About

1. Technical Estimating Skills Ability to read and interpret: mechanical drawings (plans, sections, details) HVAC ductwork plans piping schematics schedules, legends, and specifications Strong understanding of: pipe sizes, types, and systems duct sizes (rectangular & round) insulation thicknesses, purposes, and materials fittings, valves, flanges, mechanical equipment Experience performing quantity takeoffs for: piping (CHW, HW, DHW, CW) ductwork (SA, RA, EA) mechanical room equipment Knowledge of BOQ creation and labour/material breakdowns 2. Software Skills Required STACK Takeoff Microsoft Excel (formulas, tables, formatting) PDF editing (Adobe, Bluebeam) Nice to Have AutoCAD reading experience RSMeans or similar labour databases Google Sheets/Drive (shared file workflows) 3. Mechanical Insulation Knowledge (We can train this, but it's a huge advantage) Fibreglass pipe and duct insulation Armaflex insulation PVC jacketing Aluminum jacketing Pipe supports, hangers, saddles Mechanical room applications Firestopping basics 4. Drawing & Measurement Skills Calibrating drawings correctly Using layers to isolate mechanical systems Measuring linear footage, SQFT, and counts Identifying the scope of work accurately Understanding drawing scales and revisions Ability to spot missing information and ask clarification questions 5. Mathematical & Analytical Skills Accurate calculation of: linear measurements area and square footage material quantities labour units Ability to apply labour factors Basic cost analysis Strong logic and attention to detail 6. Communication Skills Clear written English (reports, emails, BOQs) Ability to summarize project scope Communicate questions or inconsistencies in drawings. Report progress daily/weekly. Follow structured workflows and instructions 7. Organizational Skills File management (Google Drive, shared folders) Consistent naming and version control Time management (40 hrs/week remote) Ability to meet deadlines Ability to work independently without supervision 8. Work Environment Requirements Stable internet connection Reliable computer capable of handling plans Quiet workspace Ability to work Canadian time overlap (2–4 hrs/day) ⭐ Optional but Valuable Skills If you find someone with these, hire them immediately: Experience with North American construction Experience with mechanical insulation specifically Experience with HVAC sheet metal estimating Experience with firestop estimating (Hilti / 3M systems) Knowledge of Ontario Building Code (very rare but gold) Ability to create labour databases and improve estimating templates