BLDG 1610 Construction Estimating Basics

Methods for calculating material, labour, and equipment costs for small projects.

About this course

Construction estimating is the foundation of any successful project. In this course, you will learn the methods for calculating material, labour, and equipment costs for small projects. You will work through real-world scenarios, using construction drawings and specifications to build accurate cost models from the ground up.

You will explore how to quantify materials, apply labour rates, and factor in equipment needs. The course emphasizes practical skills, ensuring you can produce clear and reliable estimates that help contractors and builders stay on budget.

Who takes this course

This course is required for students in the following programs:

• Construction Management
• Construction Management (Part-time)

Course details

Credits: 3 · Hours: 45

Prerequisites

• BLDG 1100 Introduction to Construction Materials
• BLDG 1270 Building Systems Overview

Learning outcomes

• Read and interpret construction drawings to identify material quantities
• Calculate labour hours based on standard productivity rates
• Determine equipment costs for specific project requirements
• Prepare a basic cost estimate for small-scale construction projects
• Identify common sources of cost variation and risk

Evaluation