Why Commercial Buildings Cost Estimating Matters?

Driving career advancement.

In construction, cost estimating for commercial building projects is vital for project success, requiring precision and a general contractor’s strategic perspective. From self-performed tasks to managing supplier and subcontractor scopes, these skills shape budgets and outcomes. Mastering this process provides a critical advantage for advancing your career. If you’re new to commercial building cost estimating, it might seem complex. Don’t worry—this course breaks down the process into manageable steps. Through real-world examples and proven techniques, you’ll gain the confidence and expertise to develop accurate budgets, unit pricing, and validated estimates.

What You Will Learn

    1. 1.1 Course Structure

    2. 1.2 Course Expected Outcome

    3. 1.3 Certification Programs Credits

    4. 1.4 A Word from your Instructor

    5. 1.5 Expected level of Effort to Completion

    6. 1.6 Evaluation Matrix

    7. 1.7 Prerequisite

    8. 1.8 Assignment

    1. 2.0 Introduction

    2. 2.1 Project Scope and Objectives

    3. 2.1 Project Scope and Objectives - Quiz

    4. 2.2 Project Documentation Review

    5. 2.2 Project Documentation Review - Quiz

    6. 2.3 Stakeholder Coordination and Communication

    7. 2.3 Stakeholder Coordination and Communication - Quiz

    8. 2.4 Tender Requirements and Contract Types

    9. 2.4 Tender Requirements and Contract Types - Quiz

    10. 2.5 Bid Closing and Compliance Procedures

    11. 2.5 Bid Closing and Compliance Procedures - Quiz

    12. 2.6 Site and Market Conditions Evaluation

    13. 2.6 Site and Market Conditions Evaluation - Quiz

    14. 2.7 Assignment

    1. 3.0 Introduction

    2. 3.1 Defining the Basis of Estimate (BOE)

    3. 3.1 Defining the Basis of Estimate (BOE) - Quiz

    4. 3.2 Developing a Procurement Plan

    5. 3.2 Developing a Procurement Plan - Quiz

    6. 3.3 Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and Cost Codes

    7. 3.3 Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and Cost Codes Quiz

    8. 3.4 Subcontractor and Supplier Price Management

    9. 3.4 Subcontractor and Supplier Price Management - Quiz

    10. 3.5 Construction Methodology and Sequence Planning

    11. 3.5 Construction Methodology and Sequence Planning - Quiz

    12. 3.6 Historical Data and Benchmarking

    13. 3.6 Historical Data and Benchmarking - Quiz

    14. 3.7 Assignment

    1. 4.0 Introduction

    2. 4.1 Importance of Accurate Quantity Take-offs

    3. 4.1 Importance of Accurate Quantity Take-offs - Quiz

    4. 4.2 Site Conditions and Preparation

    5. 4.2 Site Conditions and Preparation - Quiz

    6. 4.3 Earthworks and Utilities

    7. 4.3 Earthworks and Utilities - Quiz

    8. 4.4 Concrete Works

    9. 4.4 Concrete Works - Quiz

    10. 4.5 Structural and Architectural Elements

    11. 4.5 Structural and Architectural Elements - Quiz

    12. 4.6 Interior and Exterior Finishes

    13. 4.6 Interior and Exterior Finishes - Quiz

    14. 4.7 Mechanical and Electrical Systems

    15. 4.7 Mechanical and Electrical Systems - Quiz

    16. 4.8 Using Digital Tools for Quantity Take-offs

    17. 4.8 Using Digital Tools for Quantity Take-offs - Quiz

    18. 4.9 Assignment

    1. 5.0 Introduction

    2. 5.1 Construction Activities: Detailed Cost Breakdown

    3. 5.1 Construction Activities: Detailed Cost Breakdown - Quiz

    4. 5.2 Labor, Equipment, and Material Costs

    5. 5.2 Labor, Equipment, and Material Costs - Quiz

    6. 5.3 Crew Composition and Productivity Analysis

    7. 5.3 Crew Composition and Productivity Analysis - Quiz

    8. 5.4 Preliminary Budget Development

    9. 5.4 Preliminary Budget Development - Quiz

    10. 5.5 Indirect Costs and Overheads

    11. 5.5 Indirect Costs and Overheads - Quiz

    12. 5.6 Contingency Planning and Risk Allowances

    13. 5.6 Contingency Planning and Risk Allowances - Quiz

    14. 5.7 Cost Estimate Review, Validation, and Presentation

    15. 5.7 Cost Estimate Review, Validation, and Presentation - Quiz

    16. 5.8 Assignment

    1. 6.0 Introduction

    2. 6.1 Identifying and Quantifying Risks

    3. 6.1 Identifying and Quantifying Risks - Quiz

    4. 6.2 Incorporating Contingencies in the Estimate

    5. 6.2 Incorporating Contingencies in the Estimate - Quiz

    6. 6.3 Managing Escalation and Market Volatility

    7. 6.3 Managing Escalation and Market Volatility - Quiz

    8. 6.4 Techniques for Mitigating Estimating Errors

    9. 6.4 Techniques for Mitigating Estimating Errors - Quiz

    10. 6.5 Assignment

About this course

  • $1,040.00
  • Total time commitment to complete this course: 80 hours.
  • Course format: text, presentations, audio, downloadable PDF's.

Collaboration is Essential

The benefit of timely feedback.

All lessons have a dedicated discussion section so you can ask questions, see previously answered questions, interact with other course participants and your instructor. You do not have to go through this learning journey alone or have to ponder on unanswered questions.

Message From the Course Creator

Doina Dobre, P.Eng., GSC

General contractors face distinct challenges in cost estimating for building projects, particularly managing numerous trade contractors. Estimators must ensure proper scope coverage for each trade and carefully review and compare price proposals. This task is complicated by trade contractors qualifying their quotations with varying inclusions and exclusions, making bid comparison for specific scopes of work difficult. Strong cost-estimating skills and experience are crucial to addressing these gaps and choosing the best proposal. This course equips you with industry practices and insights to excel in cost estimating for commercial and institutional building construction. Check out the Instructors tab in the top menu to view Doina's bio.