feeding - I dunno? Cracking the whip on the men or hammering the customer on extras..both and more? I dunno?
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Thanks to all for the valuable inputs.
Was it that obvious?Dennis Alwon said:
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Where would that be at(State)?khixxx said:
In NJ, an electrician can make 75k and upwards to $125k+ w/OT. IMHO, to get me to switch hats (from EC to estimator) your number has be a LOT better than I can earn as an EC....which is more than an electrician makes
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IF the job is run to the labor hours I "develop", then the end result "should" be equal to the number I presented to be awarded the job.dezwitinc said:
IF the job runs over the hours I presented, one of two things has happened:
1) I was wrong
2) Their GF, AGF and SF can't run a job
Either way, the owner accepted my numbers ...right or wrong.
As far my percentage idea....that amount would need to be turned over when the project numbers have been accepted by all parties....2 - 3 years dowqn the road when all is said and done, I may very well be working for their competition...I don't want to hear "Your bonus check is the mail" LOL
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macmikeman said:
No.
Staring pay is CRUCIAL.
I cannot afford a pay cut...2 kids, wife, mortgage, blah blah...all my numbers remain the same(and continually increase)...if the money's not there ~ neither am I.
I'm here for the income, not the outcome ~ a paraphrase from another quote...I'm here for the money, if this thing gets built goody for you.
This particular outfit is pruely bottom feeders ~ low-balling, cut-throat pirate types ....BUT, they do get awarded a significant amount of work....how they make up for the bottom feeding - I dunno? Cracking the whip on the men or hammering the customer on extras..both and more? I dunno?
**
Thanks to all for the valuable inputs.
dezwitinc
Senior Member
- Location
- Delray Beach, FL
Estimator
Before you make a jump to a bottom feeding company and give up what you have, remember that those bottom feeders are probably not very loyal to their employees.
I gave up a good thing once for the same kind of opportunity and never have fully recovered from it.
Before you make a jump to a bottom feeding company and give up what you have, remember that those bottom feeders are probably not very loyal to their employees.
I gave up a good thing once for the same kind of opportunity and never have fully recovered from it.
Good point.dezwitinc said:
As the work I typically do pales in comparison to this outfits (in terms of dollars and general size), I may actually do BOTH.
I'm a glutton for punishment
All I would have to do is hire someone to replace me and pay them 1/3 what I make as an EC...LOL.
quogueelectric
Senior Member
- Location
- new york
Sounds to me
Sounds to me
Like you are on your competitions heels and they are reading the art of war keep your friends close and your enemys closer. You sound like you have been doing just fine without them. Remember greed and fear are the 2 largest motivators. Dont fall into a trap.
Sounds to me
Like you are on your competitions heels and they are reading the art of war keep your friends close and your enemys closer. You sound like you have been doing just fine without them. Remember greed and fear are the 2 largest motivators. Dont fall into a trap.
SurfSide EC
Member
- Location
- Newport, NC
celtic said:
I have been looking at NC. Pay could be higher with experience. www.indeed.com is a job search site. type in estimator + electrical in the search field.
** MULTIPLE REPLIES **
That being said, IMHO, we are not competitors....rather two companies selling products and services of similar nature, but entirely different.
I am doing alright "as is" ...but I know I could be doing better. However, doing "better" also leads to becoming larger ...which leads to bigger headaches and stress levels(potentially). I am selective about who I will work for - whether it be a HO, GC, or other. This is done, obviously, to mitigate migranes.
Greed? I know I want it all and want it NOW! (like every red blooded American LOL) Yet, I can be patient and get the things I want when I feel comfortable finacially. I am driven - but not to the point of being a greedy SOB....a SOB, yes...just not a greedy SOB.
Fear is a strange animal.
Probably the biggest fear any of us has is: Can I make my monthly nut, save some money for the kid's higher education, retirement and some on the side for the simple pleasures in life ....vacations, cars, a new roof/water heater...you know... material things.
If this outfit doesn't like my "act", I can always return to my business.
I don't know if this is the same fear you are speaking about?
