It begins by analyzing all potential expenses necessary for completing the project, including direct and indirect costs and the profit margin. A direct cost is any expense traced directly to any activity or task directly related to the building project. These include a myriad of different expenses estimators must track, including;

  • Labor Costs: This expense includes all worker salaries and hourly wages. It covers things like the foreman’s earnings, as well as everything the day-to-day builders make. Often, it’s the largest direct cost for many builders and requires careful analysis.
  • Materials: Construction experts must include all material expenses in their estimates to provide their clients with an accurate understanding of their costs. These include any charges for rented or owned equipment, such as levelers and bulldozers. 
  • Other Expenses: Builders must also include subcontractor payments, payroll taxes, workers comp, PTO, health insurance, pension, and 401k matching in estimates. All permit and licensing fees and site preparation expenses are also covered.

Indirect costs include subtler business elements required to run a construction firm. These include expenses like general overhead (office rent, utilities, supplies, etc.), administrative salaries, office equipment and furniture, software licenses, travel expenses, quality control, legal expenses, corporate communications, loan interest, insurance premiums, and taxes. Direct and indirect expenses constitute a company’s overhead, which cuts heavily into its profit margin. 

But what exactly is a profit margin? It’s what a contractor earns from a project after they’ve paid their overhead. Let’s say they complete a massive building that earns them $1,000,000 before expenses. However, their overhead adds up to $750,000. As a result, the profit margin for that specific project was $250,000. In other words, that’s the money the company made after covering all their expenses, such as labor, material, tax, licensing, and site preparation costs. 

Most construction firms hire specialized estimators who create detailed, line-by-line analyses of each project’s expenses. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these professionals make around $74,740 annually or $35.94 per hour. They receive some on-the-job training and often work in office settings, though they typically must visit construction sites as well. Thankfully, multiple training teams can provide hands-on education for people interested in this field. 

Top Live Online Construction Estimator Certificate Programs

Studying construction estimation in a virtual training program is a surprisingly fun, engaging, and even exciting experience. It will teach learners all about this unique process, including direct and indirect cost analysis, profit balancing, and much more. Classes include multiple theoretical lessons and practical exercises that build a student’s job understanding. Thankfully, companies like VDCI and Noble Desktop offer strong and reasonably priced estimation courses.

PFC 121 - Introduction to Construction Estimating

The Visual Design and Construction Institute (VCDI) provides multiple construction estimating courses that help learners understand this subject and prepare for a career with only a few weeks of training. This class offers 20 hours of education and three hours of on-demand video spread out over a three-week curriculum. Learners can study 100% online, meaning anyone who has a computer and a strong internet connection can learn how to become an estimator. 

During their lessons, students study blueprint reading, construction documentation, estimating, material takeoff, and proposal writing. Once they’re done, they’ll have a completion certification and a portfolio of work they can show off to potential employers. Even better, they can join the VCDI Student Lounge to talk with instructors, current students, and VCDI staff to learn more about this subject and walk away confident in their understanding of its expansive scope. 

PFC 101 - Blueprint Reading for Residential Construction 

In this 10-hour VCDI course, students will take three weeks to learn all about reading residential construction blueprints. With four hours of on-demand video at their fingertips, students can study their lessons repeatedly until they feel comfortable with them. Even better, this beginner-level course prepares graduates for more complex programs, including commercial construction blueprint reading. Transitioning to these advanced classes will reinforce their skills.

Necessary skills they’ll master in this program include blueprint analysis, construction specifications and documentation, building plans, and general blueprint knowledge. It’s designed to help trade experts, drafters, designers, and estimators better understand blueprints and use them effectively. Estimators, in particular, benefit from this course because they’ll rely so heavily on building plans to create detailed, accurate, and fair estimates for their customers.

PFC 102 - Blueprint Reading for Commercial Construction 

VCDI also offers this beneficial program to teach learners how to read blueprints and use them when planning construction projects. This three-week course includes 20 hours of lessons, including 6.5 on-demand video hours. Like all VCDI programs, it takes place entirely online, utilizing flexible scheduling options. That means students can study when they want as long as they meet their due dates for the various activities, tests, and exams throughout this course.

