Construction Fundamentals

GBCA regularly offers online construction courses for individuals looking for a new career path and seeking to better understand current construction practices, or veterans in the construction business looking to develop their project management skills. Offered in partnership with Construction Experts Inc., these high-quality, interactive and fully online classes are taught by professionals with extensive experience in both the construction industry and teaching others to succeed.

Click HERE to see our course offerings. Courses can be taken at your own pace within the time allotted, and you may either start anytime, or take 10-week, guided courses. The 10-week courses are offered up to four times per year (please check the start date). Take individual classes or work towards GBCA’s Construction Estimating Certificate program.

GBCA Construction Estimating Certificate Program

GBCA is offering a Certificate program in Construction Estimating in partnership with Construction Experts, Inc. In this program, participants will gain a fundamental understanding of cost estimation and be able to analyze construction documents, take-offs, and other direct and indirect costs in order to develop bids that are as accurate as possible. Cost estimators work with engineers, architects, contractors, and clients to calculate accurate estimates of the time, materials, labor, and cost required to complete a project.

Individuals pursuing this Certificate need to complete at least 5 courses with a focus on construction estimating.

Required Courses (complete ALL of the following):

  • Estimating & Bidding 1
  • Estimating & Bidding 2

Elective Courses (complete at least 3 of the following):

  • Introduction to Construction Estimating
  • Essential Construction Math
  • Construction Blueprint Reading
  • Construction Materials and Processes
  • Estimating Civil and Site Work Construction
  • Planning and Scheduling

Courses for the Certificate are offered either anytime or 4 times a year. The Certificate should be completed in about 2 years (24 months).

Scroll to the bottom of this page to request the Certificate if you have completed the coursework.

GBCA Construction Fundamentals Course Offerings

Self-Paced, Start Anytime Courses

Introduction to Construction

Start anytime, 6 weeks to complete
Member $550, Non-Member $800

This self-paced, four-module Introduction to Construction seminar is an introduction to the construction industry, its parties, and processes.

Students will become familiar with the different types of construction, the diverse roles, stages, and processes of a construction project. Students will develop an awareness of safety regulations, safety inspection, construction documents and their uses. Students will develop a working understanding of construction project management topics including estimating, project management, scheduling, close out and pay out.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this online construction seminar you should be able to:

  1. Understand and use standard construction terminology
  2. Identify the primary professions engaged in construction and their roles in the construction processes.
  3. Identify different types of construction
  4. Develop an understanding of the materials and processes used in construction
  5. Develop an awareness of construction safety regulations and the role of OSHA
  6. Explain and discuss the various types of contract documents
  7. Become familiar with building codes, zoning, and inspection.
  8. Understand basic concepts of estimating, project management and scheduling
  9. Identify and ascertain information about the careers in construction.

Essential Construction Math

Start anytime, 10 weeks to complete
Member $550, Non-Member $800

This self-paced online class which is intended to develop mathematical skills that can be applied to the construction trade through practice and application.

This course provides a foundation in math for other construction courses. The construction math lessons in this course are based on real-world application.

Learning Objectives:

Students who successfully complete Essential Construction Math will learn skills to do the following tasks:

  • Use and understand all operations on fractions and decimals that are common to the construction industry
  • Convert measurements from fractions to decimals
  • Measure the volume of concrete footings, slabs, walls, and columns
  • Calculate and measure for basic constructions in wood and concrete
  • Calculate area, and volume of various shapes
  • Convert measurements from cubic feet to cubic yards
  • Calculate board feet

Introduction to Construction Estimating

Start anytime, 10 weeks to complete
Member $550, Non-Member $800

This self-paced online class which is the gateway to more complex and trade specific estimating courses.

This online course is designed to help estimators polish their estimating skills and learn the basic skills that are absolutely required to produce successful construction estimates.

Learning Objectives:

Students who successfully complete Introduction to Construction Estimating will learn the basic principles of construction estimating. Topics to be studied include:

  • organization of the estimate
  • types of estimates
  • elements of an estimate
  • quantity take off techniques
  • pricing techniques
  • adjusting the estimate for a variety of variable factors
  • estimating labor, materials and equipment
  • profit and overhead markups

Guided, 10-Week Courses

Construction Blueprint Reading 

January 13 – March 23, 2025
Member $575, Non-Member $1,125

This online blueprint reading course is designed to provide you with that foundation knowledge and enough practice at reading blueprints to get you started.

