The roof is one of the most vital aspects of the house’s exterior. Offering a protective value, it also contributes to the overall aesthetic appeal of the building. The roof is one of the things people see when approaching the house. As such, many homeowners spend quality time and thoughts on making a roof. And that is where the job of a roofing estimator comes in.
Roofing estimators are professionals that provide roofing estimates and oversee roofing activities for building projects. This profession is usually needed for large building projects in the past. However, its popularity has recently increased due to every building owner wanting the best for their properties and hiring professionals to take charge of different aspects of the construction. This has made finding a job as a roofing estimator more seamless. You can easily land projects by clicking on Jooble on the internet.
As easy a job as being a roofing estimator seems, it is an important job that requires focus, conciseness, and adequate training. However, many people do not know what it takes to become a roofing estimator or what duties are required.
In this regard, we have collaborated with experts from job aggregator Jooble to research the job of a roofing estimator. We will discuss what you need to become one and what the responsibilities of a roofing estimator are.
Contrary to what may be believed, roofing estimators work in the office and use a computer to execute most of their jobs. Although they travel to sites, it is minimal as it is only to measure, take photographs of the building and inspect.
Some other things roofing estimators do are:
The job of a roofing estimator is both technical and mental. Therefore, it requires both education and skills. Also, getting licensed in the state you practice can help you gain a better footing.
Below are the basic requirements to work as a roofing estimator:
A Bachelor’s degree is the minimum education required to become a roofing estimator. You must get a bachelor’s degree in construction, quantity surveying, or other related fields. You need a high school diploma to get into a university, and it usually takes four to five years to get a degree in construction-related courses.
In addition, you should take classes in technical drawing and mathematics, so an excellent background knowledge in those subjects is essential.
Being a roofing estimator requires both soft and technical skills. Soft skills are needed to navigate the nuances of the business relationship, while hard skills are necessary to do the job itself. However, no skill is superior to the other because a failure in one part will likely put dampness in the other.
Soft skills are personal attributes that enable people to interact and navigate harmoniously with people. For example, a roofing estimator needs soft skills like communication, human relations management, organization, and time consciousness.
Communication is vital because roofing estimators will have to relate their estimates and work to people, including the house owner and the builders. Therefore, a roofing estimator must have good written, verbal, and visual communication skills.
Human relations management is essential in roofing estimation as a roofing estimator will likely have to work with people often. Knowing how to manage different people will make their work go smoothly and help them avoid crises.
The job of a roofing estimator involves the measurement and collation of data. Therefore, organizational skill is vital to prevent issues arising from mix-ups. Also, roofing estimators travel with objects that may be dangerous if used wrong. Therefore, a roofing estimator must know how to organize his bags to not cause problems.
More so, many people are waiting for a roofing estimator’s job output before starting their own work. Therefore, you must finish within the deadline given. Technical skills, such as mathematics and AutoCAD proficiency, are also crucial for roofing estimators.
Roofing estimation requires no formal training, but you must be experienced. Most employers prefer candidates with at least five years of experience. Some may require as many as ten years.
However, the good news is that the experience does not necessarily mean you need to gain it working as a roofing estimator. You can start by interning as a quantity survey assistant. You can also get a job in construction labor, roofing installer’s assistant, or carpenter’s assistant.
Certification is proof of your professionalism and competence. It builds more faith in your brand, allows you to get high-end clients, and allows you to negotiate better pay.
While you do not necessarily need certificates to work as a roof estimator, the more you grow, the higher the requirement. It is, therefore, advised that you get at least one certificate. Some of the best certifications for a roofing estimator are:
The CCM is a construction certification course that is offered by the Construction Manager Certification Institute (CMCI). The certification has been available for more than 25 years, and it is highly revered as it has certified more Construction managers than its counterparts in the industry.
To get a CCM certification, you must have a 2 or 4 years degree with at least 4 years of active responsible-in-charge experience. You can also get it with eight years of field experience with 48 months of responsible in-charge experience.
You can start your application by sending a mail containing your application. However, it will not be processed if all the documents are incomplete. Also, you must provide references from two clients.
The Engineering In Training (EIT) certification is obtained after passing the NCEES Fundamentals Of Engineering Exam. You also have to get a degree from an ABET-Accredited university.
OSHA certification is a program from the Occupational Safety And Health Administration (OSH). OSHA has different certification programs, and they are all assessment based.
We have certified Estimating professionals, also known as Certified cost Professionals. This certification is for advanced professionals.
A roofing estimator job is a highly technical job that requires some soft skills to thrive in it. Although roofing estimator jobs are not so much, they pay well. However, you need skills and education to snatch the available positions, as the competition is high.
This article has discussed, in advance, some of the things you need to put in place to get the job of a roofing estimator.
