Course Description:

From the moment architects engage with a client, or even a potential client, one of the questions they face is how much will the project cost? This implicitly requires the architect to have a basic knowledge of estimating a building cost. The purpose of this short course is to give architects, especially those in the early or mid levels of their careers, a working knowledge of estimating.

The course will address the following points: 1. Estimating terminology, levels of accuracy, methodologies and the use of industry databases. 2. Design factors that impact building costs – separating the code, safety and functional requirements from the discretionary elements. 3. Limits of architect’s role in estimating and the point where outside professional estimators should be engaged.

The course material will draw from published industry materials and the instructor’s 30+ years experience as an architect, construction manager and university instructor in estimating.

Learning Objectives:

Understand what is building cost estimating and how the architect’s estimate differs from a construction contractor’s estimate.

Learn key estimating terminology like classes of estimates and levels of accuracy.

Discover useful methods of conceptual and preliminary estimating for architects including utilization of major industry databases such as RS Means and DCD.

Understand how building design elements impact building cost and the importance of separating essential and discretionary items.

Identify the levels of estimates that are appropriate for architects to provide and when to engage professional estimating services.

Course Number: AIAPDH713

Course Hours: 1 LU

Course Description:

From the moment architects engage with a client, or even a potential client, one of the questions they face is how much will the project cost? This implicitly requires the architect to have a basic knowledge of estimating a building cost. The purpose of this short course is to give architects, especially those in the early or mid levels of their careers, a working knowledge of estimating.

The course will address the following points: 1. Estimating terminology, levels of accuracy, methodologies and the use of industry databases. 2. Design factors that impact building costs – separating the code, safety and functional requirements from the discretionary elements. 3. Limits of architect’s role in estimating and the point where outside professional estimators should be engaged.

The course material will draw from published industry materials and the instructor’s 30+ years experience as an architect, construction manager and university instructor in estimating.

Learning Objectives:

Understand what is building cost estimating and how the architect’s estimate differs from a construction contractor’s estimate.

Learn key estimating terminology like classes of estimates and levels of accuracy.

Discover useful methods of conceptual and preliminary estimating for architects including utilization of major industry databases such as RS Means and DCD.

Understand how building design elements impact building cost and the importance of separating essential and discretionary items.

Identify the levels of estimates that are appropriate for architects to provide and when to engage professional estimating services.

Course Number: AIAPDH713

Course Hours: 1 LU