When you compare calculator (estimator) vacancies, look at net pay after commuting, not just gross salary. A gross salary of €3,800 a month with a tax-free allowance of €0.23 per km and a 30 km commute leaves about €3,000 net per month after travel costs. The offer calculator above does that sum for every job.
How do you find calculator vacancies?
Estimators are wanted by contractors, installation firms, developers, engineering offices and industrial companies. Adverts therefore appear under different titles: calculator, construction calculator, electrical calculator, work preparer (werkvoorbereider), cost engineer, estimator or estimator/purchaser. Search with several terms and your region, and check the careers pages of companies directly. Trade associations, regional contractors and construction recruiters often list openings that general job boards miss.
What to look for in a calculator vacancy
- Salary and CAO. Is there a gross range? Which collective agreement applies? What is arranged for holiday allowance, a 13th month and pension?
- Travel and lease. A lease car can look attractive but costs you bijtelling. Check it with the Bijtelling Calculator.
- Type of work. Residential, commercial, civil or installation, and the mix of estimating and work preparation.
- Software. Does the company use a modern estimating package and BIM?
- Development. Is there a path to senior estimator, head of estimating or project manager?
Electrical and construction estimator vacancies
In installation technology (electrical, mechanical) the estimator usually works from bills of materials and labour norms, so technical knowledge such as NEN standards matters more than building knowledge. In construction the estimator mostly deals with large specifications, subcontractors and cost breakdown per building part. For the content of the job and a salary indication by experience level, read the guide to the Calculator Job (Estimator).
Comparing net pay and commuting costs
Two vacancies with the same gross salary can differ a lot in net terms. A job 50 km away with a low travel allowance can easily cost you €200 to €400 a month more. A tax-free travel allowance may be at most €0.23 per kilometre, and anything above that is taxed. The tool calculates with 46 working weeks, the net salary from the Netherlands Salary Calculator and shows what you keep per hour worked. For a one-off payment such as a bonus, the Holiday Allowance Calculator gives an idea of how extra pay is taxed.
Applying as an estimator
Show projects you have estimated, with amounts and accuracy (the gap between estimate and actual cost). Mention the software you master and the types of work. When negotiating, know the net amount you are asking for with the Netherlands Salary Calculator. If you are made redundant or receive a settlement, use the Transitievergoeding Calculator.
How to use this calculator
- Enter the gross monthly salary from the vacancy and whether holiday allowance is included.
- Add the commute distance, office days and the employer’s allowance per km.
- Enter your own cost per km, around €0.30 for a car.
- Press Calculate and compare net pay after travel between vacancies.
Key figures at a glance
| Search terms | calculator, construction estimator, electrical estimator, werkvoorbereider, cost engineer |
|---|---|
| Tax-free travel allowance | max. €0.23 per km |
| Calculated with | 46 working weeks per year |
| Compare | Net after travel, not just gross |
Frequently asked questions
On job boards, on the careers pages of construction and installation firms, and via trade associations and construction recruiters. Search under several job titles.
Here, a tool that compares job offers on net pay after commuting costs.
Electrical estimating focuses on materials and hours for installations, construction estimating on specifications, subcontractors and building parts.
At most €0.23 per kilometre. A higher allowance is taxed.
At €3,800 gross a month, roughly €3,080 net, minus your own travel costs. Use the calculator for your situation.