Course Syllabus
Overview
This course code has changed from CONST 285 to CONST 305. You may occasionally see references to the old course code or title.
The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the principles of construction cost estimates, including organizing and planning an estimate, developing material and labor databases, preparing accurate quantity takeoffs, and developing an understanding of overhead and profit.
This is a three credit hour course.
Requirements
Prerequisites
Students must have successfully completed PW 100T, and either ARCH270 - Construction Documents (3) OR CONST120 - Framing Systems (3).
Required Resources
This course uses free resources that are included in the course content. The complete textbook, Construction Estimating Reference Book, by BYUI Staff, is available at BYU-Idaho Books.
Hardware Requirements
Students must use a Windows computer for Bluebeam Revu, a required software for this course. A Mac computer with a partitioned hard drive that can dual boot into Windows OS is also acceptable.
Software Requirements
- Microsoft Excel
- Excel is available for free download to BYUI students. See Downloading & Installing Microsoft Office for Free.
- Other spreadsheet software, such as Google Docs or Numbers are not acceptable alternatives.
- Bluebeam Revu
- Bluebeam is required for completing coursework in CONST 305. Instructions for how to install it are found in Installing Bluebeam.
- Students have the option to download Bluebeam with a single semester license for free. Other licensing options are available for a fee.
Proctored Exams and Assessments
This course does not use proctored exams and assessments.
Structure
Course Outcomes
- Be able to plan, organize, and prepare a construction estimate.
- Use computer software to develop construction material and labor estimates.
- Prepare accurate material quantity takeoffs and costs for construction projects.
- Prepare accurate labor costs for construction projects.
- Develop an understanding of the role of labor burden, overhead, and profit as it applies to construction estimating.
Major Assignments
The table below is meant to help you see the relevance of each major assignment as it pertains to the course outcomes.
| Major Assignment | Description | Course Outcome # |
|---|---|---|
| W02 Assignment: Wage Calculator | A spreadsheet assignment where wage rate for multiple employees is calculated. | #4 |
| W03 Submission: Ranch House Basic Takeoff | An assignment where Bluebeam is used to complete quantity takeoffs for the Ranch House Project. | #3 |
| W07 Submission: Ranch House Tools & Equipment, Overhead | A spreadsheet assignment where tools and equipment costs are estimated, and Profit, Overhead, and Sales Tax are estimated and applied to the relevant line items in the Ranch House Estimate. | #5 |
| W07 Midterm: Completed Ranch House Estimate | An auto-graded exam where all estimating assignments related to the Ranch House Project are compiled, checked, and submitted via several quiz questions. | #1, 2, 4 |
| W08 Submission: Small Cottage Basic Takeoff | An assignment where Bluebeam is used to complete quantity takeoffs for the Small Cottage Project. | #3 |
| W13 Submission: Small Cottage Tools & Equipment, Overhead | A spreadsheet assignment where tools and equipment costs are estimated, and Profit, Overhead, and Sales Tax are estimated and applied to the relevant line items in the Small Cottage Estimate. | #5 |
| W14 Final: Completed Small Cottage Estimate | An auto-graded exam where all estimating assignments related to the Small Cottage Project are compiled, checked, and submitted via several quiz questions. | #1, 2, 4 |
Weekly Patterns
The table below displays typical weekly activities, due dates, and activity descriptions.
| Due Date* | Learning Model | Activity Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midweek | Teach One Another | Estimator Meeting and Support Forum | Discussion boards that allow students to discuss coursework and set times to meet with their Estimating Groups. |
| Midweek | Prepare | Estimator Meeting Prep Check | Quizzes that require students to begin working on their assignments in preparation for meeting with their Estimating Groups. |
| Sometime During the Week | Teach One Another | Estimator Meeting | A synchronous meeting attended by all members of the Estimating Group. Students will make their own arrangements to meet and will work on all their assignments together. |
| End of Week | Prove | Meeting Attendance Report | A short quiz where students verify their attendance at their estimator meetings. |
| End of Week | Ponder and Prove | Estimate Submission | A submission of an Excel Workbook with specific construction estimating phases completed. |
*Set your time zone within user preferences so the dates and times for course activities will display correctly for your time zone.
