The Professional Certificate in Construction Estimating provides an excellent overview of basic and advanced principles of construction estimating and bidding in the construction industry. No entrance exams are required. Course times are scheduled year-round to be compatible with your work commitments. Each course meets online for ten weeks. Discussions using an online bulletin board afford the opportunity to examine everyday construction challenges shared by others in the construction industry.
Learn how to accurately estimate the time, money, materials, and labor that your construction project requires by earning your Professional Certificate in Construction Estimating from SDSU Global Campus.
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About the Program
Cost estimation experts are an essential part of any construction project. Cost estimators work with engineers, architects, contractors, and clients to calculate accurate estimates of the time, materials, and labor required to complete a project — and most importantly, how much money the project will cost.
$3,450
Total Estimated Cost
Textbooks not included
3 Months
Completion Time
Online
Course Format
Learn what it takes to become a cost estimator in the construction industry by earning your Professional Certificate in Construction Estimating from SDSU Global Campus. All courses are 100% online, open to all, and run throughout the year. You can even earn valuable Professional Development Units for completing these courses!
Is This Program Right for Me?
SDSU’s construction estimating program is an accessible and affordable way to begin or advance your career as a bidding expert in the construction industry. Whether you already work in construction and want to take on a supervisory role in the bidding process, or you’re transitioning into construction from another industry, our certificate program will help you learn how to submit accurate bid estimates — no prerequisites or program application is required!
New to the industry? Explore our Introduction to Construction courses and build your career foundation from the ground up.
You can log onto any course from any computer with an internet connection. Most classes have assignments with weekly due dates — please ensure that you can complete any necessary coursework for the duration of the course.
SDSU is a State-approved provider for the Federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). If you’re unemployed or underemployed, you may be eligible to receive full or partial tuition assistance on this program. Equal Opportunity is the Law. Equal opportunity employer/program auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Click here to learn more.
What Can I Learn?
Key Learning Outcomes
- Analyzing and documenting the various components of any construction project. including structures, highways, utilities, and residential buildings.
- Reading blueprints and other construction-related documents.
- Communicating with contractors, clients, and other parties throughout the bidding process.
Cost estimation is a crucial part of the bidding phase of any construction project. Estimators need to analyze construction documents, take-offs, and other direct and indirect costs in order to develop bids that are as accurate as possible. In this estimating program, we’ll cover several key topics that include:
- Construction mathematics
- Estimation terminology
- Quantity take-off, pricing, and bidding
- Uniform cost index categories
- Problem-solving techniques
- Types of materials
- Material ordering/handling methods
- Quality control and oversight
- Material relationships to the Uniform Building Code
- Costs, profit, and overhead mark-up
Lessons are supplemented by quizzes, which will give you immediate feedback on your understanding of the course content. You’ll set your own class times to complete the work due each week. Typically, you should plan on dedicating about 5-7 hours per week, per class.
You’ll learn how to become a cost estimation expert under the guidance of a panel of expert instructors. Your lessons are led by active career professionals from all levels of the construction industry. Through their experience and extensive knowledge, you’ll learn what works — and what doesn’t — for job site leaders who are currently working in construction.
This Construction Cost Estimator program is authorized by SDSU's College of Engineering. This means that you’ll be able to earn three professional development units (PDUs) per course.
Career Outcomes
Labor Analysis
Cost Estimator — Nationwide
199,400
Last 12 months
1.00%
Over 10 years
$38,880-$115,690
Average
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2020
Why Choose SDSU?
Accessibility
All courses are 100% online and accessible from anywhere in the world, which means you can earn your certificate on your schedule. You can complete the program in as few as three months, or take up to two years to complete all your courses.
Expert Instructors
The program is led by seasoned construction professionals with years of industry experience. Through their knowledge, combined with a robust online curriculum, you’ll quickly learn how to construct highly-accurate bids that your contractors and clients will be satisfied with.
Proven Curriculum
When you choose SDSU, you’re choosing a construction cost estimation program with a proven curriculum. All courses in the program are offered in cooperation with the San Diego Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America. The program is also endorsed by the San Diego Chapter of the American Society of Professional Estimators.
Want to Learn More?
Submit this web form and we’ll be in touch to answer all your questions and explain the next steps in the process. Or, you can reach a program recruiter by emailing recruiter.global@sdsu.edu or by calling (619) 594-7700.