ETC 4206- Construction Estimating

Standard Course Outline (Updated: Spring 2010)

Catalog Description: / ETC 4206- Construction Estimating (3 credits)
Techniques of making estimates and computations of materials, labor, equipment, overhead costs and profits. Software packages are utilized.
Course prerequisites: MAC 1114 & EGN 1111 or equivalent & ETC 4241 all with grades of C or better.
Objectives of the course: / This course provides students with an in-depth understanding of fundamentals of estimating the costs of various construction projects, using both modern and traditional construction materials and methods, used in today’s construction industry. Topics included but not limited to cost estimating of construction materials such as steel, reinforced concrete, wood, masonry, and nonstructural components such as doors and windows. The students will also learn about labor cost-estimating and calculations and cost-reduction techniques. As a result of successfully completing this course, students will be able to describe and effectively use procedures to estimate the cost of a construction project, devise take-offs for a variety of components of building construction, use Rules of Thumb for construction cost estimating, prepare basic estimates using commercial cost estimating software programs, and approximate overhead and profit. Students will have five hands-on projects on project cost estimation including the latest materials and construction techniques to enhance their learning. From time to time, guest speakers are invited to the class to present practical aspects and to provide first-hand implementation of the techniques and their applications.
Course Outcomes: / CO1: Students will be able to demonstrate mastery of the knowledge of construction cost-estimating of construction materials, techniques, skills, and labor.
CO2: Student will be able to demonstrate ability to apply current construction cost-estimating business practices in analyzing the back-bone of diverse construction projects, and adapt to applications of construction cost-estimating techniques and technology to design residential and commercial structures.
CO3: Students will be able to demonstrate understanding of the state-of-the-art procedures to estimate the cost of a construction project and devise take-offs for a variety of components of building construction for earthmoving operations, building foundations, reinforced masonry construction, construction of metal buildings, and wood construction for simple construction projects.
CO4: Students will be able to describe and use Rules of Thumb for construction cost estimating and labor-saving techniques, planning, scheduling, and construction economics of simple construction operations.
CO5: Students will be able to demonstrate and apply fundamental principles and basic knowledge to prepare basic estimates using commercial cost estimating software programs, and approximate overhead and profit.
Relationship to ET Program Outcomes: / ETC 4206 contributes the following to the ET program outcomes:
PO1 / PO2 / PO3 / PO4 / PO5 / PO6 / PO7 / PO8 / PO9 / PO10 / PO11
CO1 / X / X
CO2 / X / X / X / X / X / X
CO3 / X / X / X / X
CO4 / X / X / X / X
CO5 / X / X / X / X / X
Textbook: / Estimating in Building Construction by F. Dagostino and L. Feigenbaum, Sixth Edition, Published by Prentice Hall, ISBN: 0-13-060405-4
References: / 1.  Book: Construction Equipment Guide (2nd Edition) by David A. Day and Neal B. H. Benjamin, Published by Wiley (ISBN: 0-471-88840-0)
2.  Book: Fundamentals of Construction Estimating by David Pratt, Delmar Publishers, Albany, NY, 1995.
3.  Book: Construction Estimating and Bidding in Building Construction, 2nd Edition, by the Associated General Contractors of America, 2005.
4.  Book: Construction Graphics: A Practical Guide to Interpreting Working Drawings, by K. A. Bisharat, Published by Wiley (ISBN: 0-471-32438-8)
5.  website: http://www.construction.com (McGraw Hill Company)
Topics Covered: / 1.  Introduction to Estimating & Spec’s
2.  The Estimate
3.  Overhead and Contingencies
4.  Labor and Equipment
5.  Excavation
6.  Concrete
7.  Masonry
8.  Metals
9.  Wood
10.  Thermal and Moisture Protection
11.  Doors and Windows
12.  Finishes
Computer Usage: / All assignments involve utilization of computers and spreadsheet using MS Word and Excel. The use of the class discussion board is highly encouraged.
Projects: / A total of 5 projects are conducted throughout the term to help with teaching students the mastery of the knowledge of construction estimating and quantity take-offs. All information regarding the projects is available via class website.
Library Usage: / Students are encouraged to consult library and Internet references to aid in researching course material.
