Estimating and Bidding

This 5-week course will cover the basics 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.

Format

Online and synchronous

Schedule

5/2/24-5/30/24

Thursdays

6:00pm-8:50pm

Time Commitment

5-weeks

Cost

$395

image of two people on a construction site putting together a bid

Course Modality 

The course is primarily set up as 5 modules delivered over 5 weeks. The weekly class meetings are virtual, live and synchronous; therefore, you can expect to interact with the professor and fellow students.  
 

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.  At the end of the 5 weeks those who have gained the required points will be awarded a certificate of completion.  The certificate will be emailed to the email of record. 
 

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.  

Course Schedule

DateTopic(s)Class Time
5/2024Types of Estimates6:00pm-8:50pm
5/2024The Bidding Process6:00pm-8:50pm
5/2024Quantity Takeoff6:00pm-8:50pm
5/2024Bid Strategies6:00pm-8:50pm
5/2024Using BIM for Estimating & Bidding6:00pm-8:50pm

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

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Instructor

image of Dr. Michael EmmerDr. Michael Emmer received his B.S. in Construction Management, Suma Cum Laude, from Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston in 2002, his M.S. in Construction Science and Management from Clemson University in South Carolina in 2004 and his Ph.D. from the University of Florida’s College of Design, Construction, and Planning in Gainesville in 2009. His areas of research and interest are sustainable construction with a focus in material extraction/reuse and deconstruction, estimating, and is also active in promoting and exploring owner training and productivity in the AEC industry. He has been teaching full-time for over ten years and before that worked in the construction industry for over 25 years in a variety of positions to include laborer, carpenter, carpenter foreman, superintendent, project manager, and owner’s representative.
 
Dr. Emmer is a member of the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) as a trustee, the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), United States Green Building Council (USGBC), City of Attleboro Planning Board & Historical Commission, Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering (AACE), and Housing Works of Rhode Island (HWRI) board of directors.

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