Overview:

This session walks through the full estimating and management flow on a construction project: reviewing scope, preparing a quantity takeoff, pricing labor, material and equipment, adding contingency and markup, and then carrying the estimate into a project budget.

Attendees learn how to track actual costs against the estimate, review variances and update forecasts. The session covers general principles using sample project data throughout. Methods and figures vary by company, project and market, so it is educational only and does not replace project-specific professional judgment.

Why you should Attend: A good estimate that is not carried into the project plan can still lead to cost surprises. This session shows how to connect the estimate to day-to-day project management so budget questions are caught early. Leave with a one-page estimating and cost tracking checklist you can apply to your current project.

Areas Covered in the Session:

• How the estimate connects to the project budget and schedule
• Scope review and assumptions: what is included, excluded and still unclear
• Quantity takeoff basics and common takeoff mistakes to avoid
• Pricing labor, materials, equipment and subcontractor quotes
• Contingency, allowances and markup: how to set and explain them
• Turning the estimate into a project budget and cost code structure
• Tracking actual costs against the estimate, reviewing variances and updating the forecast
• Bid review and lessons learned: improving the next estimate from project results
• Takeaways: a one-page estimating and cost tracking checklist and a 7-day action plan

• Estimators and Chief Estimators
• Project Managers and Assistant Project Managers
• Preconstruction Managers
• Project Engineers and Cost Engineers
• Superintendents and Field Supervisors
• Contractor Owners and Operations Managers