6 Things to Consider Before Becoming an Electrical Estimator

[@jeffbulltech]

Fantastic stream! You did a great job with the format, overlays, and making the content feel super engaging 😀

[@Visioninfosoft]

Thank you for the feedback and thank you for all your live streaming advice!

[@hectorabcdefg9076]

I was offered a job as an estimator for a big company in Texas. I have no experience whatsoever. Do you think that someone with no experience can perform the job well?

[@Visioninfosoft]

It depends on what you mean by no experience. If you have field experience, basic knowledge of reading an electrical plan and electrical requirements, and a supportive team that wants to see you succeed, then you can can perform the job of an estimator and grow into doing it well rather quickly. If your organization uses our Electrical Bid Manager for bidding, we have many videos on our youtube channel that can also speed your growth. We also have online training classes every month. www.visioninfosoft.com/training/online-classroom-training/ Let us know if you need help.

[@unknownman1035]

@@Visioninfosoft question I’m about to begin an apprenticeship being a commercial electrician. But after i finish my five years & I have experience in commercial construction can I become an estimator?😊

[@unknownman1035]

@@Visioninfosoft didn’t mean to send the smile face

[@Visioninfosoft]

​@@unknownman1035 Yes. Share your interest with your boss/owner, take the initiative to go through our training videos, consider asking your boss to pay for training, and look to see if a local college, trade school, association, or union offers electrical estimating training. Also, consider a program like this one: candelsoncall.com/overview-training/ Check your local library or search used books that cover electrical estimating. Mike Holt and RS Means both put one out. They can be a little pricey, but they offer a good look at the entire process and all major elements to consider. If you are savvy with a computer and have a desire to learn the skills of an estimator, you could jump into estimating rather quickly. Lastly, find a good mentor.

[@core4X]

Awesome. I have experience estimating and field experience installing but can't find a job estimating because I don't have a bachelor's degree. When in reality being in the field for so long I probably know more than the new grads taking jobs as an estimator haha

[@Lee-fy1bs]

I'm a licensed electrician. How do I get into estimating

[@Visioninfosoft]

Depending where you are, your union or IEC or similar may offer a "getting started" course. We are hosting one in Austin, TX with CENTEX IEC on 4/19. members.centexiec.com/eventcalendar/Details/electrical-estimating-and-beyond-619732?sourceTypeId=Website You may also want to get an electrical estimating book for reference: www.amazon.com/s?k=electrical+estimating+book Consider discussing this desire with your company. They may be very interested in helping you grow into an estimator role. Lastly, consider an online electrical estimating certification course. Candels Academy have a very thorough ondemand training program and community: candelsoncall.com/overview-training/

[@Lee-fy1bs]

@@Visioninfosoft thanks I looked up candels and yes I'm union.... seems a tho theirs not much available. I'm not looking for a getting started course, I'm looking for something that can have me ready to estimate when I'm done with it. Thanks for responding

[@Visioninfosoft]

@@Lee-fy1bs, gotcha. Good luck! You can't go wrong with Candels Academy. You could also look at www.mikeholt.com/productitem.php?id=2323 but we can't vouch for that package.