Occ. Code 4360100

 

 

JUNIOR ARCHITECTURAL ESTIMATOR, GRADE 15 

4360100

ASSISTANT ARCHITECTURAL ESTIMATOR, GRADE 19

4360200

SENIOR ARCHITECTURAL ESTIMATOR, GRADE 23

4360300

ASSOCIATE ARCHITECTURAL ESTIMATOR, GRADE 27

4360400

JUNIOR MECHANICAL ESTIMATOR, GRADE 15

4361100

ASSISTANT MECHANCIAL ESTIMATOR, GRADE 19

4361200

SENIOR MECHANICAL ESTIMATOR, GRADE 23

4361300

 

                              

New York State Department of Civil Service

 

Classification Standard

 

                Architectural Estimators determine building construction costs based on completed plans and specifications, involving consideration of quantities and types of material to be included in the structure, pricing of various items, wage rates for various classifications of labor, computing such indirect costs as access roads and field office expenses, and incorporating cost estimates of mechanical and electrical equipment and installations as determined initially by Mechanical Estimators.

 

            The estimator translates the language of the architect and engineer into that of the builder.  Incumbents visualize each step in construction from excavation to landscaping and approach work and determine the most effective and economical method of performing each phase of construction.  For both architectural and mechanical estimators, guides such as manufacturers’ lists, engineering and estimating handbooks and periodicals, and previous construction cost records are available for reference in estimating costs.  Although not concerned with the structural soundness and the function of the building, the estimator, while checking the drawings, may recommend design changes to reduce building costs.  Estimators are also called upon to make comparative studies of construction costs.  Positions in this series work in the office with little or no field work.  Architects and engineers may be assigned to the compilation of architectural and mechanical estimates on a part time basis.  Positions in the Engineering Technician Series or Drafting Technician Series may be assigned to assist estimators.

 

            JUNIOR ARCHITECTURAL ESTIMATOR takes off quantities from building plans and working drawings and makes the necessary gross computations as to the cost of work from unit cost data supplied by higher ranking estimators:  takes off from building plans the gross quantity of building materials and labor costs going into the construction of such standard items as concrete, brick, plaster, and filling and grading work, referring to established guides or to higher ranking estimators for a determination of unit cost, and making extensions and computations to find the total cost involved; computes areas and cubes and extends quantities for estimating purposes; assembles from records and other publications basic raw data on average cubic cost by type of construction and by geographical location.  Assignments are varied insofar as work schedules permit, to give training and experience in the procedures, methods, and tools employed in the preparation of cost estimates.  Supervisors give specific instructions initially and during progress and review the assignment upon completion for accuracy.  QUALIFICATIONS:  Promotion:  One year of permanent service in any engineering or drafting position allocated to Grade 11 or higher, or Open Competitive:  One year of experience in architectural drafting or assisting in architectural work or in building construction cost estimating and three additional years of any combination of the following:  (a) assisting in architectural or engineering work; or (b) college study in architecture or engineering; or (c) technical institute or two-year college study in applied science in a curriculum such as construction, highway technology or pre-engineering.

 

            ASSISTANT ARCHITECTURAL ESTIMATOR makes detailed cost estimates in connection with building construction projects: estimates quantities of labor and materials from specifications; estimates costs of construction per cubic foot for various types of buildings; tabulates cost data; checks quantity and cost estimates prepared by contractors and shown in contracts; reviews the accuracy of quantities and total costs in estimates prepared by Junior Architectural Estimators.  At this level, the preparation of cost estimates, including unit cost, is limited in scope and difficulty because of one or more controlling characteristics such as traditional design, conventional building materials, a minimum of ornamentation, fewer construction complications, a medium sized building involving lesser expenditures of money, etc.  Assignments come from higher ranking estimators who act as advisors to employees of this class at the beginning and during the progress of work and review the final estimate for completeness and accuracy.  QUALIFICATIONS:  Promotion:  One year of permanent service in an architectural or engineering position allocated to Grade 15.  Open Competitive:  One year of experience in preparing and checking building construction cost estimates and five additional years of any combination of the following:  (a) experience in assisting in architectural or engineering work; or (b) college study in architecture or engineering; or (c) technical institute or two-year college study in applied science in a curriculum such as construction, highway technology, or pre-engineering.  Completion of a fifth year of undergraduate study or of one year of appropriate graduate study may be substituted for one year of the required experience.

