Designed for construction professionals, these courses will introduce you to the methods required to produce accurate and professional cost estimates. You will learn how to review blueprints and project specifications to calculate quantities, compare those quantities with subcontractor submissions, prepare realistic time based projects schedules and estimate costs for a variety of commercial projects.
Introduction to Construction Estimating
The ability to accurately estimate construction costs is one of the most important parts of delivering a successful commercial construction project. Contractors’ profit margins and livelihoods can be significantly impacted if their estimated direct and indirect costs are off by just a little bit.
Estimating is a critical phase of the construction process that mirrors conceptual design, schematic design and design development. It is an integral part of the overall project delivery and a major reason for many projects to involve a professional estimator.
Taking a construction estimation course online will help you develop your skills and knowledge to estimate more effectively for a variety of projects. You’ll learn how to review and interpret construction drawings, plans and specifications and determine unit costs for materials, labour and equipment. You’ll also gain an understanding of the roles of different stakeholders in the bid submission process, including building codes, standards, statutes, regulations, contracts, safety and union labour agreements. Upon completion of this construction estimating training course, you’ll be ready to prepare tender packages and meet bid deadlines.
Quantity Takeoffs
In construction estimating, a quantity takeoff is a process of counting materials required for a project and converting them into cost estimates. Every door knob, floor tile, piece of drywall, piping, length of steel, and even insulation need to be counted and accounted for in the estimate.
This information is used for bidding, procurement planning, and scheduling activities. A full detailed estimate combines a quantity takeoff with cost estimation and is the basis for determining costs, ordering materials, and scheduling construction activities.
Quantity takeoffs can be done manually or digitally, which can impact the amount of time required and accuracy of results. Inaccurate takeoffs are a major cause of project delays and cost overruns.
In order to conduct a quantity takeoff, estimators must review construction drawings or blueprints in detail. They must examine the dimensions, sizes, and specifications of each material or component. Then, they must calculate and record the quantities using a spreadsheet or estimating software program. Finally, they must prepare a comprehensive bill of quantities or material schedule from the information and cross-reference it with the construction plans to ensure accuracy.
Bid Documents
Construction estimators are responsible for preparing the bid documents needed to submit construction project proposals. This process includes reviewing all of the plans and specs, validating the Scope of Work and creating a list of materials (called quantity takeoff) that will be required to complete the building project.
These lists are used to create cost estimates and the bid documents that contractors will use when submitting their proposals. This process also requires the construction estimator to account for every known cost, including materials, labor, insurance, and overhead costs. It is essential that these costs are included in the final estimate.
This course is intended for individuals working in estimating or any individual who wants to become an estimator anywhere in Canada, and in any sector (residential, industrial, commercial, institutional, pipeline, civil). This course has been accredited by the Canadian Construction Association to two (2) credits towards Gold Seal certification upon successful completion. A final mark of 100% is required to receive a certificate of completion.
Change Orders
In construction, change orders are a common and necessary part of the job. It’s important to have a clear and transparent process in place for requesting changes, tracking costs, and communicating these changes with your clients. Change orders should always be in writing and signed by both parties to avoid any miscommunications or disputes down the road.
Learn how to use drawings and specifications to establish a cost structure of materials, labour and equipment. You’ll also explore key concepts related to the bidding process including contracts, legal concepts, estimating tactics, building codes, standards, statues and regulations.
You’ll get hands-on experience in developing a project plan using precedence diagram and critical path methods to prepare realistic time based schedules. You’ll also explore manual and computer software methods for preparing and managing a breakdown of tasks and activities.
Estimating Materials
Whether you’re a large construction company with a full-time estimator or a small builder who performs estimates on their own, everyone in the industry has to understand the importance of material estimation. A materials estimate is a key part of the preconstruction bidding process. Estimates can be performed manually or with a computer. Manual estimates are time-consuming and prone to error, while digital estimating is 80% faster and less prone to errors.
A materials estimate uses drawings and specifications to establish a cost structure for the materials, equipment and labour required to erect a structure. It also explores legal concepts such as building codes, standards, statues, regulations, contracts, safety and union labour agreements that influence the bidding process.
Estimators can use various methods to create a materials estimate, including using the annual cost books that have been in print since the 1940s or RSMeans Data Online which provides cloud-based access to an industry leading construction cost database with advanced features like square foot costs and predictive estimating data. Regardless of which solution you choose, all will help you make more accurate estimates and improve your bid-to-win ratio.