LEAD ESTIMATOR SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND JOB REQUIREMENTS

Published: Jan 12, 2026 - The Lead Estimator applies strong commercial construction experience covering digital takeoffs, cost assemblies, and project spec review to independently produce accurate and timely estimates. This role requires solid math skills, proficiency in estimating and Microsoft Office software, and the ability to research, prioritize, and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment. The estimator must maintain professional communication, organization, and teamwork while initiating and delivering complete estimates and proposals without supervision.

Essential Hard and Soft Skills for a Standout Lead Estimator Resume
  • Cost Estimating
  • Quantity Takeoff
  • Budget Modeling
  • Risk Analysis
  • Contract Review
  • Market Benchmarking
  • Scope Development
  • Cost Reporting
  • Software Proficiency
  • Bid Preparation
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Time Management
  • Communication Skills
  • Problem Solving
  • Team Collaboration
  • Decision Making
  • Detail Orientation
  • Stakeholder Engagement
  • Adaptability
  • Leadership Skills

Summary of Lead Estimator Knowledge and Qualifications on Resume

1. BS in Construction Management with 8 years of Experience

  • Experience in project engineering, field supervision, or purchasing
  • Knowledge of building construction, materials, systems, market conditions, and trade practices
  • Must have conceptual ability to work with minimum information and quickly develop an understanding of the owner/architect requirements
  • Demonstrate an imaginative, innovative, and succinct approach to a project
  • Familiarity with the operating procedures and methods of other departments, including procurement, cost, accounting, etc
  • Good leadership, verbal and written skills
  • Strong computer skills and a familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite of programs and Turner’s estimating software
  • Complete knowledge of the estimating documents and the ability to provide accurate qualitative and quantitative analysis of the documents
  • Must be able to multitask and meet established deadlines.

2. BS in Civil Engineering with 10 years of Experience

  • Experience in commercial construction as a subcontractor estimator, project manager, or directly involved in builder or contractor material sales, having done on-screen take-offs, purchasing, etc.
  • Experience as a self-performer, cost assemblies, and a digital takeoff full-time estimator.
  • Must be computer literate, have basic knowledge of commercial building codes and building materials.
  • Must be able to work independently.
  • Self-driven and able to research information required per project specs and drawings.
  • Professional appearance and team attitude, with awareness of office protocols.
  • Strong desire to work in a professional environment.
  • Excellent organizational and communication skills.
  • Capable of prioritizing multiple tasks in a structured environment.
  • Be able to initiate and coordinate required estimates and proposals with no supervision.
  • Team in a fast-paced environment and drive the project to meet deadlines
  • Solid mathematical skills, prior experience in estimating software.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook)
  • Proficiency in estimating/digital on-screen takeoff software.

3. BA in Architecture with 12 years of Experience

  • Experience with EPC and BOP estimate structure for creation of proposals for large utility and utility-grade renewable energy power plant construction projects.
  • Ability to recommend alternative designs/scope definitions which support consistency, standardization, and cost competitiveness.
  • Experience with tasks and processes associated with the construction of utility-grade renewable energy projects.
  • Experience working with BESS DC and AC-coupled systems and transmission line construction.
  • Familiar with design-build construction methods, using creative thought processes and experience, to produce production-based cost estimates with detailed costs for resource budget estimates.
  • Ability to complete quantity take-offs from construction plans.
  • Ability to compile indicative budgets in the absence of engineered documents.
  • Experience in estimating software
  • Experience with HCSS HeavyBid.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Estimating and/or project management experience in the power delivery industry

4. BS in Quantity Surveying with 9 years of Experience

  • Experience with Blue Beam/Adobe for purposes of quantity take-off.
  • Ability to evaluate site conditions from plans, geotechnical reports, and site visits for creation of cost estimates using the best labor, equipment, and material resources for accurate proposal estimates.
  • Ability to apply varying levels of detail for both indicative and hard bid proposals.
  • Experience with client and subcontractor interface and negotiation.
  • Ability to travel to sites to review site conditions during the proposal phase, evaluate resources and production during the construction phase.
  • Familiarity with standard construction industry concepts and practices.
  • Comfortable operating in a collaborative team environment working with third-party customers, developers, design engineers, construction estimators, pre-construction managers, construction managers, and executive managers.
  • Experience in estimating substation or high voltage systems.
  • Experience in leading a team of estimators for specific project pursuit estimates.
  • Field-based construction experience.
  • Solid Microsoft Office Suite and estimating software skills

