GEDON™ | Executive Recruitment | Estimating & Cost Management Recruitment Experts | Host of The Take Off Podcast | Building, Infrastructure & Built Environment
Estimators are leaving the construction industry in droves. And we don't have the talent to replace them. 👉 Retirement 👉 Burn out 👉 Lack of growth opportunities Are just a few reasons why Estimators are leaving the construction industry. At a critical time when companies are losing money at an unprecedented level. A highly talented Estimator, who knows the market, the sub contractors and has the ability to price risk and build strong relationships with suppliers Are going to be in high demand for a very long time. BUT employers need to find a way to incentivize estimators to stay. 📌 Job Creation (Developing sector specialists such as Chief Estimator of X Sector or Lead Estimator of X sector) the Estimating Manager position allows only 1 opportunity for your team to get promoted. It's not like a Construction Manager where a business can have as many as they need. Once an estimator sits at SE level for too long, it's likely they will leave for an EM role elsewhere. 📌 True Flexibility needs to be presented to Estimators. Quite often the most talented estimators prefer working alone and working from home a few days a week is a simple but effective way of providing some flexibility to your team. 📌 Present awards and recognition to Estimators as well as the Project Delivery team. Allow the Estimator to cut the red tape or chuck a shovel into the ground every now and again. 📌 Don't reject an Estimator because they don't have a specific software experience. I.e. if they have 5 years experience using Cubit, don't reject them because they don't have CostX. They could be an incredible Estimator but just need exposure to a specific software. Develop Software specialists in your team, create easy on boarding and training for them to hit the ground running. What do you think? What can we do to attract and retain more estimators to the construction sector? 🤔 #Estimating #CostPlanning #Construction #ProofIsInTheProgress
Anthony Simpson
7mo
Stop rewarding people for tenure. Merely sitting in one's role because no one else has the stomach to do the hard work doesn't qualify one for career advancement. How about, instead of inventing job opportunities and creating/inflating tension amongst employers, we look at developing talent with structured and relevant training? I've worked with so many reasonable estimators over the years that could have been awesome, if only they were given appropriate support, guidance, and learning opportunities. Alternatively, find yourself an estimator that has lived experience and actual qualifications in engineering, project management, law and business, and maybe they're worth the big bucks...
David Large
7mo
I am an experienced Residential Estimator looking for work. I don't think a lot of people in the industry truly appreciate the importance of a good estimator and more one that actually cares about what they do. So many times I have heard "meh not my money" when something is incorrect or missed. As stated in the article the talent is not there to replace estimators who leave. I have seen it a very few times and when I have they have been treated the way this article details it so they leave.
Estimators are also subject to poor overall company winning work strategies, management who aren’t invested in learning or improvement, and minimal investment into bid teams. This leads to poor win rates leading to increasing pressure to win, which also contributes to the burn out. Estimators also aren’t seen as the hero’s that project managers are and it can be a very underappreciated role.
Brian Pilsl
7mo
Retaining estimators is crucial for the construction industry's success. Providing job growth opportunities and flexibility is key. ✨
Sam Cabbani
7mo
Early contract involvement is key to developing scheme designed and costed as close to budget as possible. It’s crucial for the estimator to follow up on tender bids to secure award through direct front face contact of client then close out with email. Can’t stress enough on these two important points.
Angel Iyke-Osuji
7mo
100% agree with this Mick Donaghy Especially your third point. Estimators play such a vital role in the project team not be recognized now and then 😉 Do you also think that the low visibility or involvement of Estimating/QS professional bodies play a role in estimators leaving the industry?
Chloe Stenson
7mo
Really? I have more estimators than I do vacancies…
Estimating manager at Crystele Homes
7moSome very good points Mick Not every estimator wants a management role but other avenues can be given like special projects outside the standard scope, I think even something g simple like letting the estimators out of the office with the supervisors or spending a day with certain trades etc can break up the monotony. Flexibility for sure I once asked if I could start and finish an hour earlier only 2 days a week so I could make it back to pick my kids up from daycare before it got dark I was told No because it would set a precedence for the company, I stopped ignoring the recruiters and was gone within 2 months ironically that company now advertises jobs that are way more flexible than what I asked for. If an estimator knows one Software package inside out, they will 100% pick another one up really quick and will often discover stuff in the software you didn’t know existed. I would add that for a sales estimator if management constantly sides with sales and over rules the estimator every time and ignore their concerns you will lose that estimator very quickly.