They’ll learn skills such as blueprint reading, blueprint drawing, construction specifications, building documentation, project plan understanding, and more. Students master these techniques not only through video sessions with multiple teachers but also through interacting with fellow students in the VCDI Student Lounge. When done, they qualify to enroll in VCDI’s AutoCAD courses, which can further increase their knowledge and estimator job readiness.

BIM 101 - Introduction to Revit

Taking about 30 hours to complete while providing 6.5 hours of on-demand videos, this three-week VCDI class teaches students about Revit, a powerful 3D building modeling tool. While used mainly by AutoCAD specialists and architects, it’s also a great skill for construction estimators to know. Understanding this heavily used software will make it easier for them to create in-depth and practical estimations for each project by letting them analyze each plan. 

Throughout this course, students will not only learn Revit but also BIM modeling, documentation, Autodesk Revit architecture, general architecture design, and collaboration skills. Each class comes with source Revit files and videos that help students learn more about this software. There are also quizzes that help reinforce student knowledge and discussion forums where they can interact with their fellow learners and walk away confident in their skills.

CFC 121 - Construction Management I

Understanding general construction management can help estimators know what goes into planning a project. In this way, they can provide better and more accurate estimations for their customers. In this 20-hour VCDI course, learners get five hours of videos, various activities, and quizzes that help reinforce their knowledge. With flexible learning times, multiple payment options, and other benefits, students can build their knowledge and become better estimators.

Each lesson reinforces essential skills that help these construction experts do what they need to stand out. For example, they’ll study design, construction, project planning, site logistics, document control, industry sectors, and construction insurance. All these topics reinforce their general knowledge and make it easier to produce better estimates. Just as importantly, it gives them a firmer grounding in this market and makes them more attractive potential hires.

CAD 101 - Introduction to AutoCAD

While CAD (computer-assisted drafting) might only seem tangentially related to construction estimating, it’s still an excellent skill for people in this field to master. Knowing how to use this software or at least understand it can help estimators better understand building plans or even create them with their team. In this 30-hour course, students will spend three weeks understanding the basics of AutoCAD, the leading computer drafting software on the market. 

In this VCDI course, students will not only study AutoCAD but learn more about general CAD design and drafting. Furthermore, they’ll study essential architecture tools, practice dimensioning, and learn a little about architectural design. While they won’t become skilled architects in this course, they’ll know just enough to understand building design processes. They can then use this to create more accurate, detailed construction estimates.

C3D 201 - Intermediate Civil 3D: Surveying and Mapping

In this advanced VCDI course, students will study Civil 3D, an important design tool that helps them complete civil project designs, such as surveying and mapping. While not 100% essential for all construction estimators, it’s a good option for anyone interested in working on civil projects. It takes about 30 hours to complete over three weeks and includes a 100% online design. In this way, learners can reinforce their skills and get ready for an exciting career.

Throughout each lesson, students will study things like AutoCAD Civil 3D, grading models, point data, survey information, and plan production. They must finish CAD 101 and CAD 201 to take this course, which can help build their skills and ensure they understand this software. When they’re done, they’ll have a portfolio of work and a certificate to share with potential employers. Those benefits are great for students because they help them stand out from other applicants.

AutoCAD Bootcamp 

Noble Desktop offers high-quality courses on various tech-related subjects, including computer programming, software development, drafting, Microsoft Office, and even artificial intelligence. With well-curated classes that focus on quality, as well as teachers who truly know their stuff, Noble offers terrific learning opportunities for serious students from all walks of life. AutoCAD Bootcamp is a suitable course for people interested in becoming construction estimators. 

In this 30-hour course, they’ll study multiple subjects, including producing 2D drawings and the ways AutoCAD can be used in estimating. For instance, they’ll learn to use AutoCAD’s material estimator tools to know what each project might need. As they attend virtually, they’ll interact live with their professor, chat with fellow students, and get support to reduce their errors. In this way, learners can walk away ready to tackle just about any estimation project with relative ease.

AutoCAD Certification Program 

In this Noble Desktop course, learners will take three classes that total 48 hours. Even better, they get six hours of private tutoring in two three-hour sessions that reinforce a student’s knowledge by focusing on specific areas where they might struggle. Once they complete the course, they can take the Autodesk Certified in AutoCAD for Design & Drafting exam to prove their expertise. Even better, they’ll have not only a certificate of completion but a work portfolio. 

