Hi everyone,
I’ve been working for 9 months as a Mechanical Estimation Engineer in the MEP field (UAE). I wanted to ask fellow MEP estimators about their experience , especially those who’ve been in this field longer.
Here’s what I currently do:
Since we’re a small team, for large projects, we sometimes skip full takeoff and price directly in the BOQ — unless there are doubts.
I’ve been working for 9 months as a Mechanical Estimation Engineer in the MEP field (UAE). I wanted to ask fellow MEP estimators about their experience , especially those who’ve been in this field longer.
Here’s what I currently do:
- Quantity Takeoff for HVAC, Plumbing, Firefighting, and LPG systems — using PlanSwift, AutoCAD, PDFs, and sometimes manually (taking prints in A2/A1 and measuring using engineering scale, pencil, ruler, etc.)
- I update quantities into BOQ.
- For some projects where the client shares BOQ in PDF, I convert it to Excel and organize/format it.
- I’ve created a few costing sheets and Annexures (documentation list of all references like drawing names, specs, BOQs, etc.).
- I also check new tender documents and identify if any drawings, specs, or BOQs are missing — then inform my colleagues.
Since we’re a small team, for large projects, we sometimes skip full takeoff and price directly in the BOQ — unless there are doubts.
My Concerns:
- I’ve not been involved much in pricing or post-tendering works. During those times, I usually have no tasks and feel idle.
- I want to know: Is this normal for someone in the first year? Was it like this for you when you started? When did you start learning/practicing pricing? How did you become confident with it? What did you do during your "free time" at work?
