Who is typically responsible for creating an estimate for a job in construction?

The role of creating an estimate for a job in construction is primarily associated with the estimator. An estimator is a specialized position that focuses on analyzing project specifications, requirements, and costs to provide an accurate representation of what a project will entail financially. This includes calculating labor, material, and overhead costs to ensure that bids are competitive yet reflect the true costs involved in completing the work.

While the project manager plays an important role in overseeing the project's execution and may have input into the estimating process, their primary responsibility is more aligned with the overall management and coordination of the project rather than its initial financial assessment. The site supervisor is typically focused on on-site activities and personnel management, whereas the contractor may handle the bidding process and project execution but relies on the estimators to provide the necessary financial details to create accurate bids. Therefore, the estimator's expertise is vital in the budgeting phase of construction projects, making them the correct answer in this context.