General contractors make hundreds of decisions daily from which subcontractors to hire to calculating change orders, judging how much more time is needed on a site, and how to staff the job. Construction is fast-paced. The need for training through ongoing construction courses is high and falls on the general contractor to ensure his or her crew is prepared and ready for the day. Completing a construction estimating certificate will provide you with key insights, resources, tools, and experience in bid analysis to ensure the best company is selected for the scope. The stress of making the decision can be lessened by approaching the decision with more information, critical practice, and shared insights from other experienced construction professionals. One way to gain an edge in the industry is by completing construction certificate programs.
But is it really worth it? Explore the benefits of these programs, their impact on your career, and whether they’re a worthwhile investment for general contractors.
What Is a Construction Estimating Certificate Program?
Construction certification programs for estimating are a structured series of courses designed to teach professionals how to accurately bid a scope of work, estimate for labor, and equipment, and plan and schedule a scope of work. Students select the best fit five courses out of a possible eight building construction courses to enhance their skills and complete 250 hours of training.
Your options for online construction courses include:
101 Introduction to Construction Estimating 10-week self-paced introduction to the basics of general estimating. The instructor supports students through this basics of estimating course in which students learn more about estimating tools, resources, practices, and methods.
102 Essential Construction Math 10-week self-paced overview of the basics of construction math. Students calculate and complete unit conversions for regular and irregular shapes to find the area, perimeter, volume, and cubic feet of material. The lessons progress in complexity as case studies are introduced for calculating board feet.
103 Construction Blueprint Reading 10-week paced class students with a community of construction students engage in weekly discussions on different plan views, schedules, sections, and details of diverse projects. Each week students engage in self-assessments, discussion, and guided discussion covering residential, commercial, and industrial plan reading.
105 Estimating and Bidding 1 10-week paced hands-on estimating course in which students learn how to use spreadsheet software to organize and record project data and estimate the cost of general conditions, excavation and backfill, concrete and formwork, and masonry.
106 Estimating and Bidding 2 10 weeks of hands-on estimating in which students complete quantity take-offs and bids for structural metals, rough carpentry, roofing and waterproofing, doors, windows, and finishes, in addition to mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. 106 Estimating and Bidding 2 is designed to expand your view and knowledge of what happens in the field.
107 Construction Materials and Processes 10 weeks of learning the product life cycle of commonly used construction materials, the construction process, and an overall construction system. Expand your studies and learn more about sustainable construction practices.
114 Estimating Civil and Site Work Construction 10 weeks of civil engineering estimating, estimating heavy civil construction projects, and site work construction projects. This online class will cover reading and understanding civil construction plans, determining earthwork quantities, determining crew make-up, and fundamentals of estimating various civil and site work components.
205 Planning and Scheduling 10 weeks of guided instruction in creating the construction plan for a commercial project. Discussion takes place around preparing the project plan, communicating the plan, creating the critical path, constraints, and the software used in construction scheduling.
The Benefits of Construction Certification Programs
1. Improved Accuracy and Efficiency
One of the biggest challenges in construction is ensuring estimates are accurate. A construction estimating certification teaches best practices, helping general contractors minimize errors that can lead to costly overruns.
2. Increased Credibility and Trust
A certificate program adds credibility to your resume and business. Clients and employers see professionals with formal training as more reliable and knowledgeable, which can give you an edge over competitors.
3. Higher Earning Potential
With advanced skills and a recognized certificate, general contractors can command higher fees. Employers and clients are often willing to pay more for professionals who can provide precise and efficient estimates.
4. Better Project Management
Understanding cost estimation helps general contractors make informed decisions during the construction process. This leads to better budget control, improved scheduling, and more successful project completion.
5. More Job Opportunities
Many construction firms prefer or require trained estimators. Whether you’re a self-employed contractor or looking for a job with a construction company, completing construction certification programs can open new doors.
Cost Estimating Construction Courses: Results and Benefits
Taking estimating and costing courses results in:
1. Improved Accuracy in Estimates
These online training programs teach techniques and tools for cost estimating, ensuring that the estimating team can produce highly accurate estimates. This reduces the likelihood of underestimating costs, which can lead to budget overruns, or overestimating, which can make your bids less competitive.
2. Enhanced Efficiency and Productivity
Skilled estimators can produce estimates faster and with greater precision. Online training improves their proficiency with practice, examples, and methodologies, allowing them to complete estimates more quickly without sacrificing accuracy, reducing labor costs and allowing for quicker turnaround times for bid preparation.
3. Better Risk Management
Construction projects often encounter unexpected issues that can drive up costs. Training in cost estimating includes risk management strategies, helping your team identify potential risks early and incorporate contingencies into their estimates. This proactive approach minimizes the financial impact of unforeseen problems.
Who Should Enroll in a Construction Estimating Certificate Program?
A construction estimating certificate program is ideal for:
- General contractors looking to improve their estimating skills.
- Project managers and estimators who want to boost their credentials.
- Contractors aiming to expand their business and win more bids.
- Those new to construction estimating who want structured learning through building construction classes.
Learn more about our online construction courses, or contact us with any questions you might have regarding our classes.
Earning a construction estimating certificate will sharpen data analysis skills, improve decision-making, and provide helpful insight for reviewing and improving bids.
