A full-time construction estimator in the US generally earns $75,000–$120,000 annually, with an additional 25–30% for benefits, payroll taxes, software, and other overhead expenses — bringing the total yearly cost above $100,000. A Get Ninja remote estimator comes with a simple flat monthly rate that costs a fraction of that, without benefits, overtime, payroll complications, or unexpected per-sheet charges. Most clients reduce their estimating expenses by 60–70%.

Our estimators support residential, commercial, and specialty trades — including general contracting, framing, concrete, drywall, roofing, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, mechanical, civil, and site work. Whether you’re bidding single-family homes, multi-family projects, light commercial, ground-up construction, or specialty subcontractor scopes, we’ll pair you with an estimator whose experience aligns with your specific work.

• Yes. Every Get Ninja estimator receives training in US construction practices, including CSI MasterFormat divisions, imperial measurement units, American building codes, and standard regional bidding requirements. We never assign estimators who are only familiar with metric or international standards to US contractor accounts.

A typical workweek includes:

• Digital takeoffs from PDF or printed plans.
• Quantity surveys and bid comparisons.
• Scope sheet development.
• Subcontractor quote tracking and follow-ups.
• RFI tracking and vendor pricing updates.
• Estimating database management.
• Bid submission preparation.
• Change orders, value engineering, and post-bid analysis.

The initial placement process typically takes around 3 business days after your discovery call. Your estimator then follows a structured 3-week onboarding period to understand your projects, software setup, bidding process, and subcontractor relationships. Most clients have their estimator completing real, billable takeoff work by weeks 3–4, with full productivity reached by weeks 5–6.

You’re covered by two protections: First, our 30-day money-back guarantee means that if you don’t see meaningful bid output during your first month, we’ll issue a refund. Second, our replacement guarantee remains active for the life of your account — if your estimator isn’t the right match at any stage, we’ll replace them at no additional cost.

There are several reasons contractors choose this route: the US estimating talent market is competitive, with roughly 3 open estimator positions for every qualified candidate, while experienced estimators are highly sought after. Hiring can take 3–6 months and may cost $5K–$15K in recruiting expenses and lost productivity. A remote estimator addresses your capacity needs within days rather than months, costs 60–70% less overall, and arrives pre-trained. Many clients also use remote estimators alongside their in-house teams to manage overflow during peak bidding seasons.