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title: Estimator Skills
---
# Estimator Skills

## Create a WBS

* Responsible Party: Associate/Estimator
* Validating Party: Estimator/Senior

### Requirements

* WBS excel sheet created and matches correct building areas on plans
* WBS sent to PM and feedback critically reviewed and determine if changes should be integrated

### Grading Scale

* Highly Proficient: no items missed - job fully completed and to standards
  Works quickly, consultative and collaboratively with Operations to get to approval and upload

* Proficient: main breakouts found but not to formatting or standards
  Works with Operations but with delay or without consultative view

* Work in Progress: Main breakouts missing or standards not followed
  Approvals with Operations become hostile or overly delayed

### Validation

Receive 5 Highly Proficient ratings on jobs by Senior/Estimator review
Once received, validation no longer required

## Create Unit Matrix

* Responsible Party: Associate/Estimator
* Validating Party: Estimator/Senior

### Requirements

* Compare/cross reference architectural and electrical plans
  to determine correct unit naming, count, location, and layout
* Create unit matrix excel document
* Enter information into Accubid and cBOM accurately

### Grading Scale

* Highly Proficient: no items missed - job fully completed and to standards
* Proficient: overall unit count correct
  but using inconsistent naming or order.
  Not to formatting or standards
* Work in Progress: Unit count incorrect, using incorrect documents,
  or documents not cross referenced for comparison

### Validation

Receive 5 Highly Proficient ratings on jobs by Senior/Estimator review
Once received, validation no longer required

## Setup Project in Accubid/LiveCount

* Responsible Party: Associate/Estimator
* Validating Party: Estimator/Senior

### Requirements

* Create Accubid file in proper location and format
* Create LiveCount folder in proper location and format
* Enter WBS area breakout and Unit Matrix into Accubid
* Upload contracted plans per scope of work to LiveCount
  and tie to Accubid using standard bookmark instructions

### Grading Scale

* Highly Proficient: all requirements met - job fully completed and to standards
* Proficient: all items completed but not fully to standard; still usable if corrected
* Work in Progress: set-up not usable to complete job, must be redone

### Validation

Receive 3 Highly Proficient ratings on jobs by Senior/Estimator review
Once received, validation no longer required

## Create Means and Methods

* Responsible Party: Estimator
* Validating Party: Senior

### Requirements

* Compile documentation to project folder and link to project OneNote
* Review the specifications, proposal and scope of work
  to determine contracted responsibilities
* Determine allowable scope of work
* Document contracted and allowable scope of work
  and recommended methods of construction per NEC and specifications
* Send to project team per Hub for approval
* Feedback critically reviewed and determine if changes should be integrated

### Grading Scale

* Highly Proficient: all information included and accurate -
  fully completed to standards.
  Works quickly, consultative and collaboratively with full project team.

* Proficient: Majority of information completed with minimal inaccuracies.
  Works with Operations but with delay,
  without consultative view, or not to all parties.

* Work in Progress: Using incorrect documents,
  not thinking critically about constructability, many inaccuracies.
  Approvals with project team become hostile or overly delayed;
  leaving out multiple project team members.

### Validation

* Receive 3 Highly Proficient ratings on jobs by Senior review
* Once received, validation no longer required

## Fixtures

* Responsible Party: Associate/Estimator
* Validating Party: Estimator/Senior

### Requirements

* Review reflected ceiling plans and compare/cross reference
  architectural, electrical, interior design, and landscape plans
  to identify all fixtures and their proper mounting requirements and length per fixture.
  Fixture schedule may be required to consult for mounting requirements.
* Build fixture assembly and assign to proper Accubid task

### Grading Scale

* Highly Proficient: all information included and accurate - fully completed to standards
* Proficient: all assemblies selected correctly, lengths may not be adjusted to actuals, installation methods not correct
* Work in Progress: incorrect assemblies chosen, missing lengths, incorrect wiring methods, assigned to wrong Accubid tasks

### Validation

* Until at least 3 Highly Proficient ratings on jobs by Senior/Estimator review, full takeoff validation required. (Must have at least 1 of Garden, High Density, and High Rise jobs.)
* After 3 Highly Proficient ratings, validation includes spot check of one unit, one building and one garage plus corridor measurements.