Learning Model
Students prepare by understanding the scope of the work they are to complete for their various assignments. They access reference material from the textbook as needed to complete their assignments.
Students teach one another by being assigned to Estimating Groups. These groups will meet together at least once per week via video conference (if all group members are in Rexburg and available they may meet face-to-face). During that Estimator Meeting, students will work together on their estimating assignments, check each others' work, and ensure everybody is able to complete the assignments.
Students ponder and prove by submitting completed estimating assignments.
Expectations
Feedback
You can expect to receive grades and feedback within seven days of the due date for all assignments.
Workload
Estimating is a technical and detail-oriented field. Because of this, expect to spend the entire nine hours of recommended time (for a three credit course) studying concepts, meeting with Estimating Groups to work together on assignments, and completing the submission of estimates.
Group Work
This course requires students to work in groups for the completion of the Ranch House Project Estimate. This requires at least four synchronous sessions where students meet in their assigned groups. During that meeting, students work together to complete the estimating assignments for that given week. They share insights, discuss best approaches for completing assignments, and generally help each other submit accurate estimates.
When to Meet for Estimator Meetings
Students must arrange to attend an Estimator Meeting with their Estimating Groups during each of the weeks the following estimating assignments of the Ranch House Project are due:
- Preconstruction, Sitework, & Concrete Estimate
- Framing & Exterior Finish Estimate
- Interior Finishes & Subcontractor Estimate
- Tools & Equipment, Overhead Estimate
Students will participate in a small group discussion at the beginning of the weeks the above assignments are due. That discussion is to be used to arrange a time and place to meet as an Estimating Group.
How Meet for Estimator Meetings
Students should meet for their Estimator Meetings via videoconferencing software. Zoom is the preferred software to use for this purpose, but any videoconferencing software that all group members can access is acceptable.
Estimating Groups for which all members are present in Rexburg may make arrangements to meet face-to-face, so long as everyone can arrange to meet at the same place and time.
Late Work
As a sign of professionalism and respect, you should complete your work on time. However, your instructor has the discretion to accept late work or extend due dates as appropriate.
Retries
Most (not all) of the quizzes in this course allow multiple attempts. Take special note of the "Until" dates for each quiz. After this date you will no longer be able to attempt the quiz.
Extra Credit
This course does not include built-in extra credit. Your instructor may offer extra credit tasks at their own discretion.
Grading Scale
| Letter Grade | Percent |
|---|---|
| A | 100% - 93% |
| A- | 92% - 90% |
| B+ | 89% - 87% |
| B | 86% - 83% |
| B- | 82% - 80% |
| C+ | 79% - 77% |
| C | 76% - 73% |
| C- | 72% - 70% |
| D+ | 69% - 67% |
| D | 66% - 63% |
| D- | 62% - 60% |
| F | 59% and lower |
University Policies
Students with Disabilities
Brigham Young University-Idaho is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere that accommodates qualified persons with disabilities. If you have a disability and require accommodations, please contact the Disability Services Office at 1-208-496-9210 or visit their website and follow the Steps for Receiving Accommodations. Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified documented disabilities. Services are coordinated with students and instructors by the Disability Services Office.
This course includes required synchronous meetings. If you are currently registered with the Disability Services Office and need an interpreter or transcriber for these meetings, please contact the deaf and hard of hearing coordinator at 1-208-496-9219.
Other University Policies
Student Honor and Other Policies
Please read through the document called University Policies. It gives important information about the following topics:
- Student Honor
- Academic Honesty
- Student Conduct
- Sexual Harassment
- Student with Disabilities
- Complaints and Grievances
- Copyright Notice
Go to the Student Resources module to review further resources and information.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|