 

            SENIOR ARCHITECTURAL ESTIMATOR estimates the quantity and price of labor and materials in connection with major and diversified construction and repair projects:  prepares and assembles detailed and difficult cost estimates for all types of building construction projects including quantity and cost surveys of labor and materials; checks recommendations for orders on contract; prepares budget estimates for new construction; makes investigations pertaining to detailed estimates in checking contractor’s proposals; prepares estimates on work undertaken by contractors in excess of contract; reviews and integrates cost figures prepared by lower ranking estimators into gross construction estimates; maintains files of unit cost data for all kinds of building materials; confers with engineers, architects, and architectural and mechanical specification writers and estimators to coordinate the architectural estimating work; prepares data on factors and trends entering into the forecast of building costs and volume of building construction; reviews plans and specifications to determine cost estimates of proposed housing projects; aids communities in estimating costs of housing projects and of re-developments of specific areas; analyzes housing bids and contracts and reviews them for cost.  At this level, cost estimates become more complex and involve many different types of materials and a variety of construction complications due to architectural or structural design.  Also characteristic of the work at this level is the review of quantities, unit costs and other items and estimates prepared by subordinates and outside contractors.  Assignments come from the Associate Architectural Estimator, but are without detailed instructions as to work procedures.  QUALIFICATIONS:  Promotion:  Either (a) two years of permanent service as Assistant Architectural Estimator or (b) two years of permanent service in an architectural or engineering position in Grade 19.  The eligible list consisting of candidates qualifying under option (b) will not be certified unless the list consisting of candidates qualifying under option (a) is exhausted.  Open Competitive:  Four years of experience in preparing and checking building construction cost estimates and four additional years of any combination of the following:  (a) experience in assisting in architectural or engineering work; or (b) college study in architecture or engineering; or (c) technical institute or two-year college study in applied science in a curriculum such as construction, highway technology, or pre-engineering.

 

            ASSOCIATE ARCHITECTURAL ESTIMATOR directs, under general supervision from a Principal Architect, the estimating of quantities and costs of materials (other than mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) used in the construction, alteration, and repair of all State buildings:  receives plans and sketches for specific building projects; confers with architects and engineers concerning estimating requirements and to coordinate the estimating work with the staff of the State Architect’s Office and outside contractors; schedules and assigns specific estimating tasks to subordinates; reviews the work in progress and checks final estimates for accuracy and completeness; advises contractors and the heads of departments of construction proposals; notifies prospective bidders of changes in estimates; supervises the review of contractors’ bids for construction work; confers and corresponds with contractors and manufacturers concerning the cost of material and labor, particularly to suggest ways of saving money in construction materials or methods without sacrificing utility or safety.  QUALIFICATIONS:  Either (a) two years of permanent service as Senior Architectural Estimator or (b) two years of permanent service in an architectural or engineering position in Grade 23.  The eligible list consisting of candidates qualifying under option (b) will not be certified unless the list consisting of candidates qualifying under option (a) is exhausted.

