A plumbing estimator collects data on a plumbing project as well as vendor or service provider costs in order to show clients how much the project will cost. Although much of the work is research-based, excellent organization, writing, and presentation skills are required because the estimator must submit the estimate in writing and keep track of all the data used to create it. The estimator’s goal is to always provide a competitive estimate that will result in a work contract for his company.
The most important responsibility of a plumbing estimator, as the job title suggests, is to calculate how much a plumbing project will cost to complete, including both labor and materials. Good estimators are familiar enough with the field to sense what a rough price ballpark should be, but without project-specific research, a truly accurate estimate of expense is impossible.
There are at least four parts to the study. The plumbing estimator begins by reviewing the project’s scope, reading proposals and other documentation, and attending pre-bid meetings. This information reveals the precise amount and type of plumbing materials that are permitted. It also shows when the project must be completed, which may have an impact on labor costs if the project is under a tight deadline.
If necessary, the estimator visits the project site to conduct a physical audit of the work area after learning the project’s basic requirements. The on-site investigation aids the estimator in visualizing how the job should be completed as well as identifying any potential issues or special considerations that may necessitate the use of additional or different materials. It can also show the plumbing estimator which routes to the work area are the most efficient, which affects project completion time and material safety.
The plumbing estimator contacts specific vendors and contractors who provide goods or services after gathering information about the project and the project site. He may do this over the phone at first, but he usually requests written quotes from vendors and contractors as evidence for the final estimate he calculates. Sorting through providers can take a long time depending on the materials needed and how involved the plumbing is, but estimators frequently form networks and partnerships with good companies to speed up the data collection process.
Once the estimator has current quotes, he looks for similar projects to see how much they cost. The goal is to see if the lowest price he can offer in the current market is competitive. If the estimate isn’t very good, he returns to the project documentation and looks for ways to cut costs.
The project estimator creates a formal, detailed written estimate for the client using all of the information gathered during the research phase. He submits the estimate by the deadline set by the client, keeping a copy for his own records. If the client has any questions about the estimate, the estimator is in charge of responding to them.
If the client accepts the estimator’s estimates, the estimator acts as a liaison between the client and the vendors and contractors who have been contacted previously. He goes over the formal scope presented by vendors and contractors to make sure that everyone is on the same page and that the scopes are in line with the project contract. The estimator is also in charge of creating an overall work schedule and manpower charts.