Cost Estimating Survey Results
Yes, the survey results are in!
A little while ago, I send out a survey to my LinkedIn connections. I wanted to see how well the cost estimating career is serving us, the cost estimators, through some slow economic times. From personal experience, cost-estimating jobs are not as volatile as other technical positions within the construction industry. In slow economic times, companies are very busy bidding work to keep going. Some companies are busy again during good economic times and bidding work to compensate for the slow times. And the cycle continues.
I also wanted to gather data that would confirm the interest in construction cost estimating training, or lack thereof. I have been developing an online cost estimating course, and the survey data is quite encouraging. More than 50% of the survey participants said that they are considering registering for cost estimating courses, and 40% of participants are considering achieving professional accreditation/certification.
The challenge: I have to position my course as better than what is offered elsewhere. I have been working on the development of this course for the past eight months. I researched the courses which are currently offered online by other parties; I talked with individuals who are considering learning cost estimating and with some who have already completed cost estimating courses. My findings are consistent with a lack of proper understanding of the cost-estimating knowledge foundation.
Any fool can know. The point is to understand. – Albert Einstein
As for the survey, I would like to thank everyone who participated. Click HERE to see the survey results for your enjoyment. The data below is interactive, so please feel free to make your own selection of data and change the display. The survey will stay open. If you want to take the survey, click HERE. Come back and take another look at the graphs, as they will keep updating as the survey results are added in.
What do you think about the results? Is the data shown here reflective of your own situation? Please leave your comments below. Share your thoughts with the rest of us!