## Units

* Responsible Party: Associate/Estimator
* Validating Party: Estimator/Senior

### Requirements

* Identify wiring type, receptacle and switch specs based on Unit panel, proposal and drawings
* See Fixtures, Fire Alarm, Telecom, and Electrical for detailed requirements
* Measure any lengths of #10 wire and above
* Assign to proper Accubid task

### Grading Scale

* Highly Proficient: all information included and accurate - fully completed to standards
* Proficient: all items identified but some assemblies not selected correctly that can be easily substituted
* Work in Progress: incorrect wiring method, not following amperages based on unit panels, multiple items missing, incorrect routing used, not following symbol chart provided

### Validation

* Until at least 3 Highly Proficient ratings on jobs by Senior/Estimator review, full takeoff validation required. (Must have at least 1 of Garden, High Density, and High Rise jobs.)
* After 3 Highly Proficient ratings, validation includes extension spot check of high variable items, unit matrix counts

## Units Sub feeds

* Responsible Party: Associate/Estimator
* Validating Party: Estimator/Senior

### Requirements

* Check structural, architectual and electrical drawings
* Determine correct wiring method
* Determine correct routing
* Determine proper sizing based on NEC code year and voltage drop
* Assign to proper Accubid task

### Grading Scale

* Highly Proficient: all information included and accurate -
  fully completed to standards
  (unit panels drawn on levels, pigtails/stubbies/wire troughs added)
* Proficient: all items taken off, some routing errors
* Work in Progress: voltage drop calculated incorrectly,
  incorrect wiring method, incorrect routing,
  missing subfeeds, not utilizing typicals

### Validation

Until at least 3 Highly Proficient ratings on jobs by Senior/Estimator review, full takeoff validation required.
(Must have at least 1 of Garden, High Density, and High Rise jobs.)
After 3 Highly Proficient ratings, validation includes total count and spot check of voltage drop

## Fire Alarm

* Responsible Party: Associate/Estimator
* Validating Party: Estimator/Senior

### Requirements

* Review Architectural, Electrical and Fire Alarm drawings
  to determine correct assembly types based on symbols and structure type
* Determine correct routing for underground and riser requirements based on building type
* DAS requirements integrated where applicable, using information gathered from Fire Alarm/DAS scope
* Complete and assign to proper Accubid task

### Grading Scale

* Highly Proficient: all information included and accurate,
  utilizing typicals for efficient completion and review
* Proficient: all items taken off, some routing errors, typicals not utilized
* Work in Progress: Missing assemblies, incorrect conduit requirements, incorrect routing

### Validation

Until at least 3 Highly Proficient ratings on jobs by Senior/Estimator review, full takeoff validation required
(Must have at least 1 of Garden, High Density, and High Rise jobs).
After 3 Highly Proficient ratings, validation includes spot check of routing and riser in LiveCount/Accubid

## Telecom

* Responsible Party: Associate/Estimator
* Validating Party: Estimator/Senior

### Requirements

* Review Architectural, Electrical and Low Voltage drawings to determine correct cable specs, MSDE, riser requirements, and assemblies per legend
* Determine backbone routing and spec requirements
* Confirm mounting details and any other special requirements per job
* Complete and assign to proper Accubid task

### Grading Scale

* Highly Proficient: all information included and accurate,
  utilizing typicals for efficient completion and review
* Proficient: all items taken off, some routing errors, typicals not utilized
* Work in Progress: Incorrect specs/sizing, missing assemblies, incorrect conduit requirements, incorrect routing

### Validation

* Until at least 3 Highly Proficient ratings on jobs by Senior/Estimator review, full takeoff validation required. (Must have at least 1 of Garden, High Density, and High Rise jobs.)
* After 3 Highly Proficient ratings, validation includes spot check of routing and riser in LiveCount/Accubid and MSDE sizing/cable spec

## Electrical

* Responsible Party: Associate/Estimator
* Validating Party: Estimator/Senior

### Requirements

* Review all drawings, RCPs, and contract for requirements
* Determine correct wiring sizing, voltage drop, panel locations/schedules, wire/device specs, conduit specs, and slab thickness
* Differentiate spec requirements between garage and building as applicable
* Complete and assign to proper Accubid task

### Grading Scale

* Highly Proficient: all information included and accurate, adding additional home runs and assemblies based on panel locations not shown on plans
* Proficient: most information included and accurate; short on some lengths, not accounting for voltage drop
* Work in Progress: missing condensing units, home runs, using incorrect wiring or conduit methods, using wrong device specs, no typicals used

### Validation

Until at least 3 Highly Proficient ratings on jobs by Senior/Estimator review, full takeoff validation required.
(Must have at least 1 of Garden, High Density, and High Rise jobs.)
After 3 Highly Proficient ratings, validation includes spot check of home runs, reviewing plan notes for special requirements, review one typical level and amenity areas for all requirements

## Switchgear

* Responsible Party: Associate/Estimator
* Validating Party: Estimator/Senior

### Requirements

* Review riser and panel schedules to determine correct assemblies and power terminations
* Complete and assign to proper Accubid task

