Cost Estimating Essentials

The Cost Estimating Essentials course by the Cost Engineering Academy teaches you the basics of cost estimation. You will learn terminology and approaches for different aspects of the estimating profession and you will learn how to apply them in your everyday work.

On the first day, you will learn about specific approaches to estimating and their related terms. You will also learn what estimates can be used at what stages of your projects. The second and third day focus on detailed and factor estimating, the two main estimating techniques and how to apply them.

The fourth and final day focuses on estimating the cost of the actual engineering work. Engineering not only defines the cost of your project by the design that is made, but the engineering process in itself is part of your project cost as well. Focus of this day is on estimating those engineering cost. It will help you keep the cost down for your engineering phases, but as a result you can also prevent budget overruns.

As the Cost Engineering Academy emphasizes practical experience as well as theoretical knowledge, a number of small cases will be prepared during the course. This helps you familiarize with the knowledge you have just gained and apply it to real world situations. At the end of this course you will have:

• A basic understanding of the definitions of cost estimation, cost control and planning. You will also be able to read cost engineering reports and put it in the perspective of your project.
• The basic knowledge to prepare and evaluate estimates quicker and more accurately. This will immediately have its effect on the control you have on the cost of your project.
• The ability to make your own factor estimates and validate factor estimates prepared by others.
• The knowledge to identify major cost risks of engineering. Together with the estimating methods this means you will be able to estimate the engineering involved in your projects.