From Cost Drivers to Field Decisions

Build the Labour Insight Behind Realistic Estimates

Labour is the most variable and impactful cost element in construction. This course goes beyond wage rates to show how crew structure, indirects, regional factors, and legislative requirements shape total cost. Whether you are building unit rates, balancing productivity with risk, or responding to market and site conditions, you will gain the practical insight to estimate labour with clarity and confidence.
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What You Wil Learn

Explore the full list of modules and lessons included in this course.

    1. 1.0 Welcome and Orientation

    2. 1.1 Learning Outcomes, Certification Programs Credits, and Time Commitment

    3. 1.2 Evaluation and Course Navigation

    4. 1.3 Assignment – General Knowledge Check

    1. 2.1 Why Labour Costs Are Critical to Estimate Accuracy

    2. 2.1 Why Labour Costs Are Critical to Estimate Accuracy - Quiz

    3. 2.2 Key Definitions and Labour Classifications

    4. 2.2 Key Definitions and Labour Classifications - Quiz

    5. 2.3 Labour Cost Structures in Construction Contracts

    6. 2.3 Labour Cost Structures in Construction Contracts - Quiz

    7. 2.4 Assignment – Labour Cost Types and Definitions Matrix

    1. 3.1 What’s in a Labour Rate? Breaking It Down

    2. 3.1 What’s in a Labour Rate? Breaking It Down - Quiz

    3. 3.2 Union vs. Non-union, Site Conditions, and Legislative Costs

    4. 3.2 Union vs. Non-union, Site Conditions, and Legislative Costs - Quiz

    5. 3.3 Estimating Labour Escalation and Regional Variability

    6. 3.3 Estimating Labour Escalation and Regional Variability - Quiz

    7. 3.4 Assignment – Build a Labour Rate for Two Regions

    1. 4.1 Crew Planning and Functional Roles

    2. 4.1 Crew Planning and Functional Roles - Quiz

    3. 4.2 Production Rates and Output-Based Pricing

    4. 4.2 Production Rates and Output-Based Pricing - Quiz

    5. 4.3 Labour vs. Equipment Balance in Crews

    6. 4.3 Labour vs. Equipment Balance in Crews - Quiz

    7. 4.4 Assignment – Design a Labour-Driven Crew with Production Output

    1. 5.1 What Counts as Indirect Labour?

    2. 5.1 What Counts as Indirect Labour? - Quiz

    3. 5.2 Capturing and Allocating Indirect Labour in the Estimate

    4. 5.2 Capturing and Allocating Indirect Labour in the Estimate - Quiz

    5. 5.3 Risk of Overlap or Underrepresentation

    6. 5.3 Risk of Overlap or Underrepresentation - Quiz

    7. 5.4 Assignment – Apply Indirect Labour to a Scope

    1. 6.1 Common Labour-Related Cost Risks

    2. 6.1 Common Labour-Related Cost Risks - Quiz

    3. 6.2 When to Use Allowances vs. Contingencies

    4. 6.2 When to Use Allowances vs. Contingencies - Quiz

    5. 6.3 Scenario Analysis for Labour Disruptions

    6. 6.3 Scenario Analysis for Labour Disruptions - Quiz

    7. 6.4 Assignment – Labour Cost Risk Table + Contingency Strategy

About this course

  • $738.00
  • 52 lessons
  • Total learning commitment to complete this course: 31 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.
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Master the Fundamentals: Strengthen Your Skills in Cost Estimating Workflow and Methodology

This course is part of the Construction Estimating Workflow and Methodology bundle. Build the full skillset and save 35%, a structured way to learn the complete process.

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