How to Train Your Team for Effective Takeoff Estimating?

Your estimating department must have ample knowledge and skills in Takeoff Estimating to stand in the industry. Every cost estimator in your company should be no less than a pro. You must polish and refine your estimator’s capabilities. This article will serve as a handbook of how you can train your takeoff estimators. 

LEARN HOW TO IMPROVE THE TAKEOFF ESTIMATING OF YOUR DEPARTMENT BY TRAINING YOUR EMPLOYEES TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL SO THEY CAN CREATE ACCURATE ESTIMATES! 

Guide Your Team Towards Effective Takeoff Estimating

Conduct Training Sessions 

You must conduct training sessions once a week for your estimators. Make it compulsory for every employee. They must stay up to date with the changing industry trends. You can hire other professional estimators to teach them the craft. Other than that you can also refresh previous information about takeoff estimation. 

You can also arrange practice sessions for fake, simulated takeoff services. 

Encourage Attending Seminars of Takeoff Estimating  

Seminars or webinars should be promoted in the workplace. You need to give your estimators opportunities to equip themselves with knowledge by attending different seminars. Keep yourself updated about different sessions so your estimators can avail the benefits. 

Provide Reading Material and Informative Articles 

You need to make sure that your estimators have access to reading construction material. You can also circulate different construction-related materials in your department. Informative articles can help to boost your estimation process.

Other than that, you can provide a takeoff estimating checklist that estimators are required to carry on projects. This checklist should constitute the important steps in takeoff estimations. Estimators can start to predict the budget while tallying with the checklist. 

Hold Q&A Sessions in the Workplace 

It has been found that asking questions is the most effective way to learn something. Q&A sessions for your estimating department can make a big difference. You can also use these sessions to check for updates on the team. You can review the completed projects and discuss the challenges encountered in them. 

Topics To Cover 

Aim of Estimating Department 

When you hire new estimators for your company, you should hold a session on the aim of your estimating agency. The objectives of Takeoff Estimating Services should be discussed in detail. Your estimators will understand the role they play in your company and how they can aid company growth. Other than that it will also give them motivation to do their very best. 

Complex Case Studies

Assessing different case studies can prepare the estimators for real-life projects. It will enhance their problem-solving skills and give them a boost of confidence. Studying complex case studies is an interesting topic. You can also use your past project as a case study or make up a fake one. Either way, it is extremely beneficial in training your employees.  

Takeoff Estimating Software Training 

The use of takeoff estimating software has become a necessity. In 2024, almost every top estimating agency is using software to accurately calculate cost. You also need to train your cost professionals to make the best use of software. Provide them with all the support needed so they can do their work efficiently. You will also need to do follow-up sessions as cost estimating software is continuously updating. To keep up with the updates, train your professionals. 

Reading and Understanding Blueprints 

Interpreting blueprints is one of the basic skills an estimator should possess. Nonetheless, you can also hold sessions on reading different types of drawings. Understanding these sketches can still be difficult as there are various categories of blueprints. Let’s consider  MEP drawings. There are 12 different types of MEP drawings only. They are used for plumbing, mechanical or Electrical Takeoff. So your estimators should be capable of reading every blueprint.

3D Modelling 

3D modelling is another innovation in the estimation industry. Cost estimators should possess the necessary skills and information about 3D models. You need to hold workshops on 3D modelling and how they can aid the process of takeoff estimation.

Dealing With Client 

Good interpersonal skills may be one of the most important elements of a smooth-running company, yet it is the most overlooked one. A client-centric approach is the best one you can take as an estimating agency. So you must hold workshops and sessions to teach your estimators about how to deal with clients. Interpersonal skills should be treated as a priority in the construction estimation field. 

7) Bid Making 

Creating client-winning bids is an integral aspect of takeoff estimating. Considering how competitive the construction industry is, you also need to train your estimators on how they can create appealing and attractive bids. This will increase your reputation as a company and help it strive. 

GROW YOUR ESTIMATION COMPANY BY APPLYING THESE TECHNIQUES TO ENHANCE YOUR MATERIAL TAKEOFF ESTIMATION PROCESS! 

Final Words 

Takeoff estimating is crucial for creating an accurate financial plan. It informs us about the number of materials needed for the project. Once the accurate quantity is known, it becomes easy to calculate material cost. Thus, material takeoff is the basis for material cost calculation. It is a need of every type of building whether residential or commercial. Every estimator in your department should be adept at conducting takeoffs. So implement and follow these techniques to create effective team takeoff estimators.