All construction professionals, regardless of whether they are working in the field or in the office, must know how to read blueprints. Blueprint reading is not terribly difficult but it does require practice and some basic knowledge of blueprints. Mastery of blueprint reading will come with practice and with using blueprints on the job on a regular basis.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of Construction Blueprint Reading Online you should:

  • Have an elementary knowledge of blueprint reading as it relates to building construction projects.
  • Understand in general terms the design process and the role of design professionals.
  • Be able to find trade information using blueprints
  • Be able to answer basic construction questions related to the layout and installation of materials at the jobsite.
  • Be able to identify elementary problems or short comings of the blueprints you are using.

This class is 100% online. It is important that the student keep up with the class and not fall behind. Course modules will be made available to students on Sunday of each week. Class work must be completed by the following Sunday. Students will not be able to work ahead of the class although reading assignments will be made available in advance and can be found in the Critical Course Information under General Course Information. 

Estimating & Bidding 1 

January 13 – March 23, 2025
Member $575, Non-Member $1,125

This Estimating and Bidding online course features hands-on estimating and quantity take-off activities associated with General Conditions, Site Work, Concrete and Form work, and Masonry Estimating.

Take Introduction to Construction Estimating and/or Construction Blueprint Reading if you feel you need more information in these areas before taking this class. Those courses are not prerequisites but they are a part of the Certificate in Construction Estimating. You will need skillful blueprint reading and basic construction estimating skills to be successful in this class.

By the end of this class you should be able to estimate the cost of general conditions, prepare quantity take-off of excavation and back-fill, prepare a quantity take-off of concrete, and form work, se unit prices to price your estimate, prepare a quantity take off and conceptual estimate of masonry work. The Certificate in Construction Estimating program includes this class.

PREREQUISITES: To do well in this course you should already have the following skills:

  • Know how to read blueprints
  • Know how to use a spreadsheet software such as Microsoft Excel
  • Have a basic knowledge of construction estimating subjects including:
    • Basic math skills
    • Estimating terminology (quantity take off, unit price, production rate, etc.)
    • Use of the calculator and architectural scale
  • Be able to organize your work so it can be easily understood by others

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this class you should be able to:

  • Plan for and organize an estimate
  • Estimate the cost of general conditions
  • Prepare quantity take off of excavation and back-fill
  • Prepare a quantity take off of concrete, and form work
  • Use unit prices to price your estimate
  • Prepare a quantity take off and conceptual estimate of masonry work
  • Estimate the cost of general conditions
  • Prepare quantity take off of excavation and back-fill
  • Prepare a quantity take off of concrete, and form work
  • Use unit prices to price your estimate
  • Prepare a quantity take off and conceptual estimate of masonry work

This class is 100% online. It is important that the student keep up with the class and not fall behind. Course modules will be made available to students on Sunday of each week. Class work must be completed by the following Sunday. Students will not be able to work ahead of the class although reading assignments will be made available in advance and can be found in the Critical Course Information under General Course Information. 

Estimating & Bidding 2 

January 13 – March 23, 2025
Member $575, Non-Member $1,125

This course is designed to provide you with hands-on estimating and quantity take-off activities associated with Metals, Wood, Doors and Windows, Finishes, Electrical, and Mechanical Estimating.

By the end of this class you should be able estimate the conceptual cost of structural metals, prepare a quantity take off and estate of rough carpentry, prepare a quantity take off of roofing and waterproofing, use unit prices to price doors and windows, prepare a quantity take off and estate various finishes, prepare a quantity take off and conceptual estimate of mechanical systems, and prepare a quantity take off and conceptual estate of electrical systems. We will also focus on the preparation of work-place ready estimating documents. Participants should know how to read blueprints and have basic knowledge of estimating, although Estimating and Bidding 1 is not a prerequisite of this class.

