Overview
In today’s competitive construction industry, accurate cost estimation is crucial for effective project management and competitive bidding. Commercial and residential construction companies require skilled estimators who can provide precise forecasts to secure profitable contracts and ensure project success.
Are you ready to improve or refine your estimating skills and advance your career? Our new Construction Estimating and Bid Preparation Certificate of Achievement will help you get there.
In this comprehensive 164-hour program, you'll learn how to:
- understand the basics of construction bids, project delivery systems and cost-estimating principles
- perform site investigations, measure quantities and create accurate estimates and material lists
- prepare bid document and manage the document lifecycle, including scheduling interpretation
- use the latest construction software, Bluebeam, to create digital estimates and documents
- identify different contract types
- conduct post-bid reviews to ensure estimates meet project specifications
- accurately price materials, labour and equipment while considering seasonal and environmental factors
- use cost reporting systems to track project progress against budgets and manage changes.
Taught by industry-experienced instructors, this self-paced online program features interactive, modular learning content with assessments, tools and resources that can be immediately applied to real-world projects. For courses ESTM-005 to ESTM-008, you'll use Bluebeam to complete coursework and assessments. For courses ESTM-004 to ESTM-008, you'll have the option to participate in weekly one-hour virtual drop-in sessions with your instructor and peers to enrich your learning experience.
By the end of the program, you'll be well-prepared to produce accurate estimates and distinguish yourself as a skilled construction estimator in Canada’s thriving construction industry.
This program is ideal if you:
- are an early-to-mid-level professional in the construction industry, particularly if you're involved in project management, quantity surveying or cost estimation
- want to work in construction estimating roles that require a deep understanding of both traditional and digital estimating processes.
Funding Opportunities
Learn more about how to pay for or reduce your education/training costs with available awards, bursaries, loan options and grants, including the Canada Alberta Job Grant.
There are no specific admission requirements (academic and/or work experience). Any industry-related experience you already have will be beneficial.
Delivery formats: For your convenience, we deliver courses in this program in an online asynchronous format, enriching most of them with weekly instructor-led virtual sessions. Learn more about our delivery formats.
Micro-credentials: Currently, only CNST-003 Reading Plans and Specifications is eligible for a SAITMicro digital badge, a great way to communicate your accomplishments and skills through your social networks. Learn more about SAITMicro.
Program completion: This program can be completed in as little as six to 12 months part-time (subject to course availability) and up to three years. An official non-credit SAIT Certificate of Achievement and transcript will be electronically issued to you upon successful completion. Learn more about SAIT credentials.
If you're pursuing the full certificate, complete CNST-003 first. Take the remaining courses as listed, taking note of prerequisites. We recommend registering as soon as possible (7–14 days in advance of the course start date). Payment is required by Visa or Mastercard upon registration.
To self-serve register online:
- Set up your Continuing Education student account.
- Follow instructions on How to register and pay for a course.
Declaring your certificate:
Once you’ve registered, we’ll automatically attach the certificate course requirements to your Continuing Education student account in the My Certificates and Designations tab where you can track your progression to completion.