Estimator Interview Questions

1. Benchmark against previous, similar projects, exclude peculiarities [cost of land, remediation of land, special foundations, etc], state assumptions and most importantly state it as a range, say $150-250/SF rather than give a single figure the client will latch onto throughout the design process. 2. Need to get back into prime contracting and get involved in actual construction, as I used to, instead of consulting, where engagement is limited and also so I can have bragging rights when driving my dad, who was a Town Planner and builder, and a merciless tease, around town and pointing out projects I'd project managed (interviewers mockingly laughed at this). Of course I was being facetious but who wouldn't be after how they approached the whole interview process, not to mention that it's always been one of the dumbest interview questions? Why should anyone have a "noble reason" for leaving one company or the other in a free country, especially an "at-will" employment State anyway? The interviewers also laughed at the notion of establishing an independent estimate to compare returned subcontractor bids against and claimed they found RS Means was inaccurate. I wondered whether they receive detailed estimates to back up the fixed lump sum bids from subcontractors and how they handled change orders, price adjustment, etc, post contract.

These people are afraid to hire senior people skilled in the industry. Another job scared company.

Walked them trough my experience and the job posting and hoe I fit the requirments.

Experience bidding on large oil & gas and infrastructure projects.

I talked about the piping materials used on various jobs I had worked on.

In 50+ of my experience, I had many job interviews. I also conducted many interviews, and I learned one thing: you have to be absolutely different from the rest of the crowd applying for the same position. You have one chance to make present yourself, in such a way, that the employer will understand, that this might be also last chance to give you an offer, before some one else does :) After interview never analyze, how interview went, what you said, and so on.... Just forget it, and move on, don’t waist your valuable time.

Yes

Yes

I would explain that it would take longer and why .

i would give a price for three days then bury them in extras

That I had use the DOS version and Timberline Project Manager and that I would would get a hotel room in Columbus.

I'm guessing the company has specific software they had purchased and wanted to know if the candidate could use and or adapt. Did you get the job?

I was prepared with questions for the interviewers about the company. I asked thoughtful questions and presented myself well.