PREREQUISITES: To do well in this course you should already have the following skills:

  • Know how to read blueprints
  • Know how to use a spread sheet software such as Microsoft Excel, Numbers (Mac)
  • Have a basic knowledge of construction estimating subjects including:
    • Basic math skills
    • Estimating terminology (quantity take off, unit price, production rate, etc.)
    • Use of the calculator and architectural scale
  • Be able to organize your work so it can be easily understood by others

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this class you should be able to:

  • Perform quantity take offs and conceptual estimating for structural and miscellaneous metals
  • Prepare quantity take offs and estimates for rough carpentry and framing
  • Prepare quantity take offs and conceptual estimates for waterproofing and roofing
  • Prepare a quantity take off and conceptual estimate of various finish trades
  • Utilize conceptual estimating methods to arrive at mechanical and plumbing budgets
  • Utilize conceptual estimating methods to arrive at electrical budgets
  • Estimate the conceptual cost of structural metals
  • Prepare quantity take off and estimate of rough carpentry
  • Prepare a quantity take off of roofing and waterproofing
  • Use unit prices to price doors and windows
  • Prepare quantity take off and estimate various finishes
  • Prepare a quantity take off and conceptual estimate of mechanical systems
  • Prepare a quantity take off and conceptual estimate of electrical systems

This class is 100% online. It is important that the student keep up with the class and not fall behind. Course modules will be made available to students on Sunday of each week. Class work must be completed by the following Sunday. Students will not be able to work ahead of the class although reading assignments will be made available in advance and can be found in the Critical Course Information under General Course Information. 

Construction Materials & Processes 

January 13 – March 23, 2025
Member $575, Non-Member $1,125

This construction materials and processes online course will give the student an overall understanding of materials and methods.

Each week we will study one specific material category, one specific construction process, and an overall construction system. The student will have the opportunity to expand the studies to include materials and processes which are normally encountered by the student in his/her work place. In addition the student is expected to research and report on the session materials and processes with respect to sustainable or “green” construction.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this construction materials and processes online class you should:

  • Be able to recognize quality control procedures for various materials
  • Be familiar with material manufacturing processes
  • Understand the physical limitations of the materials we are studying
  • Understand how the materials we are studying are used in construction
  • Know where to find information about materials when needed
  • Understand the regulatory environment under which materials are manufactured and incorporated into new structures
  • Know the relevant history of each material
  • Know the important aspects of how each material is used in construction processes

This class is 100% online. It is important that the student keep up with the class and not fall behind. Course modules will be made available to students on Sunday of each week. Class work must be completed by the following Sunday. Students will not be able to work ahead of the class although reading assignments will be made available in advance and can be found in the Critical Course Information under General Course Information. 

Construction Equipment & Methods 

January 13 – March 23, 2025
Member $575, Non-Member $1,125

This course introduces construction equipment and selected heavy civil construction methods, including economy, selection, and productivity of common construction equipment and construction procedures for heavy civil construction and site development.

The course will cover an introduction to equipment economics and utilization, determining earthwork quantities, equipment production rates, fundamentals of earth moving and excavating, loading and hauling equipment, cranes, compressors, pumps and much more.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this class you should be able to:

  1. Become familiar with construction equipment and their capabilities.
  2. Learn how to best utilize construction equipment on site work and heavy civil projects.
  3. Understand standard terminology, designations, sizes, and gradations of equipment.
  4. Properly select heavy equipment based on applications, utilization, productivity, and other factors.
  5. Understand the elements of equipment cost and evaluating investment alternatives.
  6. Utilize the CAT Handbook to determine production rates for heavy equipment
  7. Develop a basic understanding of unit price and earthwork quantities
  8. Demonstrate awareness of construction safety related to earth moving operations
  9. Describe the characteristics of heavy civil construction projects.
  10. Develop a structured estimating process in unit price estimating

This class is 100% online. It is important that the student keep up with the class and not fall behind. Course modules will be made available to students on Sunday of each week. Class work must be completed by the following Sunday. Students will not be able to work ahead of the class although reading assignments will be made available in advance and can be found in the Critical Course Information under General Course Information. 

Planning & Scheduling 

January 13 – March 23, 2025
Member $475, Non-Member $925

This course introduces how to plan, prepare and update construction project schedules.

Planning and scheduling is a primary technical skill all successful construction supervisors and project managers need to effectively engage and utilize their teams, resources, and manage the job. Through the use of case studies, we will show you how to define construction activities, determine activity duration, and assemble the activities into a logical construction schedule. Also, we will learn to create and use bar charts and critical path schedules.

