How to Find, Grow, or Attract Top Estimating Talent to Scale Your Construction Firm with Chad Prinkey

Fletcher and Chad dive deep into one of the most critical and often overlooked challenges in scaling a commercial construction business: taking the estimating hat off the owner's head.

They explore:

• Why owners must eventually delegate estimating to scale effectively.

• The two main paths: grow an estimator internally vs. recruit one from a competitor.

• Growing your own estimators: Preferred degrees, expected timeline (3–5 years), and how to differentiate between technical estimating and executive pricing strategy.

• When to hold on to pricing and sales as an owner even after hiring an estimator.

• Outsourcing and offshoring estimating work: what works for trades, what doesn’t for GCs, and how relationships remain key.

• How to attract experienced talent from competitors: understanding the top 3 gripes they have—compensation, lack of influence, and burnout in “bid factories.”

• Recruiting strategies: From warm outreach and pain-point probing to long-game relationship building with high ROI.

Key Takeaways:

• Investing in the right estimator—whether a junior you train or a seasoned pro—can unlock millions in revenue growth.

• Don't confuse estimating with pricing or sales. Each has a distinct role and impact.

• Treat outsourced/offshored team members like internal staff: communicate, manage, and integrate them thoughtfully.

• Pay and empower your estimators—they’re often your #1 revenue generator.