Understanding AutoCAD helps graduates deeply understand construction and design processes when estimating. For instance, they can use AutoCAD to draft plans for building projects. Just as importantly, they can work alongside more skilled architects with this software to calculate potential expenses. Even if they don’t design buildings themselves, knowing this program can make it easier for them to create detailed estimates that customers can grasp quickly.

Certificate in Construction Estimating

Provided by Estimating Academy, this course helps field workers transition to a more office-oriented job by teaching them essential estimation skills. It also helps competent construction specialists solidify their knowledge and get proof of their expertise to share with new employers. Courses take place over about three weeks and are scheduled for four periods a year. These include January, April, June, and October sessions spread throughout the year. 

This certificate includes several courses to reinforce and solidify a learner’s understanding. Subjects like basic estimating math, plan reading, construction processes, bidding, building processes, and construction materials give students a deeper look at this subject. Classes are available individually, though students save money and time by completing the program in one bundle. Doing so gives them a certificate to share when looking for work in this specific field. 

ASPE Certified Professional Estimator 

The American Society of Professional Estimators (ASPE) offers this certification from the Council of Engineering and Scientific Speciality Boards (CESB) to help skilled specialists show off their skills and gain recognition for their hard work. This certification is technically not a class, as students are recommended to take or be pursuing a two- or four-year construction degree and have a minimum of one year of estimating experience. Instead, it highlights their abilities.

Once completed, it grants a learner professional designation and showcases their commitment to the industry. Even better, it can help build self-esteem, improve advancement opportunities, and even help them make more money. After completing this certification process, graduates must maintain it by renewing regularly and paying the certification fees. Any serious construction estimation professional should look into this process to solidify their careers.

Why Become Certified in Construction Estimation?

While many construction estimators never get certification and simply learn on the job, it’s almost always better to take classes to solidify skills. First of all, these courses help new students deeply understand important estimation concepts, like direct and indirect expenses. Even people who’ve worked in the field, like drafters, benefit from learning these topics because they might have limited training and need a little refresher to feel comfortable with them. 

Just as importantly, these certifications help learners stand out from other people in their field. They highlight an individual’s skills and prove they have the knowledge to do the work. For example, let’s say someone is applying for a job with three years of experience and no certification. A similar applicant has the same experience and certification. Who is more likely to get hired? That extra certification proves that the latter person is more serious about estimating.

Thankfully, readers have already got an inside look at several courses and certifications that can help them stand out in this market. These valuable programs teach estimation skills, verify a learner’s abilities, and make them a better job applicant. Just as significantly, they can streamline their job hunt and make it simpler to start a new and exciting career. Anyone who knows the construction business or who’s interested in joining up can benefit from certification.

Before choosing a class or certification, though, learners should know what field they want to study in this subject. After all, residential, commercial, industrial, and civic construction are all quite different. Often, they cover different 

What You’ll Learn While Becoming Construction Estimation Certified

Getting a construction estimate certification reinforces many skills that estimators need to know to stand out in their field. These techniques might be things they could learn on the job, but mastering them in a program ensures that they grasp them even more thoroughly. After all, there are a lot of shortcuts and mistaken concepts that builders might make that could be corrected by taking a class. Here are a few of the biggest things they’ll master in their training.

Basic Cost Estimating 

Early on in their construction estimating courses, students will learn about things like cost controls, direct and indirect expenses, profit margins, overhead charges, and much more. As they progress through these early lessons, they’ll get a better understanding of the overall process and how to handle it. Laying foundational theories and concepts like these early in a program helps ensure learners can build on them toward an even stronger understanding.

Construction Design Concepts 

Cost estimators must understand complex construction design theories and techniques before calculating any project expenses. After all, if they don’t know how builders handle a project, they’re likely to make mistakes in estimation that could impact profitability. They’ll learn about things like electrical installation, foundation maintenance, and plumbing processes and will use that information to carefully budget projects and ensure their team avoids spending too much.

Cost Estimate Types

Construction cost estimating doesn’t necessarily take a singular approach. In fact, there are multiple ways of evaluating potential project prices. In certification classes, students will study these techniques and learn how and when to use them. For example, cost indices and cost-capacity factors all impact the best method for calculating what a project might cost. Thankfully, the best cost estimation programs make it easier to learn these techniques. 