### Grading Scale

* Highly Proficient: all information included and accurate including termination locations and Accubid areas
* Proficient: most information included and accurate, missing some terminations
* Work in Progress: missing most terminations, incorrect locations in Accubid areas, missing panels

### Validation

Until at least 3 Highly Proficient ratings on jobs by Senior/Estimator review, full takeoff validation required.
After 3 Highly Proficient ratings, validation includes spot check one of each switchboard (switchboard/panel/meter center) by category

## Feeders / Risers / Primaries / Secondaries

* Responsible Party: Estimator
* Validating Party: Senior

### Requirements

* Review all drawings and contract specifications for requirements
* Determine correct sizing, routing, wiring method, conduit spec, and regional requirements
* Coordinate with project team (VDC, BOW, Operations) for routing
* Complete and assign to proper Accubid task

### Grading Scale

* Highly Proficient: all information included and accurate, feeders upped for voltage drop, cable supports added where necessary, correct assemblies built where necessary;
  updating take-off per regional requirements even when not shown in drawings
* Proficient: all items taken off and linked with To and From, some routing incorrect, standard assemblies used in lieu of feeder schedule
* Work in Progress: missing links and labels, voltage drop not accounted for, not integrating VDC information when available, wrong wiring/conduit method used

### Validation

Until at least 3 Highly Proficient ratings on jobs by Senior/Estimator review, full takeoff validation required. (Must have at least 1 of Garden, High Density, and High Rise jobs.)
After 3 Highly Proficient ratings, validation includes spot check of underground routing, LiveCount routing, comparison of assemblies to schedule, check high cost feeders for critical information

## Gather Quotes/Target Numbers

* Responsible Party: Estimator
* Validating Party: Senior

### Requirements

* Review contract documents to determine contracted responsibilities
* For each included scope, retrieve cost per ConEst SOP guidelines
* Save quotes to project folder in standard format and location
* Input cost into appropriate Accubid location and tab

### Grading Scale

* Highly Proficient: all scopes have been identified, have accurate cost, and are properly documented. Follow-up with various scopes is timely and collaborative.
* Proficient: all scopes have been identified and have accurate cost but are not properly documented or wasn't completed in a timely manner.
* Work in Progress: missing scopes, inaccurate costs and/or improperly documented. Follow-up not completed in timely manner or interactions with other parties become hostile or unprofessional.

### Validation

* Receive 3 Highly Proficient ratings on jobs by Senior review
* Once received, Senior will validate by verifying all scopes in contract have a cost defined

## Create General Conditions Budget

* Responsible Party: Estimator
* Validating Party: Senior

### Requirements

* Review project documentation to determine accurate project conditions (i.e. duration, type, region, etc.) to be applied to PDI guidelines
* Use company guidelines and rates per approved CTC/FRM when provided
* Follow ConEst SOP guidelines to create target values if approved FRM/CTC not received
* Input cost into appropriate Accubid tab and folder location

### Grading Scale

* Highly Proficient: all areas completed to guideline and all conditions identified and applied accurately. Documentation saved to proper locations
* Proficient: all areas completed to guideline but some conditions identified or applied incorrectly or project not fully documentmented to standard
* Work in Progress: not all areas completed to guideline and/or many conditions identified or applied incorrectly. Project not documented to standard.

### Validation

Receive 3 Highly Proficient ratings on jobs by Senior review
Once received, Senior will spot check project duration, region, scope and building type and date of guidelines used

## Create PDI Labor and General Support Budget

* Responsible Party: Estimator
* Validating Party: Senior

### Requirements

* Review project documentation to determine accurate project conditions
  (i.e. duration, type, region, etc.) to be applied to PDI guidelines
* Use company guidelines and rates per approved CTC/FRM when provided
* Follow ConEst SOP guidelines to create target values if approved FRM/CTC not received
* Input cost into appropriate Accubid tab and folder location

### Grading Scale

* Highly Proficient: all areas completed to guideline and all conditions identified and applied accurately. Documentation saved to proper locations
* Proficient: all areas completed to guideline but some conditions identified or applied incorrectly or project not fully documentmented to standard
* Work in Progress: not all areas completed to guideline and/or many conditions identified or applied incorrectly. Project not documented to standard.

