Estimating and Bidding

Course Description

The course is primarily set up. Unlock the keys to project success with our intensive 10-week Estimating and Bidding course!  Dive deep into the art and science of accurately assessing project costs and crafting winning bids that set you apart from the competition. Led by an industry expert, this course equips you with the tools, techniques, and insider insights needed to navigate complex bidding landscapes with confidence. Whether you're a seasoned professional looking to sharpen your skills or a newcomer eager to break into the field, our course offers invaluable knowledge to propel your career forward. Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your estimating prowess and transform your bidding strategy. Enroll now and position yourself for success in today's competitive construction industry. 

The course will cover the basics of of advanced building estimating to include but not limited to unit price cost estimating; quantity takeoff; labor; material; equipment; and computer applications. Bid strategies, productivity, and value engineering will also be examined in the course.

Course learning Outcomes (CLO)

1. Understand the principal role of the estimator.
2. Read and interpret bid documents.
3. Recognize different types of estimates and their uses.
4. Perform quantity takeoffs and generate detailed estimates.
5. Determine labor and equipment costs.
6. Describe different bidding methods, agreements, overhead, profit, and bid strategies.
7. Explain how to categorize direct and indirect costs.
8. Understand labor productivity in various segments of construction projects.
9. Visualize and understand the construction process through site visitation.
10. Create construction estimates from a Revit model.
11. Demonstrate the ability to utilize estimating software.
12. Demonstrate the ability to utilize cost data bases.
13. Participate in the estimating process as a team member.
14. Understand the role of ethics in the bidding process.

Topics covered in course

• Types of estimates
• Quantity takeoff
• Labor and equipment costs
• Bidding methods
• Productivity
• Categorizing costs
• Estimating software
• Bidding a lob
• Bid strategy
• Bid follow-up

Course Modality 

The course is primarily set up as 10 modules delivered over 10 weeks. The weekly class meetings are virtual, live and synchronous; therefore, you can expect to interact with the professor and fellow students.  Class runs virtually on Thursdays from 6:00pm-8:50pm.

Student Engagement and Participation

This course is rigorous and requires attendance, participation and submission of assignments.  Please allot time for readings, reviews, and completion of those assignments. Please note that this course does not grant a certificate at the end. See Certificate in Construction Management below for details on pursuing a certificate in Construction Management.   

Course Pre-requisite

At a minimum, registrants must have basic skills in Microsoft Excel and Word (such as creating and utilizing a spreadsheet, maneuvering columns and rows).   If a refresher is needed on that subject, please review videos on YouTube and/or LinkedIn Learning.  

Register for the Estimating and Bidding course.

Certificate in Construction Management

Although completion of the Estimating and Bidding course does not grant a certificate, those wishing to obtain a certificate in Construction Management must (a) complete the Fundamentals of Construction Management course, and (b) complete three (3) elective courses in construction management. Please visit our Construction Management program webpage for more information on the requirements to complete a certificate in Construction Management. 

Questions? Reach out!

Everyone has questions.

Our Pathway Specialists are here to help. Contact EXT Admissions at ucadmissions@rwu.edu