Quantity Take-Off and Measurement

As learners move through their courses, they’ll learn about things like masonry, glass curtain walls, facades, wall finishes, concrete foundations, and other building materials. When done, they’ll know how to calculate and measure material quantity. This vital task is key to success in construction estimating, as it helps graduates give precise estimates to their clients that give them a better understanding of project costs. Without this ability, project prices will be wildly off.

Other Important Topics

Once students have a strong understanding of construction cost estimating, they’ll move on to study things like pricing, procurement, building an estimate, post-contract negotiation, cost-control methods, earned value methods, close-out periods, project cash flow, Lean for cost control, technology trends in cost estimating, and much more. These complex ideas help polish off their knowledge base and make it easier for them to move on to an estimating career.

Construction Estimation Industries 

As learners move through their cost estimation courses and learn more about this subject, they’re likely to start thinking about their future. For example, what industries might fit their career needs when they finish with their learning programs? Thankfully, there are many potential markets that need cost estimators to do their thing. Here are a few examples that graduates might want to consider planning for after they finish their in-depth estimation education:

  • Architecture: There are currently nearly 74,000 architecture firms in the country, and this market continues to grow exponentially. These professionals need cost estimators who work directly with their construction teams to figure out how much each project costs. As a result, it should be easy for estimators to find a job in this market. 
  • Residential Building: As housing prices spiral out of control, residential builders need cost estimators who can quickly and accurately budget their projects. As there are nearly 420,000 home builders currently in operation in the US today, that’s a lot of potential employers. This huge market is unlikely to go away any time soon for estimators. 
  • Commercial Construction: The commercial building trade differs a little from residential construction building due to its unique focus on businesses. Thankfully, there are still close to 750,000 companies in this market for people interested in it. They all need construction estimators who can carefully craft a detailed budget for all their projects.
  • Civil Engineering: Civil engineering is a genuinely staggering market with a value of over $9 billion and a growth expectation of 6.1% over the next six years. That considerable increase should give construction estimators hope for a great position. This field often includes high salaries, strong advancement opportunities, and great earnings.
  • Landscaping: Few construction estimators think of the landscaping market when looking for jobs, which is a mistake. There are over 660,000 employers in this industry that need experts who understand their needs. With a worth of over $154 billion, landscaping provides plenty of unique work opportunities for an ambitious estimator.

Construction Estimation Careers

The many construction-related industries in America give learners plenty of excellent opportunities to start an estimation career. While these fields might seem to differ in only slight ways, they’re surprisingly diverse. For example, electrical estimators perform far different duties than mechanical estimators and can make far different salaries. As a result, it’s essential for potential construction experts to know more about their career options before making a choice:

  • Chief Estimator: A Chief Estimator is responsible for managing and administering a department’s functions, including handling budgets and other financial elements. They make an average of $146,000 in the United States or up to $220,000 at the most.
  • Estimating Manager: Handling project management tasks related to estimation, an Estimating Manager is an essential part of any construction crew. They make between $50,000 to $123,000 in America for an average salary of around $80,000.
  • Estimating Coordinator: Estimating coordinators focus on carefully researching bids, preparing for construction projects, and analyzing costs related to each project. Salaries range from $39,000 to $94,000 and sit squarely at $60,000 annually on average.
  • Electrical Estimator: As an Electrical Estimator, you’ll focus on electrical work and estimating project costs. Similar specialty estimators include plumbing and foundation experts. They earn between $50,000 and $126,000 annually, or an average of $80,000.
  • Mechanical Estimator: Focusing on mechanical projects, such as installing new machinery or factory tools, a Mechanical Estimator can make good money. They earn between $50,000 and $126,000 for an average salary of $80,000 in America.

Should You Pursue a Certification or Certificate?

Anyone interested in learning about construction certification must research their online training options. There are many programs available that can help learners master these skills. Estimating is a complex and in-depth career field, one that requires a lot of hard work to master. Furthermore, research can help them understand the differences between certificates and certifications. While they sound similar, they’re not really the same thing at all in training. 

The biggest difference between the two is what kind of education and experience students need/receive. A certificate focuses on beginner-level knowledge and often features in-depth classes that help graduates prepare for a career. Learners will get hands-on support from their teachers and specialized help that makes job training easier. Certifications are suited for more skilled professionals and usually don’t come with any extra training: just an examination. 

