101 Introduction to Construction Estimating is a self-paced online class which is the gateway to more complex and trade specific estimating courses. This online course is designed to help estimators polish their estimating skills and learn the basic skills that are absolutely required to produce successful construction estimates. This class is 100% online. It is important that students keep up with class and not fall behind. It is important that students keep up with class and not fall behind. The class must be completed within 10 weeks as identified in your registration email from the registrar.
101 Introduction to Construction Estimating is a self-paced online class which is the gateway to more complex and trade specific estimating courses. This online course is designed to help estimators polish their estimating skills and learn the basic skills that are absolutely required to produce successful construction estimates.
Modules covered in class include:
Introduction and Orientation. An orientation module to get you started in the course. This module gives you a chance to play with the course tools and features before the course actually begins.
Why We Estimate. This module teaches the many different uses for construction estimates. You will learn that how an estimate is to be used affects estimating methods.
Estimating Skills. There are certain skills and disciplines that all estimators need to develop. This module will discuss each of these skills and provide some guidance on how to develop them.
Estimating Tools, including software, digitizers, guide books, references and other estimating tools.
Different Types and Levels of the Estimate. You will learn how the amount of information available to you and the time you are allowed to prepare the estimate affects the quality and accuracy of your work.
Organizing the Estimate and the Masterformat. How you organize your estimate is almost as important as how carefully you prepare your quantity take off. We will learn about the Masterformat and common organizing methods.
Estimating Materials, quantity take-off procedures, waste factors, and pricing methods are dealt with in this module.
Estimating the Cost and Quantity of Labor. This is the longest module. Have your calculator ready! We will learn about using and developing production rates and how to adjust your estimate for a wide variety of factors that affect production rates.
Estimating Equipment. Quantity take off procedures, pricing, and estimating techniques will be covered along with equipment production rates. Learn how to chose the correct equipment for the job.
Estimating Overhead and Profit Markups. How, when and why to add contingencies. Adjusting the estimate for risk, inflation, and geographic location will be covered.
Estimating Errors. Learn about common errors estimators make and how to avoid making them.
Determining and Using Unit Prices. How to use unit prices effectively. The crew method, what it is and how to use it. Using unit prices for conceptual estimating and for detailed estimating will be covered.
Module | Week |
Orientation | 1 |
Estimating Skills | 1 |
Estimating Tools | 2 |
Reasons for Estimating | 3 |
Levels of the Estimate | 3 |
Organizing the Estimate | 4 |
Estimating Materials | 5 |
Estimating Labor | 6 |
Equipment Costs | 7 |
Markups | 8 |
Avoiding Errors | 9 |
Using Unit Prices | 10 |
Students who successfully complete Introduction to Construction Estimating will learn the basic principles of construction estimating. Topics to be studied include:
- organization of the estimate
- types of estimates
- elements of an estimate
- quantity take off techniques
- pricing techniques
- adjusting the estimate for a variety of variable factors
- estimating labor, materials and equipment
- profit and overhead markups
Upon completing this course the student will understand the different types of estimates and how to organize an estimating document.
This course will build a foundation of knowledge that the student will use while estimating virtually any individual trade or project type.
Participants will be provided with a text book: Construction Estimating and Bidding in Building Construction 2nd Edition, by the Associated General Contractors of America, that they may keep. Text books will be mailed out prior to class starting.