Course Assessment: / Useful methods for assessing the success of this course in achieving the intended outcomes listed above:
·  CO1: Assignments, projects
·  CO2: Assignments, projects
·  CO3: Assignments, projects
·  CO4: Assignments, projects
·  CO5: Assignments, projects
Technology Requirements / Expectations for Use
E-mail: / Website course mail and discussion board are used in this course. All mails and discussions should be directly related to the course content or they will be removed from the site. Use common sense and good judgment when posting, and avoid personal messages on the course site. Use the discussion board if you would like to discuss a topic among your classmates. Professor’s email address should be used for direct contact. Emails will be answered as soon as possible.
Web: / A website will be used in this course for both live and remote classes. Students are expected to login to their account as often as possible but no less than three times a week for the latest updates and information. Projects, activities, organizations, and their due dates will be posted on Website and discussed during the class.
Special tools: / None at this time
Tape recording: / Each class is video streamed, tape-recorded and is available via the internet.
Calculators: / Calculators are allowed in the classroom and are used in this course if necessary. However, appropriate formulas and calculations must be defined and clearly presented to receive proper credit.
Cellular and Mobile Phones: / Please make sure that they are completely off (no vibration mode) during the class time.
Oral and Written Communication: / All assignments must be presented in a format that is clear, concise, and grammatically correct.
Calculus Usage: / No calculus is used in this course.
Policies and Guidelines: / 1. Exams: All exams are conducted online for this class. Students will be given a time window during which the exam can be taken. If students have problems submitting their exam for any reason (system is down, etc.), they need to get in touch with Kim Okamoto, the Website specialist for the college at 407-823-2177 or email her at . Please consult the course Website site. Make-up exams are not permitted. However, please consult with the instructor only if you have missed an exam under unforeseen circumstances, such as the death of an immediate family member.
2. Assignments: Absolutely NO Late assignments will be accepted. There are no make-up assignments. Assignments are assigned randomly in advance and due via Website, unless specified otherwise, on or before the due date. Consult the class Website site for the due dates. All assignments must be typed using MS Word in a high-quality and professional format. They should be well-written, clear, and concise. The steps/methods of solving the problems should be clearly stated. Students are encouraged to collaborate outside of class to discuss and debate course concepts. However, all assignments MUST be completed and written up individually. Each student is required to turn in his or her own solutions. If the assignment has been designated a team assignment by the instructor, one copy of the assignment solutions containing the names of all team members is required. Off-site FEEDS students MAY have some assignment modifications because of logistics and resource availability. However, off-site students must meet the due dates that are given to them. If these dates cannot be met, the instructor must be notified immediately. Please be mindful that assignments can be submitted BEFORE the due date.
3. Students are responsible for reading the textbook and other supplemental materials assigned by the professor. Students are also responsible to attend all live classes and or view all video-streamed live and taped lectures remotely. The class is accompanied by live and remote discussions and case studies to provide the students with hands-on application of what they learn in class. Students are also encouraged to share their first hand experiences with the class. Students may require to present their assignments, projects, and reports of case studies to the class if required by the professor.
4. Due to the nature of this course, there is always materials, examples, etc. covered in class that is not from the text book. Therefore, to enhance their learning process, the students should take and keep well-documented notes.
5. Academic Conduct: Students are subject to federal and state laws and local ordinances as well as regulations prescribed by the University of Central Florida and the Florida Board of Governors. The breach or violation of any of these laws or regulations may result in disciplinary action. Detailed conduct regulations and procedures are presented in The Golden Rule (http://www.goldenrule.sdes.ucf.edu). A person applying for admission to UCF who has declared a violation of conduct policies at a previous college or university or has been charged with a violation of the law (including traffic violations that resulted in a fine of $200 or more) may have circumstances of the case reviewed by the Office of Student Conduct (SRC 154) to consider eligibility for admission.
6. Students should only present material that they can demonstrate they have studied and learned from course documents and approved activities. Plagiarism and cheating of any kind on an examination, quiz, or assignment will result at least in an “F” for that assignment (and may, depending on the severity of the case, lead to an “F” for the entire course) and may be subject to appropriate referral to the Office of Student Conduct for further action.
Course Grading Policy: / Projects 50%
Assignments 50%
Total 100%
Grading Scheme: / 90 - 100 = A
80 – 89.9 = B
70 – 79.9 = C
60 – 69.9 = D
59.9 and below = F
Course Faculty / Dr. Ali Mehrabian:
Office: ENG I, Rm. 213
Phone: (407)823-4754
Office Hours: M and W 2:00-4:00 pm and or by appointment.