Construction ESTIMATING & BIDDING FOR Small SubCONTRACTors

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Victor C. Tyler, P.E., MASCE, NSPE, Tyler Construction Engineers, P.C.

   Author of, "The Art of the Bid" and "How To Estimate Road Construction Accurately" 

   Creator of  RoadBIdTemplates.com

Must Register in Advance  (TBD)

The material is organized toward the small subcontractor's point-of view. Our Custom Excel Bid-Estimate Templates will be used in classroom activities.

Construction estimating and bidding training equips professionals with the skills to accurately price projects, analyze bids, and manage preconstruction workflows.

The material is organized toward the small subcontractor's point-of view. Our Custom Excel Bid-Estimate Templates will be used in classroom activities.

In this fast paced and in depth 2-day course, attendees will gain greater insights and knowledge of how to estimate, bid and win DOT contracts. Work scopes covered may include but are not limited to Trucking, Material Hauling, Silt Fence Installation, Concrete Flatwork, Placing Base Stone, Clearing and Grubbing, Road & Drainage Excavation, Asphalt Paving, Pipe Culvert, Concrete Box Culvert and/or depending on class makeup.  

The Construction Estimating & Bidding Bootcamp is a comprehensive course specifically designed to equip small or specialty subcontractors bidding on local and state DOT contracts. It will cover quantity takeoffs, cost estimation for labor, materials, and equipment, capturing indirect costs, overhead calculation, and pricing strategy. 

Additionally, discussion will cover analysis of bid strategy and change orders.  Each participant will receive the book, “The Art of the Bid”, and workshop copy of RoadBid Templates spreadsheet application to take back to their office to practice estimating and bidding.

This workshop has nine parts:

Lesson 1 – Introduction to Project-Based Business

• The 5B Workflow
• The Estimating Workflow

Lesson 2 – Preparing to Estimate  

• Estimating Fundamentals
• The Contract Documents
• Are You Bidding on the Right Projects
• Bid-No-Bid Decision

Lesson 3 – Plans Review & Takeoff

• Estimate Organization
• Estimating Technique
• Materials Takeoff
• Labor and Productivity

Lesson 4 – The Equipment Estimate

• Equipment Requirements
• Equipment Production
• Own vs Rent vs Lease 

Lesson 5 – Applying Cost to Labor, Material & Equipment

• Labor Classification & Rate of Pay
• Material – Unit Price & Order Quantity Considerations
• Equipment Rates
• Summarizing the Estimate
• Checking the Estimate Cost

Lesson 6 – Construction Accounting

• Introduction to Accounting Chart of Accounts
• Indirect Cost 
• Overhead
• Job Costs

Lesson 7 – Pricing the Estimate

• Calculating General Conditions (Project Indirect Costs)
• Calculating Project Overhead
• Calculation Home Office Overhead
• Summarizing the Estimate
• Profit Determination and Company Strategy
• How to properly apply Bid Markup to your Estimate

Lesson 8 – Practice Make Perfect

• Bid Summarization
• Bid Simulation Exercise
• Checking the Estimate
• Practice Exercise using RoadBid Template Application

Lesson 9 –Discussion on Next Steps

• Marketing to Prime Contractors
• Project Budget Linked Cost Control
• Construction Financial Management

Learning Objectives

• Understand how to set your business up for success in Estimating and Bidding work on DOT Projects 
• Recognize various opportunities to improve your company’s potential for growth and profitability 
• Comprehend the necessity of knowing your company’s capacity and capability
• Understand DOT’s and Prime contractors’ needs and know how to fill the need
• Understand how to know, understand, and control your costs
• Comprehending that organization and attention to detail is essential to your success 

Key Takeaways:

• Construction cost estimating is crucial for project success, influencing bidding decisions and overall profitability.
• It involves understanding types of estimates, cost components (direct & indirect), and methods like WBS and quantity take-offs.
• Accurate estimating combined with cost control techniques (budgeting, progress tracking, Earned Value basics) helps avoid overruns and ensures project efficiency.

Please Note: In-person classes will be limited to 20 participants per location. Each participant will receive course workbook and an enhanced Excel Estimating Spreadsheets for class examples to take back to the office to practice. If an overflow of registrants occurs, an additional classes may be offered at the same location on another date.