Learning Objectives: 

  • Become familiar with the process of project planning and the efficiencies derived from planning
  • Know how to sequence the activities for logical project flow
  • Be able to prepare a bar chart schedule and use it properly
  • Be familiar computerized scheduling and understand both its limitations and advantages
  • Understand what resources are and how they can be coordinated with the schedule
  • Be able to apply methods for monitoring, comparing and updating the project schedule
  • Learn about schedule acceleration methods and how to apply them
  • Be able to define schedule activities and assign reasonable durations to the activities
  • Be able to prepare a short procurement schedule
  • Learn about schedule float and understand how float can be used to delay or lengthen activities and to smooth manpower requirements
  • Be able to apply constraints, sorts and filters to a computer generated schedule
  • Know how to use the schedule as a resource for crew and manpower assignments
  • Understand how to use the short-term schedule as a communication tool
  • Learn how the schedule is used as documentation for changes and disputes

Students are responsible for purchasing the textbook for this course.

This class is 100% online. It is important that the student keep up with the class and not fall behind. Course modules will be made available to students on Sunday of each week. Class work must be completed by the following Sunday. Students will not be able to work ahead of the class although reading assignments will be made available in advance and can be found in the Critical Course Information under General Course Information. 

Estimating Civil & Sitework Construction 

January 13 – March 23, 2025 
Member $575, Non-Member $1,125

This construction estimator training course introduces students to civil engineering estimating , estimating heavy civil construction projects, and site work construction projects.

This online class will cover reading and understanding civil construction plans, determining earthwork quantities, determining crew make-up, and fundamentals of estimating various civil and site work components.

Taking this course along with other construction estimating continuing education classes will provide foundational knowledge for students who are newer to the construction industry or new to civil estimating and serve as a “knowledge refresher” for experienced professionals.

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand and use standard terminology used in civil construction
  • Organize an estimate in a logical format
  • Perform quantity take-offs for civil construction work
  • Determine crew make up and productivity
  • Calculate labor, equipment, and material costs for civil construction works
  • Prepare a final estimate for a civil/site work construction project including indirect costs, mark-ups, and profit

This class is 100% online. It is important that the student keep up with the class and not fall behind. Course modules will be made available to students on Sunday of each week. Class work must be completed by the following Sunday. Students will not be able to work ahead of the class although reading assignments will be made available in advance and can be found in the Critical Course Information under General Course Information. 

Oral and Written Communication 

January 13 – March 23, 2025
Member $475, Non-Member $925

This course examines oral and written communication in the construction context, and how communication deeply impacts the people you work with and work life situation.

Communication is multi-faceted. It includes nonverbal communication, body language, listening, inflection, and written communication. Without quality skills in each of these categories you are putting yourself and your career at a severe disadvantage. Excellent supervisors are able to delegate tasks and instruct people in various situations, no matter what is thrown at them.

Learning Objectives: 

  • Learn about the different forms of communication
  • Understand how effective communications affect productivity
  • Be able to effectively communicate within your company’s communication system
  • Be able to recognize and overcome barriers to communication
  • Communicate with peers and supervisors effectively
  • Harness the techniques of listening
  • Apply your listening skills as a management method
  • Control the nature and tempo of a conversation
  • Learn to use questioning skills
  • Learn how to use both open-ended and closed-ended questions
  • Establish a negotiation strategy through which you will be able to reach commitment and agreement
  • Communicating with difficult people
  • Learn to communicate effectively with your crew
  • Deliver better, more precise working instructions
  • Learn how to offer corrective feedback
  • Develop useful writing skills
  • Learn to lead a successful meeting
  • Understand why others have problems communicating with you
  • Understand the basic functions and procedures of electronic communications
  • Learn how to use the Internet and WWW for communications
  • Be able to develop a plan for improving communications

Students are responsible for purchasing the textbook for this course.

This class is 100% online. It is important that the student keep up with the class and not fall behind. Course modules will be made available to students on Sunday of each week. Class work must be completed by the following Sunday. Students will not be able to work ahead of the class although reading assignments will be made available in advance and can be found in the Critical Course Information under General Course Information. 

GBCA Construction Estimating Certificate Program, Certificate of Completion Request Form

If you have completed the required and elective courses (or you are taking the last course(s) now) for the GBCA Construction Estimating Certificate Program, you can submit a request to receive your program certificate:

CONSTRUCTION ESTIMATING CERTIFICATE REQUEST FORM

If you have questions about the Construction Estimating Certificate Program or any of our course offerings, please contact us by clicking below:

CONTACT US