Estimator Interview Questions

An Estimator, collects and evaluates a company’s data in order to estimate the costs, resources, and labor needed to produce a service or product. Their duties include performing research, gathering quotations, preparing reports, and monitoring forecast plans.

Whether you're a job seeker preparing to be interviewed for the role of Estimator or an employer preparing to interview candidates for Estimator position, these Estimator interview questions will help you prepare yourself for the job interview session.

Estimator Interview Questions

Below are a list of some skill-based Estimator interview questions.

1. What estimation project are you especially proud of and why?
2. Recall a time you fell behind schedule. What did you do to catch up?
3. Describe a time you managed to reduce costs for a project
4. Has a client ever become upset and wanted to know why they cannot complete a project within a specific deadline or budget? If so, how did you approach the situation?
5. We want to become known for having the lowest costs in our industry. How would you help us achieve this goal?
6. How would you rate your mathematical skills as an estimator? What examples can you provide?
7. What knowledge do you have of one or more industries that you can contribute to your estimation projects?
8. Imagine you work with a team of estimators on a large scale project. If you disagreed with one of them on the process or a cost, how would you handle it?
9. There are many software programs out there that estimators might use to help them figure out costs. What programs are you familiar with?
10. Some professional estimators devise their own methods or ways of thinking about approximations a company might need. Can you tell me what your personal process is like?
11. Many of your cost estimates for a project might be off if something doesn’t go according to plan. In these situations, how do you revise your numbers?
12. Based on your previous experiences as an estimator, who do you find it helpful to consult with to estimate project costs and resource needs?
13. You complete the estimation process and present your client with the projected overall cost needed to complete a project. However, they want to know how to alter the project to support their more limited budget. What do you do?
14. What types of construction projects or business initiatives have you completed estimations for?
15. Are you familiar with the tender process? What information does an invitation to tender give you?
16. Have you worked with any of our suppliers before?
17. I know there are several metrics involved when it comes to making an estimate. Can you take me through some of the most important ones?
18. Our estimator may need to present finished reports to upper management from time to time. How would you ensure these complex documents are understood clearly?
19. As an estimator, you need to be able to provide detailed estimations for a project within set deadlines. How do you manage your time to complete your job duties within deadlines while also maintaining quality estimates?
20. What’s your experience in contractor management?
21. Describe a time you made mistakes in the final estimate report. What did you learn?
22. Tell me about the most complicated project you’ve worked on. How did you analyze its aspects?
23. What would you do if you had to estimate the cost of a project, but you didn’t have access to all of the necessary information?

Estimator Interview Questions and Answers

Every interview is different and the questions may vary. However, there are lots of general questions that get asked at every interview.

Below are some common questions you'd expect during Estimator interviews. Click on each question to see how to answer them.

1. What is Your Greatest Strength?
2. Why Should We Hire You?
3. Why Do You Want To Leave Your Current Job?
4. Are You a Leader or a Follower?
5. What Is Your Greatest Accomplishment?
6. Tell Me About Yourself
7. What is Your Greatest Weakness?
8. Why Do You Want This Job?
9. Do You Have Any Questions for Us?
10. What is Your Salary Expectation?