Estimating Concrete Costs

Attendees of this two-day course will learn to accurately estimate concrete costs. Using a real set of drawings, students will perform a complete concrete takeoff and will apply material and labor costs to that takeoff to assemble a complete estimate. Students will leave this class with the knowledge needed to produce accurate concrete estimates using efficient and reliable estimating techniques.

This course covers all aspects of concrete construction with which the estimator must be familiar, including concrete terminology, construction types, concrete properties, chemical admixtures, forming systems and curing materials. How each of these aspects affects the cost of concrete construction is covered in detail. This course is designed to improve the skills and building knowledge the estimator draws upon while estimating the concrete portion of a project. A brief review of basic math and estimating procedures will be covered. Various concrete practice problems will be presented. A working set of drawings will be assigned and estimated. Material and labor costs will be presented, utilizing a cost data book and other references.

Location details are provided upon registration.

• Get acquainted with concrete
• Concrete terminology
• Categories of concrete costs
• General costs for: Concrete, Placing, Reinforcing, Finishing, Equipment
• Essential forms and documentation
• Takeoff quantities of work
• Slabs on grade problems
• Footers and pads
• Utilize a cost data manual
• Shrinkage and temperature reinforcement
• Horizontal forming
• Forming costs-job built
• Reinforcing costs for: Footers/pads, Pile caps, Piers/pilasters/columns, Walls/beams, Slabs/wire or fiber fabric, Tilt-up systems, Pre-cast concrete, Manufactured forming, systems
• Discussion on; Hot and cold weather concrete, Admixtures, Chemical sealers, compounds, Form releases, hardener, Introduction to computerized takeoff and estimating, Prepare a concrete bid

Upon completion of the course students will be able to prepare accurate estimates of concrete costs and select cost efficient methods of forming, placing, reinforcing, and finishing the concrete. They will be able to organize cost data in a clear and logical manner for use in a summary estimate. Students will have the confidence to apply realistic unit costs to the estimated material and labor quantities and will check and verify the total cost estimate using comparative analysis.