Estimators are outside most of the day calculating and measuring. Their job requires them to check out a piece of property to make sure its value is what it’s supposed to be. They work hand in hand with appraisers to get a full and accurate estimate on a piece of property before it’s sold.
The requirements for such a job usually entail a bachelor’s degree. Most people in this field study landscape architecture or similar fields. It’s not necessary, but definitely helpful. You’re more likely to be hired if you have a degree in a field similar to landscaping or architecture. It’s not necessary for you to have any hands on experience prior to getting the job, but you’ll most likely start in an assistant position working for someone else who already has an established clientele. Most estimators work free lance and their job depends on how many contractors they deal with and have good relationships with. So it’s best to start in a lower position working with someone who already has a solid clientele.
Salaries vary depending on where you live. In certain parts of the country, you can get paid well over $100K. In other parts where real estate is cheaper, you’ll most likely see a salary of $50K-$70K. However, if you begin as an assistant, you’ll get paid by the hour, most likely. Hourly wages for these kinds of jobs range from $17/hr-$35/hr. It’s decent pay, especially for someone straight out of college. Many people take up this job straight out of high school, too. It’s not necessary to have a degree as long as you have an established clientele. Many businesses stay in the family, so a father might pass it along to his son and his son may take over the business whether he’s been to college or not.
Estimators aren’t your typical construction job. Most people put them in the same category as architects or contractors. However, you’re still working with construction everyday and you spend most of your time in the outdoors. You still have plenty of manual labor that’s required of you, but it’s not quite the same as those building on the sites you create an estimate for. Your job is to determine the value of a piece of land and that can involve all kinds of tasks. However, in the end it’s a great job!