### Validation

* Receive 3 Highly Proficient ratings on jobs by Senior review
* Once received, Senior will spot check project duration, region, scope and building type and date of guidelines used

## Create Production Labor Plan

* Responsible Party: Senior
* Validating Party: Manager

### Requirements

* Fill out standard template information
* Cross reference Accubid takeoff labor numbers to determine template numbers
* Cross reference the bid to determine strategy
* Determine factors/conditions that would impact rate changes (site, region, install requirements)
* Apply factors critically to complete template

### Grading Scale

* Highly Proficient: all information processed per guidelines, fully understand pricing strategy in order to explain/defend, communicate labor plan discrepancies clearly to both technical and executive level audiences
* Proficient: all information processed per guidelines but not able to fully defend and/or communicate decisions
* Work in Progress: information not processed to guidelines, not documented correctly and/or demonstrating lack of understanding for reasoning

### Validation

* Receive 5 Highly Proficient ratings on jobs by Manager
* Once received, Manager will spot check square footage, Material Handler, Temp Power, Slab/Deck, Gear/Feeders, SOW and Specifications

## Internal/Senior Review

* Responsible Party: Estimator/Senior
* Validating Party: Senior/Manager

### Requirements

* Use validation requirements to review each take-off area per employee current competencies of each scope
* Provide grading and constructive feedback on each scope as applicable
* Validate corrected items per first review once updated
* Document feedback on Team Member Tracking document

### Grading Scale

* Highly Proficient: provides comprehensive explanations and constructive feedback, all take-off areas fully vetted for accuracy and final product fully correct.
* Proficient: some areas have inaccuracies in final product and/or explanations lacking in clarity or not constructive for learning
* Work in Progress: many inaccuracies present after final review, feedback not provided or not constructive/clear

### Validation

Receive 3 Highly Proficient ratings on job reviews by Senior or Manager
Once received, validation no longer required

## ConEst Manager Review

* Responsible Party: Senior
* Validating Party: Manager

### Requirements

* Create project summary chart accurately
* Communicate reasoning clearly for decisions made throughout all scopes

### Grading Scale

* Highly Proficient: complete project summary to guideline, fully understand pricing strategy in order to explain/defend, communicate decisions clearly for all scopes
* Proficient: complete project summary to guideline, fully understand pricing strategy in order to explain/defend, communicate decisions clearly for most scopes
* Work in Progress: project summary not completed to guideline, demonstrating lack of understanding of scope decisions in multiple scopes

### Validation

Receive 5 Highly Proficient ratings on jobs by Manager
Once received, Manager will spot check square footage, Material Handler, Temp Power, Slab/Deck, Gear/Feeders, SOW and Specifications

## Complete WBS

* Responsible Party: Estimator
* Validating Party: Senior

### Requirements

* Import Accubid file into WBS template correctly
* Enter all other manual information accurately (comments, tabs, project details)
* Save WBS to correct location and format

### Grading Scale

* Highly Proficient: Accubid import completed successfully, all manual information entered correctly and saved to appropriate location
* Proficient: Accubid import completed successfully, all manual information included but entered in wrong location or format
* Work in Progress: Accubid import includes errors, some information missing and/or entered incorrectly, not saved to proper location

### Validation

Receive 3 Highly Proficient ratings on jobs by Senior review
Once received, Senior will spot check Import Exceptions tab, contract amount, tax rate, and Accubid final price and GP%

## Generate cBOM

* Responsible Party: Associate/Estimator
* Validating Party: Estimator/Senior

### Requirements

* Create cBOM to guideline using excel template
* Troubleshoot and correct any errors to allow for full import
* Save cBOM to correct location and format

### Grading Scale

* Highly Proficient: cBOM generated and saved, corrected any errors without assistance
* Proficient: cBOM generated and saved, corrected errors with minimal assistance
* Work in Progress: not able to finalize cBOM alone or required significant assistance

### Validation

Receive 3 Highly Proficient ratings on jobs by Estimator review
Once received, validation no longer required

## Executive Review (Chief/Ops/Director)

* Responsible Party: Senior
* Validating Party: Manager

### Requirements

* Distribute draft WBS and cBOM to all parties with deadline
* Collect feedback from all parties and evaluate critically to determine if changes should be integrated
* Communicate updates and reasoning clearly for decisions made throughout all scopes
* Make adjustments where applicable after comments agreed upon
* Distribute final ConEst to all parties

### Grading Scale

* Highly Proficient: distribute with clear deadline provided, fully understand pricing strategy in order to explain/defend, communicate decisions clearly for all scopes, works quickly and collaboratively with all parties to get to approval and issuance without escalation required
* Proficient: communication clear and understanding apparent but process gets delayed and/or follow-up not timely to get to issuance
* Work in Progress: not able to complete task independently, unclear communication, demonstrating lack of understanding of scope decisions, follow-up not completed in timely manner or interactions with other parties become hostile or unprofessional.

### Validation

Receive 3 Highly Proficient ratings on jobs under Manager supervision
Once received, supervision no longer required
