Construction Estimating

An accurate estimate is the first step in selling and building a profitable job. Without an accurate estimate, you can't develop the appropriate sales price for any job, the sales price that allows you to pay all your job costs, cover your overhead expenses and make a profit. Knowing how to estimate a construction job is critical for any remodeling, renovation, or specialty contractor.

Join us as Michael Stone walks us through the process of estimating a construction job. Michael has taught estimating to contractors in 42 different states and Canada, and will walk through the steps that apply to every estimate. 

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Estimating is a lot like gambling. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.

That's not the way it's supposed to be. The purpose of this class is to provide you with a method of estimating that, used consistently, will result in more accurate estimates.

As you progress through seven different projects, each one more detailed, you will explore:

• How to interpret plans as they relate to the existing building
• Recognizing when plumbing or electrical systems need to be resized
• The presence of asbestos or lead
• Load-bearing walls that need to be braced or cribbed
• When a temporary job cover will be needed, and types of cover to consider
• Temporary facilities required for a family living in the building
• Job staging to accommodate the needs of a family
• Clean-up expenses
• Knowing your inspection climate
• Job scheduling
• Dealing with a building owner who
  
  • wants to do some of the work, or
  • wants their relative to do the electrical, or
  • wants to hire their own subs, or
  • wants to supply some or all of the materials.
• And much more.

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How much do you lose on the last estimate you did?

When you know how to mentally build a job, nothing is forgotten. In these classes you start with a small job and build skills. As the jobs become more complex, your skills become more advanced.

You will receive 10-12 forms for your use, along with a number of checklists. These forms and checklists will become your basic tools for all estimates. You can compile your estimate either by hand or using computerized estimating programs in this class, but you still need the forms and checklists. We are teaching a system, a mindset, that works regardless of how the final estimate is compiled.

Details matter

Because the estimator often writes the contract, you will review when to use installed allowance amounts, when to use material allowance amounts, and what the difference is between the two. Specific contract language will be reviewed, along with the risks and benefits.

And since many disputes begin with a comment made by the estimator, and end with the building owner declaring, "But you said . . . ", we will discuss how to prevent being trapped into paying for items that were never part of the job.

15 Hours of Class - On Your Schedule

Each class is 75 minutes long, with an additional 15 minute Q&A session. If you can't attend a live class, no problem. Class videos will be available online to view at your convenience.

Already missed a class? Videos of all classes will be available online to view at your convenience.

Want to watch a class again? Watch the class videos as many times as you wish, whenever you wish. The schedule is yours to set.