Const 105 - Construction Estimating Pricpl - Claudenice Braga-McCalister

Introduction

Hello and welcome to CONST 105: Construction Estimating Principles!

My name is Claudenice Braga-McCalister, and you may call me Professor McCalister. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and bring professional experience in project management, construction estimating, and construction safety. I have taught at College of the Canyons since 2018, covering subjects such as construction fundamentals, blueprint reading, building codes, planning and scheduling, estimating, and construction inspections.

Every successful construction project begins with an important question: What will it cost to build? Developing a reliable answer requires much more than selecting a price. An estimator must understand construction drawings and specifications, determine material quantities, evaluate labor and equipment requirements, apply appropriate cost data, recognize project risks, and organize the information into a clear and complete estimate.

In this course, you will learn how construction professionals develop estimates and use cost information to support bidding, budgeting, planning, and project decision-making. You will move beyond simply reading construction drawings and begin using them to calculate quantities and make informed financial decisions.

This is a fully online and asynchronous course, which means there are no required in-person or real-time class meetings. However, the course is not self-paced. You will need to participate consistently, follow the schedule established for your section, and complete the required activities by their posted deadlines.

Construction estimating is a practical skill developed through careful and consistent practice. Come prepared to work with drawings, perform calculations, organize cost information, and apply the course concepts to realistic estimating situations. I look forward to helping you develop this valuable construction-industry skill.

Course Description

This course introduces methods and practices related to construction estimating, including quantities and costs of materials, labor and management as well as miscellaneous items related to construction costs. Course requires print reading knowledge and introduces basic scheduling concepts in relation to estimating. It may include computer program applications.

What This Means to You

In this course, you will develop practical skills used by construction estimators to determine how much a project is expected to cost. You will learn how to analyze construction drawings and specifications, identify the scope of work, calculate material quantities, and apply costs for materials, labor, equipment, management, and other project requirements.

You will complete quantity takeoffs for different building components and learn how units of measurement vary among construction materials and trades. You will also explore cost data, unit pricing, productivity, overhead, profit, bid preparation, and the factors that can influence the accuracy and completeness of an estimate.

The course introduces different types of estimates, bids, bidding formats, and estimating practices used in the construction industry. You will examine how scheduling, risk, market conditions, project requirements, and construction methods can affect project costs.

You may also use spreadsheets and other computer applications to organize quantities, perform calculations, compare alternatives, and present estimating information clearly and professionally.

By the end of the course, you will be better prepared to develop, organize, evaluate, and communicate a construction cost estimate using information obtained from drawings, specifications, cost data, and other project documents.

What to Expect in this Course

This is a fully online and asynchronous course. There are no required in-person or real-time lectures. Course materials, instructional videos, assignments, discussions, quizzes, exams, estimating activities, and projects are delivered through Canvas.

Although you may complete your work at different times, this course is not self-paced. Modules, assignments, and assessments follow the schedule established for your section. You are expected to review Canvas regularly, read announcements, follow module instructions, and submit your work by the posted deadlines.

Typical modules may include textbook readings, supplemental resources, instructional videos, practice calculations, quantity-takeoff activities, graded assignments, discussions or reflections, quizzes, and a module checklist. You will also complete online exams, smaller estimating projects, and a final project that requires you to apply the skills developed throughout the course.

You should plan to dedicate several hours each week to reviewing instructional materials, studying construction drawings and specifications, performing calculations, completing takeoffs, participating in discussions, and preparing for assessments. Estimating assignments may require more time as the course progresses and the takeoffs become more detailed. Shorter and accelerated sections cover the same course content in less time and therefore require a substantially greater weekly commitment.

Regular access to a desktop or laptop computer and a reliable internet connection is strongly recommended. A smartphone or small tablet is not suitable for completing detailed takeoffs, reviewing construction drawings, or developing estimating spreadsheets. You will also need a current web browser, a PDF reader, Microsoft Word or compatible word-processing software, and Microsoft Excel or compatible spreadsheet software.

A calculator is required, and colored highlighters are recommended for identifying quantities, organizing drawing information, and marking completed takeoff items. You will also need access to the construction drawings, specifications, and estimating files identified in Canvas.

A webcam and microphone are not required for routine participation but may be needed for optional meetings, collaborative activities, individual support, or an academic integrity review.

Types of Assessments

Assessments may include online research activities, homework assignments, construction-math exercises, quantity takeoffs, cost calculations, spreadsheet activities, discussion boards and peer responses, short written reflections, practice quizzes, graded quizzes, online exams, micro-projects, and a final estimating project.

Practice activities may be ungraded and are provided to help you develop estimating skills, check your calculations, and prepare for graded assessments. Exams evaluate your understanding of estimating principles and processes, while applied assignments and projects require you to extract information from construction documents, calculate quantities and costs, and organize your work into a clear and professional estimate.

All required work must be completed and submitted through Canvas according to the instructions and deadlines established for your section.

Textbook Information

Required Textbook:

Building Cost Estimating: Principles and Practice, First Edition

Author: Joseph Macaluso
Publisher: Frank R. Walker Company
ISBN: 978-0-911592-12-2

This textbook provides the principles, methods, and practical information needed to support your estimating activities throughout the course. It will be referenced in instructional materials, assignments, discussions, and assessments.

