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.
Applied Learning Project
Throughout this four-course Specialization, learners develop the core skills and professional mindset needed to produce accurate, competitive construction estimates. Beginning with the fundamentals of plan reading and specifications, you’ll learn how to interpret drawings and project documents to extract essential information. You’ll then build a foundation in estimating principles, cost analysis, and construction terminology before advancing to trade-specific quantity takeoffs and productivity assessments. Each course builds toward a hands-on capstone project where you’ll apply your knowledge to a realistic scenario—developing a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) estimate for a new university Dining Commons. By the end, you’ll not only understand how to calculate costs but also how to communicate and defend your estimate with clarity, professionalism, and confidence—just like an estimator in the field.