Which Should You Get? 

Whether someone gets a certificate or a certification honestly depends on an individual’s experience and needs as a learner. Let’s say they have little to no experience in the construction industry. Or if they do, they’ve mostly worked as a laborer or a general manager. They might have a decent idea of how to estimate but not a lot of experience. Sure, they could pick up some experience on the job, but earning a training certificate can help make it far easier.

For example, they can learn about direct and indirect costs, construction types, estimation processes, and other essential lessons and reinforce their knowledge in critical ways. Building these foundational techniques makes it easier for them to progress to more advanced topics, such as specialized estimation. Going through an in-depth certificate program gives them the support they need to feel comfortable working in just about any construction-related market.

By contrast, individuals who’ve already worked in estimation for a few years might want certification. They don’t necessarily need to learn more about this topic. Instead, they want to show off their abilities to potential employers and likely earn more money. That’s where certification is so essential. Students with that kind of experience simply have to take an exam and prove their knowledge to get a professional-level cert for their construction resume. 

So, learners need to ask themselves a few questions before choosing. These include:

  • What is my purpose? Anyone signing up for a construction estimation certificate or certification needs to know why they’re doing it. Are they looking to improve their skills? Or show off existing ones? Asking that question early avoids a lot of issues.
  • How much experience do I possess? Rote beginners should really start with a certificate to improve their estimation skills. Those with a lot of work time in this field can skip certificates entirely and jump into a certification program.
  • Am I comfortable taking an exam? Anyone who thinks they’re ready for a certification exam needs to sit down and honestly ask themselves if they’d pass it. If they don’t think they would, well, it’s probably time to sign up for a certificate program.
  • In what ways will this process benefit me?
  • Can I afford it? Certificates and certifications aren’t cheap. Some can cost thousands of dollars, so it’s critical to pay close attention to a personal budget. Certificates are usually cheaper, and certifications require yearly renewal, making them more expensive.

These are just a few things that learners need to keep in mind when choosing certification or certificates. Further research into program quality also matters. For example, they should know a facility’s reputation and whether it provides great hands-on training. They should also check online reviews, specialization programs, and success rates. Don’t forget to read about class costs and length, as well, as these can vary heavily based on the provider chosen.

Here’s the TL:DR version: people with no experience should get certificates, while those with a lot need certification. That should be enough to help them make an intelligent decision.

Why Learn Construction Estimation Online?

In the past, online learning wasn’t particularly great. Classes were often streamed at very poor levels, students struggled to interact with their teachers, and attendance rates were typically relatively low. These days, virtual education (particularly live courses) has caught up and, in some cases, even surpassed in-person learning. In fact, many learners prefer the many advantages offered by these programs simply because they prefer staying at home. 

That’s really the most prominent advantage here: taking classes anywhere. In-person programs require students to attend a physical session, which limits their availability. Typically, construction estimation courses are likely unavailable outside of large metropolitan areas. Even smaller big cities, such as Houston or Portland, might not have any available. Students studying a niche subject like education estimation often require a live online class to start their careers.

Online courses are also usually a little cheaper because they rarely have high overhead costs. All learners need to study is a computer and internet access. Sure, they might require high-speed online connections to stream the class video. However, most people probably already have this kind of service. Even those who don’t can usually get by with lower-quality internet. They might just have to reduce their video quality to avoid straining their connection. 

There are a few potential downsides to these programs. For example, personal interaction with the professor might be a little trickier. While by no means impossible, working together online is a little more limiting. Programs might also feel a little too distant for learners who need more hands-on education. For example, some people might need to be in the room with their teacher to feel comfortable or to interact with their fellow students in a physical class area. 

Furthermore, people who aren’t self-starters might find online courses a little tricky. Live programs are better than asynchronous classes here because there is a real teacher keeping track of a student’s progress. Learners aren’t left to their own devices but get led through a curriculum logically. However, those who need someone to keep them on track might find even live online learning a little less satisfying than sitting down with a teacher and talking together.

That said, anyone who can stay motivated, study well by themselves, attend each live class on time, and work on exercises well will likely love online courses. People in rural areas, in particular, need internet training from skilled experts who likely live all the way across the country. It’s best to do a little research before deciding, though, as this might make the difference between success or failure in a program. It’s never a bad idea to make some calls.