Estimating and Bidding in Construction

The Estimating and Bidding Specialization prepares learners to think and perform like professional construction estimators—combining technical accuracy with critical reasoning, organization, and communication skills. Across four courses, you’ll build a complete understanding of the estimating process from the ground up. You’ll begin by learning how to read and interpret construction drawings and specifications, identifying key details that define project scope and requirements. Next, you’ll explore estimating fundamentals—understanding cost structures, risk, contingency, and the professional standards that guide ethical decision-making. In later courses, you’ll perform trade-specific quantity takeoffs, analyze productivity factors, and examine how real-world conditions influence pricing. The Specialization culminates in a capstone project where you apply these skills to a realistic construction scenario: developing and presenting a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) estimate for a new university Dining Commons. By the end, you’ll be equipped with the technical expertise and professional judgment to produce, communicate, and defend construction estimates with confidence

• Interpret construction plans and perform quantity takeoffs
• Communicate accurate and professional cost estimates
• Understand cost structures, risks, and contingencies
• Apply ethical standards in decision-making
• Analyze productivity factors in trades
• Evaluate real-world influences on pricing

• Basic familiarity with construction terms
• Readiness to practice through applied exercises or case work