5. BS in Building Science with 12 years of Experience

  • Experience as an estimator for major civil projects.
  • Familiarity with all aspects of infrastructure projects
  • Experience with a large civil/highway contractor
  • Strong experience with large civil estimating
  • Effective presentation skills
  • Advanced computer skills with MS Office, Primavera P6
  • Knowledge of AutoCAD and/or MicroStation
  • Extensive knowledge of construction costs and engineering principles
  • Well organized, flexible, detail-oriented, and multi-tasked.
  • Prioritize workload and consistently meet deadlines while constantly changing tasks and demands
  • Ability to work with other engineers and estimators, and be part of a team

6. BA in Business Administration with 8 years of Experience

  • Construction/remodeling design background
  • Proficient in scheduling, CRM, and production applications
  • Be able to manage the flow of information
  • Expert and creative problem solver, must know how to ask great questions
  • Must be able to control situations
  • Great organizational skills and willing to follow processes with exactness
  • Possess an owner mentality
  • Be able to simplify, delegate, systematize, and build or maintain structure
  • Ability to work independently and as a team
  • Be able to work on tight deadlines
  • Expert multitasking, organized, and efficient
  • Exceptional verbal, written, and presentation skills
  • Experience in the construction and remodeling industry
  • Salesforce or other CRM experience, production applications
  • Project management degree or PMP Certificate

7. BS in Industrial Technology with 12 years of Experience

  • Experience in the renewable construction estimating field.
  • Direct experience in estimating for wind and/or solar
  • Experience in a related field, including work for any of the major turbine or equipment suppliers.
  • Knowledge in estimating medium voltage and high voltage work.
  • Ability to develop and maintain a cost analysis database that allows for the evaluation of past project build costs to effectively estimate future build costs in a targeted market
  • Knowledge of trending constructability costs in the wind and solar market
  • Must be proficient in typical software applications, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Microsoft Project or Primavera.
  • Willing to interact with all departments of the company (development, meteorology, interconnection, environmental, and real estate) and understand how they all have an impact on the ultimate end build cost.
  • Ability to provide construction estimates based on engineering designs, drawings, site visits, geotechnical surveys, Topos, and contractual agreements and associated materials.
  • Understand estimating scope of work, spreadsheets, deliverables, levels of engineering needed to support estimates, schedules of execution, and commissioning/interconnections estimate structure, formats, and reports.
  • Ability to collect, refine, estimate, and correlate necessary project-related costs and schedule data needed to determine equipment, materials, labour, internal/external, subcontract, third party, non-contracted BOP costs, construction labour expenses, and such indirect costs as engineering, taxes, permitting, crossing agreements.
  • Ability to analyse key themes and trends to ensure all factors and properly priced and included in the project estimate and can be backed up with real data, historical data, or validated by other means.
  • Ability to consult with vendors, industry leaders, counter parties, personnel in other departments, and engineering to discuss and formulate estimates and resolve issues.

8. BS in Engineering Technology with 13 years of Experience

  • Ability to input overall baseline strategies, be creative and voice ideas, risks, unresolved issues, and options to help book cost-effective work.
  • Ability to secure Vetted BOP and vendor numbers, provide BOP Estimates validation on internal Pattern estimates, utilizing market-leading industry costs.
  • Ability to utilize Patterns' historical project build costs for wind, solar, T-line, and HVDC.
  • Ability to provide technical support during pre-construction to the Pre-Con team on E&C aspects of renewable energy projects.
  • Must be willing and capable of traveling in the US/Canada/Mexico/Puerto Rico.
  • Ability to maintain cost Estimating and Analysis databases for renewable generation and transmission projects
  • Be able to work in a high-paced work environment
  • Strong communication and presentation skills
  • Must have proficient people management skills and a proven track record in the estimating field.
  • Experience in Multi-MW scale Wind projects, GW scale wind projects
  • Experience in Solar utility-scale projects with multiple ranges from 100MW to 600MW Solar projects and interconnections.
  • Experience with MV, High voltage, HVDC, substations, and T-lines for engineering design and costing
  • Ability to use estimating software, schedule programs, and Microsoft programs
  • Ability to build a new cost database
  • Ability to validate and confirm numbers to industry standards and applications.

9. BA in Project Management with 15 years of Experience

  • Experience working on a large-scale heavy industrial processing plant project
  • Demonstrated experience as a Project or Lead Estimator, including global estimating experience in a broad range of full life-cycle energy projects.
  • Broad knowledge and experience in EPC estimating practices and methods
  • Knowledgeable of project lifecycle processes and stage gate quality management systems
  • Ability to analyze estimates using benchmarking tools, inform and influence stakeholders based on analysis
  • Understand all levels of estimates, including Pre-Scoping, Scoping, DBM, FEED, Detailed Engineering, Execution, and Construction
  • Strong drafting and computer skills
  • Ability to read and understand specifications and drawings
  • Ability to make accurate judgments and calculations
  • Working knowledge of construction costs and principles
  • Estimating experience (quantity takeoffs, purchasing, accounting, engineering design knowledge, and project management experience)

10. BS in Construction Engineering with 9 years of Experience

  • Job experience as an estimator or a degree in Construction Management
  • Extensive experience using Accubid Enterprise or similar estimating software.
  • Strong ability to conceptually estimate electrical construction projects.
  • Extensive working knowledge of the electrical construction industry.
  • Ability to understand all types of drawings and technical specifications.
  • Knowledge of the National Electrical Code, fire alarm, and other systems.
  • Strong analytical skills and statistical background.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Proficient in the use of computers and Microsoft Office.

