Cost Estimators - Main Cost Estimators Cost estimators calculate what it will cost to perform services or produce goods. Cost estimators compute cost information for owners and managers. Managers use this information when bidding on contracts or new products. Managers then look at whether those products are profitable.
Estimators consider all the factors that can influence costs.
They look at costs of labor, location, and special machinery. Job duties vary depending on the type and size of the project. Estimators work for general contractors, manufacturers, engineering and architecture firms, and government agencies. Many estimators have a specialty. Two specialties are building construction and software development.