Gold Seal Credits: 4

Fundamentals of Cost Estimating | Live, Online

Step into estimating with confidence. This hands-on program teaches you to read drawings, build accurate cost breakdowns, and navigate the Canadian tendering process using real project examples. Designed for anyone new to estimating or moving into it from another role, you’ll gain practical skills to support competitive bidding and preconstruction planning across all sectors.

12 Hours

$499.99 excl. GST

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Details

Description

This program suits anyone new to estimating or shifting into it from another position in construction. It develops the ability to take details from construction drawings and shape them into estimates that are accurate, competitive, and aligned with the project’s scope and schedule.
The training walks through the full estimating process, from classifying and measuring the work, to structuring cost breakdowns that are easy to follow, to working through the Canadian tendering process. Real Canadian project examples are used throughout to strengthen blueprint reading, cost component analysis, understanding of market conditions, and knowledge of general contracting practices.
Everything is geared toward practical use on the job. The program prepares participants to contribute directly to competitive bidding and preconstruction planning for industrial, commercial, institutional, residential, and civil projects.

Each component of the program incorporates applied exercises using real project data to ensure relevance to current industry practice. Participants complete blueprint take-offs, classify cost types, develop crew rates, review bid compliance, perform market benchmarking, conduct risk assessments, and prepare preliminary schedules. Exercises replicate the deliverables required in competitive tendering and preconstruction planning environments.

Cancellation Policy

Registration cancellation request/notification received:

Five (5) or more business days before the course: Full refund of registration fees

Less than five (5) business days before the course/day of the course: No refunds. No transfers of registration fee to a future course date.

Substitution of another member of your company/team is permitted up to the course start date for no additional fee.

Note: Unless otherwise stated, every person able to see, hear, and observe the virtual course sessions must be a paid participant. Non-compliance of this requirement will result in removal from the course. Refunds will not be issued to students who are removed from the course for non-compliance of this requirement.

Course Instructors

Doina Dobre, P.Eng., GSC | Emerald Group

Doina Dobre has worked in Canada’s construction industry for close to three decades. She started her career in the field and carried that experience into estimating and project planning, where she has spent most of her time. Her background includes heavy civil, infrastructure, energy, and institutional projects, and she has worked with contractors of all sizes across the country.

She has taken on senior estimating roles, reviewed estimates for accuracy, and supported projects as a consultant. Most of her work has been Canadian, although she has also been involved in a number of international assignments that added a different perspective to her practice.

Through this foundation, Doina has developed an approach to training that is direct and grounded. She focuses on clarity and structure, while linking estimating skills to the larger process of delivering a project. Her sessions draw on real experience and open discussion, providing knowledge that carries into daily practice across the industry.

Detailed Course Outline

Day 1 - Building Estimates from the Ground Up: From Drawings to Defensible Numbers

Understanding and classifying estimate types
Cost type and cost group breakdowns for clarity and traceability
Blueprint reading for cost estimating and quantity take-off techniques
Crew development for self-perform work
Pricing labour, materials, subcontractors, and equipment
Identifying and quantifying project uncertainties
Benchmarking and validating estimates

Day 2 – Navigating Canada’s Construction Landscape and Winning the Work

Structure of Canada’s construction industry and regulatory frameworks
Public and private tendering processes
Bid compliance and documentation review
Subcontractor coordination and resource integration
Market intelligence and benchmarking
Balancing bid competitiveness with cost and schedule risk management

Day 3 – Coordinating Costs and Schedules for General Contracting Success

GC-level multi-trade estimating methods
Managing incomplete design situations and associated risks
Trade scope comparisons and bid package planning
Procurement scheduling and alignment with estimating outputs
Critical path method, float management, and resource allocation
Coordinating cost and schedule to prevent overruns and delays

Who Should Attend?

New or soon-to-be estimators looking for a solid base in estimating and scheduling.
Coordinators, site supervisors, or tradespeople ready to move into estimating.
Junior project managers wanting more strength in preconstruction planning.
Small contractor staff tasked with pricing, bidding, and basic scheduling.
Professionals coming into Canadian construction from other sectors or countries.

What Will You Learn?

Upon finishing the program, participants will be able to:

Work through construction drawings to pull accurate quantities, confirm the scope, and check technical details that affect pricing.
Lay out cost breakdowns for labour, materials, subcontractors, and equipment, using crew setups and pricing approaches that fit the job.
Spot where missing details or scope changes could throw off the numbers, and put steps in place to manage the risk.
Move confidently through Canada’s construction and procurement systems to put together bids that meet requirements and stay competitive.
Tie estimates into workable schedules, applying critical path planning, float tracking, and smart resource allocation.
Turn the estimating and scheduling work into a clear package ready for review by teams, consultants, or clients.