11. BA in Urban Planning with 12 years of Experience

  • Experience in estimating large Capital Improvement Programs in excess of, including planning and preconstruction activities
  • Experience working directly with owners in a leadership role
  • Demonstrated ability in managing teams, including hiring and developing talent
  • Understanding of contracts (negotiations, language, and requirements)
  • Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills
  • Strong organizational skills and problem-solving abilities
  • Strong computer skills and literacy
  • Familiarity with the use of data analytics and dashboards in construction management
  • Professional certifications related to cost estimating and project management

12. BS in Mechanical Engineering with 8 years of Experience

  • Commercial construction estimating experience.
  • Demonstrate behaviors consistent with the profile of a Bandy Person as found on the website.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Advanced organizational skills and ability to multitask to consistently meet deadlines.
  • Ability to identify and anticipate project obstacles, challenges, etc., and determine effective solutions.
  • Ability to gather and analyze data utilizing Microsoft Excel and functionally competent in the use of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Office 365 platforms.
  • Experience utilizing On-Screen Takeoff and iSqFt bid management platform.
  • Experience in preparing estimates
  • Knowledge of and relationships with local Trade Partners and Vendors.
  • Ability to provide conceptual estimates utilizing building element unit costs.

13. BS in Structural Engineering with 12 years of Experience

  • Experience as an Estimator working in all aspects of large heavy/highway construction projects (Structures, Bridges, Underground, Earthwork, and Concrete Paving) on projects
  • Experience leading an estimating team
  • Previous field operations experience
  • Experience with collaborating with the owner, contractors, and other project team members to provide engineering and cost data regarding project feasibility
  • Strong prioritization and organizational skills, detail-oriented
  • Strong working knowledge of Microsoft programs such as Excel and Word
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Hard Dollar and Primavera P6 experience
  • Ability to coordinate actions with other teams (engineering, project manager, layout team, purchase department).
  • Ability to work independently in a fast-paced and deadline-driven environment
  • Business experience in sales back office, engineering, estimating, concepting, selling, proposal management from an engineering company/environment

14. BA in Economics with 8 years of Experience

  • Experience in building construction, design, or subcontract management.
  • Understanding of Metal Building Structures for industrial projects.
  • Basic understanding of building mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.
  • Familiarity with building codes and requirements.
  • Familiar and confident in understanding the workflow required to estimate, bid and construct buildings in an Engineer-Procure-Construct (EPC) and Design-Build environment.
  • Experience with the execution of all building project design phases from concept to construction.
  • Knowledge of construction means and methods, costs and techniques, construction safety and current Federal and OSHA Requirements.
  • Ability to read, analyze, and identify discrepancies on engineering plans, specifications, and contract documents.
  • Experience with the value engineering process and low-cost alternative recommendations as they relate to project budgets and associated construction costs.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, Bluebeam and Navisworks.
  • Experience with InEight Estimate (HardDollar).
  • Exceptionally strong attention to detail, oral and written communication, interpersonal and leadership skills.
  • Highly motivated, with a demonstrated passion for excellence and taking initiative.
  • Strong work ethic, willing to do what it takes to get the job done right the first time.
  • Demonstrated commitment to ethics and integrity.
  • Ability to work independently to meet deadlines, goals, and objectives.

15. BS in Applied Math with 7 years of Experience

  • Experience in a similar role within the residential and/or commercial construction industry, with a proven ability to plan and manage the estimating activities required to meet bid preparation programme requirements
  • Ability to mentor and lead the estimating team
  • Knowledge of the Melbourne building construction market, subcontractors, and local suppliers.
  • Effective communication/negotiation/influencing proven skills with third-party stakeholders, including face-to-face delivery to clients.
  • Experience in structural steel manufacturing, construction estimating, or business management experience
  • Customer quoting experience and direct involvement with sales
  • Construction knowledge, including understanding and interpreting plans and specifications
  • Experience developing and managing strong customer relationships
  • Excellent team and communication skills
  • Comprehensive knowledge of estimating practices and procedures
  • Client relationship management experience
  • Ability to work with others in a team environment
  • Pro-active attitude with good communication skills and strong attention to detail