 

            JUNIOR MECHANICAL ESTIMATOR takes off quantities from plans and working drawings for heating and ventilating, plumbing, air conditioning, refrigeration, and other mechanical systems and equipment, and makes the necessary gross computations as to the cost of work from unit cost data supplied by higher ranking estimators:  takes off from mechanical plans the gross quantity of materials and labor costs going into the construction of such standard items as pipes, sanitary fixtures, valves, and other items, referring to established guides or to higher ranking estimators for a determination of unit cost, and making extensions and computations to find the total cost involved.  This is a training position where persons with previous training and experience in mechanical engineering may learn mechanical estimating work under close instruction preparatory to advancement to more responsible work.  QUALIFICATIONS:  Promotion:  One year of permanent service in an engineering or drafting position allocated to Grade 11 or higher, or Open Competitive:  One year of experience in mechanical drafting or of assisting in mechanical engineering work or in mechanical cost estimating and three additional years of any combination of the following:  (a) assisting in mechanical engineering, drafting, or construction; or (b) college study in engineering; or (c) technical institute or two-year college study in applied science in a curriculum such as construction, highway technology, or pre-engineering.

 

            ASSISTANT MECHANICAL ESTIMATOR makes detailed cost estimates of the quantity and price of labor, materials, and equipment for heating, ventilating, and plumbing work on State building construction projects:  receives and reviews construction plans and specifications and prepares general descriptions and sketches of the mechanical work to be done and the equipment and apparatus involved in construction; prepares detailed quantity and cost estimates for materials and labor, checking quantities of detailed mechanical estimates from contractors; prepares detailed estimates for changes in contracts; maintains files of manufacturers’ price list and catalogs; confers with higher ranking estimators on modifications to and/or substitutes for mechanical equipment.  Assignments come from higher ranking estimators who act as advisors to positions at this level at the beginning and during the progress of the work and review the final estimate for completeness and accuracy.  QUALIFICATIONS:  Promotion:  One year of permanent service in an architectural or engineering position allocated to Grade 15.  Open Competitive:  One year of experience in preparing and checking mechanical construction cost estimates and five additional years of any combination of the following:  (a) experience in assisting in architectural or engineering work; or (b) college study in architecture or engineering; or (c) technical institute or two-year college study in applied science in a curriculum such as construction, highway technology, or pre-engineering.  Completion of a fifth year of undergraduate study or of one year of appropriate graduate study may be substituted for one year of the required experience.

 

            SENIOR MECHANICAL ESTIMATOR assists in the supervision of cost estimating for mechanical work in the construction, alteration, and repair of all State buildings with particular emphasis upon heating and ventilating, air conditioning, plumbing, sprinkler systems, equipment for kitchens, bakeries, and laundries, vacuum and air compressor equipment, and power plant boilers and equipment:  prepares and supervises the preparation of quantity surveys and detailed cost estimates of labor and materials; confers with design engineers and specification writers relative to the cost of proposed alternate methods of mechanical design; prepares estimates for proposed projects without complete working drawings, sometimes involving field visits to the site; prepares estimates for work in excess of contract; checks credits due for work to be omitted from contracts; confers and corresponds with contractors and manufacturers concerning the cost of material and labor.  QUALIFICATIONS:  Promotion:  Either (a) two years of permanent service as Assistant Mechanical Estimator or (b) two years of permanent service in an architectural or engineering position in Grade 19.  The eligible list consisting of candidates qualifying under option (b) will not be certified unless the list of candidates qualifying under option (a) is exhausted.  Open Competitive:  Four years of experience in preparing and checking mechanical construction cost estimates and four additional years of any combination of the following: (a) experience in assisting in architectural or engineering work; or (b) college study in architecture or engineering; or (c) technical institute or two-year college study in applied science in a curriculum such as construction, highway technology, or pre-engineering.

 

 

 

Reviewed:  3/04

 

 

 

NOTE:  Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe.  Standards cannot and do not include all of the work that might be appropriately performed by a class.  The minimum qualifications above are those which were required for appointment at the time the Classification Standard was written.  Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for current information on minimum qualification requirements for appointment or examination.

 

These are reformatted versions of existing documents that are now being made available on-line. Non-substantive changes have been made to the previously approved documents for appropriate language and to correct agency and title references.