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This company can be pretty hard-nosed about things...the opposite of the comfortable/relaxed bubble I live in. Is that a bad thing? Different yes...but bad? I don't know.
Most larger companies - especially in the corporate world - are looking out for thier best interests. Years ago, I worked for a large company and I was convinced that from Day 1 they were looking for a way to terminate your employment there. Not a healthy way for a person to think...but prove me wrong. The "company" will always be looking to protect themselves from liability...I don't think that is wrong...it all depends on measure and means they go about to accomplish this act of protection.
As with any company, we need each other (to various degrees). They need an estimator that will win them jobs. I would like (I don't need them at this point) to switch hats.
Eventually, I will be too broken(physically) to perform the work (much like the tools I spoke about in the this thread
first day apprentice-what to do with them? Post #34 ). Then what? Relegate myself to my own office ...having laid the foundations now to become larger (planning ahead for the inevitable aging process).
This is a strong possibilty and a path I have not completely discounted.
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Thanks to all for the valuable inputs.
The level of work I do is not in the same league as this company - I am small, they are huge.....this disparity affords me the "luxury" of being anal about even the most miniscule point.quogueelectric said:
That being said, IMHO, we are not competitors....rather two companies selling products and services of similar nature, but entirely different
.I am doing alright "as is" ...but I know I could be doing better. However, doing "better" also leads to becoming larger ...which leads to bigger headaches and stress levels(potentially). I am selective about who I will work for - whether it be a HO, GC, or other. This is done, obviously, to mitigate migranes.
Greed? I know I want it all and want it NOW! (like every red blooded American LOL) Yet, I can be patient and get the things I want when I feel comfortable finacially. I am driven - but not to the point of being a greedy SOB....a SOB, yes...just not a greedy SOB.
Fear is a strange animal.
Probably the biggest fear any of us has is: Can I make my monthly nut, save some money for the kid's higher education, retirement and some on the side for the simple pleasures in life ....vacations, cars, a new roof/water heater...you know... material things.
If this outfit doesn't like my "act", I can always return to my business.
I don't know if this is the same fear you are speaking about?
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Don't apologize for your opinion - right or wrong, it's yours and I appreciate it.SurfSide EC said:
This company can be pretty hard-nosed about things...the opposite of the comfortable/relaxed bubble I live in. Is that a bad thing? Different yes...but bad? I don't know.
Most larger companies - especially in the corporate world - are looking out for thier best interests. Years ago, I worked for a large company and I was convinced that from Day 1 they were looking for a way to terminate your employment there. Not a healthy way for a person to think...but prove me wrong. The "company" will always be looking to protect themselves from liability...I don't think that is wrong...it all depends on measure and means they go about to accomplish this act of protection.
As with any company, we need each other (to various degrees). They need an estimator that will win them jobs. I would like (I don't need them at this point) to switch hats.
Eventually, I will be too broken(physically) to perform the work (much like the tools I spoke about in the this thread
This is a strong possibilty and a path I have not completely discounted.
**
I will check 'em out...thanx khixx.khixxx said:
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Thanks to all for the valuable inputs.
Did a little research on the numbers ...I don't think this company can afford me.... LOL.
I make more doing what I am doing ...even allowing for the little headaches and speedbumps along the ride ~ and I'm home for dinner every night with the family...kind of hard to put a dollar value on dinner with kids
I make more doing what I am doing ...even allowing for the little headaches and speedbumps along the ride ~ and I'm home for dinner every night with the family...kind of hard to put a dollar value on dinner with kids
quogueelectric
Senior Member
- Location
- new york
Dinner with the kids
Dinner with the kids
Dinner with the kids
This is an important lesson that I have just learned from you. Time just flies by while I am out chasing a dollar I have 10 voicemails on my phone that I cant erase of my daughter asking when I will be home. Thank you. Things are going to change around here I need to get my prioritys straight.celtic said:Did a little research on the numbers ...I don't think this company can afford me.... LOL.
I make more doing what I am doing ...even allowing for the little headaches and speedbumps along the ride ~ and I'm home for dinner every night with the family...kind of hard to put a dollar value on dinner with kids
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