105

Estimating and Bidding 1
Class Syllabus

Introduction
Prerequisites
Learning Objectives
Class Organization and Grading
Grading Policies
The Weekly Syllabus
Withdrawl/Refund Policy
Back to Online Classes

The cost of this course is $410 for ASPE members and $440 for non-members. The textbook and course materials are included in the price of the course. Students outside of the continental United States will be required to pay additional shipping and handling for the textbook. Call the ASPE Society Business Office toll free at 1-888-378-6283 with questions.

Introduction

The Certificate in Construction Estimating program includes this class. The class is a paced, 10 week long online class. Students choose their own class hours but must complete a certain amount of work each week. Activities the student will participate in include discussions using a bulletin board, weekly online quizzes, and frequent estimating assignments.

Top

Prerequisites

To do well in this course you should already have the following skills.

Know how to read blueprints
Know how to use a spread sheet software such as Microsoft Excel, Lotus 123, or Quattro Pro
Have a basic knowledge of construction estimating subjects including:

- Basic math skills
- Estimating terminology (quantity take off, unit price, production rate, etc.)
- Use of the calculator and architectural scale
Be able to organize your work so it can be easily understood by others

Students will need the following materials:

A calculator
An architectural scale
A couple of colored pencils
A spreadsheet program (Excel, Lotus 123, or Quattro Pro)

You should consider taking Introduction to Construction Estimating and/or Construction Blueprint Reading if you feel you need more information in these areas before taking this class. Those courses are not prerequisites but you will fall behind quickly if you lack these skills.

Top

Learning objectives:

By the end of this class you should be able to:

Estimate the cost of general conditions
Prepare quantity take off of excavation and backfill
Prepare a quantity take off of concrete, and formwork.
Use unit prices to price your estimate
Prepare a quantity take off and conceptual estimate of masonry work

Top

Class Organization and Grading

The following table lists the learning modules, the maximum value in points a student can receive within each module, and the time in which the modules must be finished.

Module	Point Value	By End of Week
0. Student Orientation	0	Before start
1. An Overview Of Estimating and Bidding	30	1
2. Planning and Organizing the Estimate	30	2
3. Estimating General Conditions	30	3
4. Estimating Labor and Equipment	30	4
5. Estimating Sitework - Excavation	30	5
6. Estimating Sitework - Utilities and Other Site Amenities	30	6
7. Concrete Estimating 1 - Footings and Foundations	30	7
8. Concrete Estimating 2 - Slab on Grade	30	8
9. Concrete Estimating 3 - Columns, Walls and Systems	30	9
10. Estimating Masonry Construction	30	10
Total Points	300

It is important that the student keep up with the class and not fall behind. Course modules will be made available to students on Sunday of each week. Class work must be completed before the following Monday. Students will not be able to work ahead of the class although reading assignments will be made available in advance. Actual dates that modules will become available will be posted in advance on the course calendar.

Top

Grading Policies

Graded assignments will consist of one quiz for each module and participation in at least two class discussions. Each quiz will count 10 points, class discussions will count 10points, and the weekly assignments will count 10 points per module. You can see that I consider class discussions to be a very important part of this course. For that reason, the regular weekly discussions are even more important than the weekly quizzes. Students should provide at least the minimum indicated contributions to the class discussions each week to gain the maximum points.

Grades will be posted on a weekly basis. You will have full access to your grade sheet so you will be able to keep track of how you are doing at all times.

Your overall grade in the course will be determined by the total number of points you have accumulated on quizzes and assignments. The grading scale is as follows:

A 270 to 300 points
B 240 to 269 points
C 210 to 239 points
D 180 to 209
E Anything less than 180

You will be given more information about the grading and other course matters in the Orientation Module.

Top

Detailed Syllabus

Module
0. Student Orientation. Learn about the course, how to get a good grade, how to communicate with the instructor and how to use the course tools.
1. An Overview Of Estimating and Bidding. Meet your fellow classmates. Learn what it takes to be an estimator and practice your spreadsheet skills.
2. Planning and Organizing the Estimate. Learn how to organize estimating information. You will prepare an estimate summary and a project fact sheet. Learn how to avoid estimating errors and how to prepare the quantity take off.
3. Estimating General Conditions. Learn how to estimate general conditions.
4. Estimating Labor and Equipment. We will practice the fundamentals of estimating and pricing labor and equipment.
5. Estimating Sitework - Excavation. Learn about dirt work and prepare an earthwork estimating assignment.
6. Estimating Sitework - Utilities and Other Site Amenities. Learn about paving, underground utilities, and other sitework.
7. Concrete Estimating 1 - Footings and Foundations. Learn concrete estimating fundamentals and prepare an estimate of concrete foundations.
8. Concrete Estimating 2 - Slab on Grade. Learn quantity take off techniques and prepare a concrete slab estimate.
9. Concrete Estimating 3 - Columns, Walls and Systems. Learn about estimating complex formwork and concrete placement.
10. Estimating Masonry Construction. Learn how to estimate masonry, brick, and stone installation.

Top

WITHDRAWAL POLICY

You may withdraw from a course by sending an email to PSmith@aspeNational.org or by conventional mail requesting to be dropped from the course. Non-attendance or notifying the instructor does not constitute officially dropping or withdrawing from a course. Students who stop attending courses without officially dropping will receive a grade of U in the class. Refunds are not automatic. NO refunds are due unless the course is officially dropped within stated guidelines in the refund schedule.

Refund Schedule

a.	Withdrawal postmarked at least one working day before the first day of class – total fee less a $20 handling fee.
b.	Refund requests postmarked on or after the first day and no later than two weeks after the first day of class will be refunded 65% of the fee, after which time there is no refund.
c.	Decision on withdrawals and refunds will be based on the date when the ASPE Society Business Office receives written withdrawal notice. Drops done by mail are effective as of the postmark date.
d.	All course materials including the textbook and other included supplies must be returned in their original conditions, shrink wrap unbroken, or a $100 charge will apply.