The textbook is available in both print and digital formats. You may select whichever format best supports your learning preferences and technology needs. Please verify the title, author, edition, publisher, and ISBN before purchasing to ensure that you obtain the correct textbook.

The textbook does not include or require access to a companion website.

Other Relevant Course Information

Active and consistent participation is essential for success in an online construction estimating course. Simply logging into Canvas does not count as attendance or participation. You demonstrate academic participation by submitting assignments, completing takeoffs and calculations, contributing to required discussions, taking quizzes and exams, working on estimating projects, and engaging with other required course activities.

This course requires construction print-reading knowledge. You should be able to locate and interpret information from plans, elevations, sections, details, schedules, and specifications. If you have limited experience reading construction drawings, plan to dedicate additional time to reviewing the drawings and asking questions early.

Estimating skills build progressively. Waiting until deadlines approach or attempting to complete several takeoffs at once may result in calculation errors, omitted scope, incomplete submissions, and difficulty completing the final project. Establish a consistent work schedule and retain your completed takeoffs, calculations, and estimating files because they may support later assignments and projects.

Carefully review all submission instructions. Before submitting your work, confirm that calculations are complete, formulas function correctly, required worksheets are included, and the correct file has been uploaded. A blank, corrupted, incorrect, or unrelated file does not constitute a valid submission.

Your interest in learning is one of the most important components of success in this course. A growth mindset will help you view challenges as opportunities to develop your knowledge and skills. Consistent effort, effective time management, and dedication to meeting assignment and exam deadlines are also essential. The video Developing a Growth Mindset with Carol Dweck - YouTube provides additional guidance on developing this approach to learning.

It is also important to identify your academic and professional goals. The video Setting SMART Goals - How To Properly Set a Goal (animated) - YouTube introduces a helpful method for creating goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. When you understand what you want to accomplish and where you would like to go, I can better support you in reaching those goals.

Students on the official waitlist will be considered for enrollment as seats become available. Students who are not on the waitlist may be considered only if space remains after eligible waitlisted students have been served. Enrollment is not guaranteed and depends on seat availability.

Before the course begins, I will send an email with additional information to students who are officially enrolled. Please monitor your COC email and Canvas announcements regularly so you do not miss important course information.

I will be here to answer questions, provide guidance, and support your progress. I hope to see you in this course and look forward to helping you work toward your goals!

Additional Resources

Canvas

This course can be accessed on the first day of class via Canvas at https://coc.instructure.com. Log into Canvas using your CanyonsID single sign-on:

• CanyonsID Username is your COC student email address (Ex: username@my.canyons.edu)
• CanyonsID Password is your COC student email password

Please visit the Get to Know Your Online Classroom page for help logging into Canvas and for tips on using Canvas and Zoom. Canvas Chat Support is also available 24/7 for any Canvas related issues.

Online Education

Check out the Online Education website for more information on a variety of topics that can help you be a successful online student such as: exam proctoring, learning styles, computer skills, and tips for student success. If this is your first online course, feel free to take our online learning readiness assessment to assess your skills.

The Learning Center (TLC)

The TLC provides FREE online tutoring resources to COC students!

Academic Accommodation Center (AAC)

College of the Canyons AAC provides educational services and access for eligible students with documented disabilities who intend to pursue coursework at COC. A variety of programs and services are available which afford eligible students with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of the college programs and activities through appropriate and reasonable accommodations. For more information on their services visit the Academic Accomodation Center website.

Online Counseling

The Counseling Department offers appointments online. You can schedule an appointment by visiting the Online Counseling website. Counselors can help you map out a plan to reach your educational goals as well as advise you on course selection and registration.

Management of Stress and Mental Health

Often the pressure on our students is very strong, involving academic commitments, relationships, outside jobs and family pressure to name a few. The staff and faculty of College of the Canyons are here to see you succeed academically and care about your emotional and physical health. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential student services, including counseling and mental health services available on campus by visiting the Student Health & Wellness Center in the Student Services Building (across from the bookstore). The phone number is 661-362-3259 that you can call 24/7. You can also e mail for an appointment at StudentHealthCenter@canyons.edu. At the Canyon Country Campus the Health Center will be in the new Student Services Building.

Also, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number is now 988. All students at COC are encouraged to enter that phone number in their cells. You can call it when you, or someone you know, is having thoughts of suicide or is in severe distress.

You can also now use the Crisis Text Line: Just text "Courage" to 741741. Someone will get back to you immediately. Its free, 24/7, and confidential.

Veterans Resource Center

The College of the Canyons Veterans Resource Center is a department within the Student Services Division at the college, created to help veterans and veteran dependents with applying to College of the Canyons, enrolling in classes, and requesting VA Education or Vocational Benefits. For more information please visit the Veterans Resource Center website, email veterans@canyons.edu or phone (661) 362-3469.

Library

The Library provides live online and in-person research help, access to a full range of e-resources and physical materials that support the curriculum, individual and group study areas, and much more!

Last updated: 08/04/2026 Sub#: 1264 Sub ID: 116134