Growing a business in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) sectors can be very difficult. A construction company that wants to expand on bigger projects may find that even with talented personnel and a solid track record, getting precise construction cost estimates still can be a major obstacle.

An accurate estimate is very important because it will avoid budget overruns, reduce time consuming project setbacks, and remove unforeseen expenses or change orders. Therefore, to handle cost estimation successfully, it’s necessary to bring in the right expert to do the job.

However, how can America find the right experts for this scope of work when the USA is currently facing labor shortages? According to an article from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which you can find in the link below, some states are particularly impacted by these shortages.

News Article Link with the headline “Understanding America’s Labor Shortage: The Most Impacted States”:

https://www.uschamber.com/workforce/the-states-suffering-most-from-the-labor-shortage

Florida is one of the states with a “more severe” worker shortage index. According to another article from the Tampa Bay Times, titled “Florida’s Labor Shortage Spans a Wide Range of Industries,” industries such as construction, restaurants, hotels, roofing, landscaping, and farming are among the hardest hit.

News Article Reference:

https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2023/10/08/labor-shortage-industries-unemployment-rate-growth-aging-migrant/

The article highlights that the construction industry in Florida, which encompasses Architecture and Engineering (AEC) companies, is severely affected by labor shortages. Consequently, many AEC companies are turning to cost effective freelance services or outsourcing estimating services

However, both clients and freelance cost estimators face common issues with outsourced cost-estimating services:

Issues Clients Face Outsourcing

• Inaccurate estimates because the freelance construction estimating service provider has less knowledge & experience in the industry.
• Some clients find that their outsourced work doesn’t meet expectations and requires major revisions or increased material costs due to lack of screening
• Confidentiality of client’s information.
• Difficulty in merging the outsourced estimating project with existing systems can create inefficiencies.
• Freelancers are not always accessible for meetings and reviews.

Issues Outsourced Personnel Face

• Lack of stable employment, and jobs can end unexpectedly.
• Compensation may not be competitive and lacks the benefits of fully dedicated positions.
• Freelancers have no sense of belonging to the client’s company.
• The workload and turnaround time can be inconsistent or unpredictable since freelancers are not fully committed to the client’s business.
• At Remote AE, we offer a solution. We find, recruit, and manage talent based on your AEC staffing needs.

At Remote AE, our virtual assistants are highly skilled professionals with a minimum of 5 years of experience, recruited from top talent within the Architecture and Engineering fields. This ensures they possess strong organizational skills, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple tasks—essential qualities for top-notch virtual remote assistants.

Why do Clients Benefit from Remote AE

• Remote AE provides dedicated staff as an extension of your team.
• Clients have direct access to their virtual assistants and can easily call for a meeting, review, or revisions.
• Our professional service fees are more affordable than outsourcing construction estimating services to individual freelancers or an estimating company.
• Remote AE has a 3-phase screening process and standard of operations (SOP) to follow.
• Outsourcing will feel like insourcing since your virtual assistant is part of the Remote AE team.

Why Remote AE is Better for Candidates

• Remote AE offers better advantages than typical freelance positions.
• Candidates will gain a sense of belonging to the client’s team.
• Improved work stability and efficiency since the workload is well distributed.
• Candidates get to enjoy a competitive salary and the advantages of fully dedicated roles.
• Remote AE offers job stability & growth opportunities.
• Candidates gain international exposure, enhancing their skills and learning.
• Candidates will not get lost in the process since Remote AE facilitates the entire process.

At Remote AE, we tailor our staffing solutions to your specific needs, ensuring that every virtual assistant we place meets your exact standards. Our priority is to give you the best service to consistently support your business and its growth.

If you are a client seeking improved and more reliable outsourced cost-estimating services, Book a consultation with Remote AE today.