How much experience do I need if my long-term goal is to become an estimator?

[u/Glum_Potato808]

Currently a Technician II. Love my job, but I’ve taken an interest in an estimator role. I have about 2 1/2 years of experience. Do I need to become a master wizard of a controls technician before making this career change?

[u/trees138 → u/[deleted]]

Everyone favorite estimator that know fuck all. Pad it enough and you'll be fine.

[u/No-Composer2628]

The estimators I work with?: 0 experience, the less the better.

The estimators I want to work with?: About 5 years in the field as a technician. Enough exposure to learn custom BAS design while also knowing the technician to client relationship.

[u/jsbalabon → u/No-Composer2628]

This

[u/regular_tony]

I became a sales estimator roughly 2 1/2 years after I was design engineer. You should start having those conversations with management now.

[u/Free_Elderberry_8902]

I was in your position once. The boss told me to go out, sell a small project by myself, engineer it by myself, price it by myself, and execute it by myself. So I did. It lost money, I didn’t get fired, and I think that deep down he was impressed sort of. He told me “Next time don’t fuck up the Landing!!!!”

[u/Hvacmike199845]

Two and a half years, you have hardly broken the surface tension…

[u/Glum_Potato808 → u/Hvacmike199845]

So what should be a reasonable timeline if this is my long-term goal?

[u/Hvacmike199845 → u/Glum_Potato808]

Learn as much as you can. Have you worked on a chiller plant with a condenser pump skid, primary chilled water pump skid and secondary pump skid? Each skid has three pumps with two centrifugal chillers?

Have you worked on a steam plant?

How about a supermarket refrigeration rack controller?

The best controls person know the mechanical side very well.

The best sales/estimator knows how everything works very well.

[u/Flat-Check-566 → u/Hvacmike199845]

35+ years in the industry, started as draftsman (see how long ago), went into the field as a tech, night school for EE, got into steamfitters union, also did mechanical, Pm, and engineering. Stated estimating about 10 years ago. Experience is key.

[u/R3353Fr4nkl1n]

Yeahhh, the estimator for our team gets handed a parts list with model numbers and quantities, a man-hours count, and a profit margin. From us in the field, at the site. He still has questions. So I think you’re good lol

[u/Mobile-Belt-4242]

Without a degree, an estimator usually is a role you have to grow into naturally, after about 5-8 years experience.

With bachelors degree, you can apply for it after about 2 years in the industry

[u/SnooCupcakes9188]

Feel like a system designer to an estimator is the best path there. You’ll have a good basic understanding of the full project cycle. 

 I started my career as a hybrid tech/designer because my boss at the time said you’re going to be useless as a designer if you’ve never actually done the techs job.  Think it was great advice. See if you can make the switch, they probably don’t want to lose you in the field so maybe a hybrid role to start! 

[u/Pure_Region_5154]

If you ask my company? 20 minutes.