Construction Planning and Estimating

Course Description

ETC 2207 — Construction Planning and Estimating — is a 2-credit-hour course in the Civil Engineering Technology program sequence. It introduces students to the principles and practices of construction planning, scheduling, and cost estimating as applied to civil engineering and construction projects. Students learn to read and interpret construction plans and specifications, perform quantity takeoffs, estimate material and labor costs, and develop project schedules using industry-standard methods and tools. The course bridges the gap between design documents and field execution by emphasizing the integrated relationship between project scope, cost, and time.

This course is part of Florida's Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS) under the taxonomy Engineering Technologies > Civil Engineering Technology and is designed to prepare technician-level students for roles in construction management, project planning, and cost estimating in both public and private sectors.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Read and interpret construction drawings, blueprints, and project specifications to identify scope of work.
• Perform quantity takeoffs (QTO) for materials, labor, and equipment on civil and construction projects.
• Apply basic estimating principles to calculate direct costs, including material, labor, and equipment costs.
• Develop a project cost estimate using standard unit-cost methods and published cost data resources (e.g., RSMeans).
• Construct a project schedule using bar charts (Gantt charts) and identify activity sequences and durations.
• Explain the bidding process, including the preparation and submission of a competitive bid proposal.
• Identify and classify types of construction costs, including direct costs, indirect costs, overhead, and profit.
• Demonstrate understanding of the Critical Path Method (CPM) as applied to project planning and scheduling.

Optional Outcomes

Depending on institutional emphasis, students may also be expected to:

• Use digital takeoff and estimating software (e.g., PlanSwift, Bluebeam, On-Screen Takeoff) to prepare quantity and cost estimates.
• Apply Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) to assess schedule uncertainty and project risk.
• Perform resource leveling and analyze crew productivity rates for cost and duration estimation.
• Prepare a preliminary or conceptual estimate during the pre-construction phase of a project.
• Discuss value engineering principles and their application to construction cost reduction without compromising quality.
• Introduce Building Information Modeling (BIM) as a tool for model-based quantity takeoff and scheduling (4D/5D BIM).

Major Topics

Required Topics

The following topics represent core content covered in all standard offerings of this course:

• Introduction to Construction Estimating: Types of estimates (conceptual, preliminary, detailed), estimating process, roles and responsibilities of the estimator.
• Reading Construction Plans and Specifications: Interpreting civil, architectural, and structural drawings; plot plans, foundation plans, floor plans, elevations, and site plans.
• Quantity Takeoff (QTO) Procedures: Manual and digital methods for measuring and quantifying materials including earthwork, concrete, masonry, structural steel, and site improvements.
• Unit Cost Estimating: Applying unit costs for materials, labor, and equipment; use of published databases such as RSMeans and local pricing data.
• Labor and Equipment Cost Analysis: Calculating crew composition, productivity rates, and equipment rental and ownership costs.
• Direct and Indirect Costs: Distinguishing job site costs, general overhead, profit, and contingency in preparing a total project estimate.
• Construction Scheduling — Bar Charts: Developing Gantt charts to represent activity sequences, durations, and milestones.
• Critical Path Method (CPM): Arrow and precedence diagramming, activity duration estimation, forward and backward pass calculations, float identification.
• Bid Preparation and the Bidding Process: Organizing a bid package, subcontractor coordination, bid forms, and submitting competitive proposals.
• Construction Specifications and CSI MasterFormat: Understanding division-based specification organization and its relationship to the estimate.

Optional Topics

The following topics may be included based on program focus, available technology, and instructor discretion:

• Digital Estimating Software: Hands-on use of tools such as PlanSwift, Bluebeam Revu, Trimble, or On-Screen Takeoff for digital plan measurement and cost assembly.
• PERT Analysis: Probabilistic scheduling, optimistic/pessimistic/most likely durations, expected time calculations.
• Resource Leveling and Scheduling: Allocating and balancing labor and equipment resources across project activities.
• Earthwork Estimating: Cut and fill calculations, soil shrinkage and swell factors, trenching, grading, and compaction considerations.
• Project Cost Control: Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), earned value management basics, and cost-tracking during construction.
• Introduction to BIM for Estimating: Model-based quantity takeoff concepts, 4D (schedule) and 5D (cost) BIM dimensions.
• Value Engineering: Techniques for identifying cost savings and alternative materials or methods without reducing project quality or functionality.
• Florida-Specific Considerations: Local building codes, hurricane-resistant construction cost impacts, permit costs, and regional material/labor rate variations.

Resources & Tools

• Textbooks: Construction Planning, Equipment, and Methods (Peurifoy, Schexnayder, Schmitt, and Shapira); Estimating in Building Construction (Peterson); Building Construction Costs with RSMeans Data (annual edition).
• Cost Databases: RSMeans Online (Gordian), Craftsman National Construction Estimator, and local supplier pricing lists.
• Estimating Software: PlanSwift, Bluebeam Revu, On-Screen Takeoff, Trimble, and Microsoft Excel for cost spreadsheets.
• Scheduling Software: Microsoft Project or similar CPM/Gantt chart tools.
• Standards and References: CSI MasterFormat Division Structure; Florida Building Code (FBC); AACE International Recommended Practices; ASPE (American Society of Professional Estimators) resources.
• Florida SCNS: flscns.fldoe.org — Florida Statewide Course Numbering System for articulation and transfer information.

Career Pathways

Completion of ETC 2207, within the Civil Engineering Technology A.S. degree or related certificate, prepares students for entry-level and advancing roles in construction, engineering, and project management. Relevant career pathways include:

• Construction Estimator / Cost Estimator — Preparing detailed quantity takeoffs and bid proposals for contractors, developers, and public agencies.
• Construction Planner / Scheduler — Developing and maintaining project schedules for civil infrastructure and building projects.
• Construction Engineering Technician — Supporting engineers and project managers in planning, cost control, and field supervision.
• Project Manager's Assistant / Assistant Superintendent — Coordinating subcontractors, monitoring budgets, and tracking project milestones on commercial or civil projects.
• Civil Engineering Technician — Working with public works agencies, transportation departments (FDOT), municipalities, or private engineering firms.

Students completing the full Civil Engineering Technology A.S. degree at Florida colleges such as Valencia College or Florida SouthWestern State College may also receive credit toward the four years of education required for eligibility to sit for Florida's General Contractor's Licensing Exam. Graduates may also pursue a Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) in Supervision and Management or Construction Management at a Florida state college or university.

Special Information

Certification Preparation: Content in ETC 2207 aligns with competencies tested in the following professional credentials:

• Florida State Certified General Contractor (CGC) — The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) requires demonstrated knowledge of construction estimating, project planning, and cost management as part of the contractor licensing examination.
• Certified Professional Estimator (CPE) — Awarded by the American Society of Professional Estimators (ASPE); this course covers core knowledge areas including quantity takeoff, pricing, and bid preparation aligned with ASPE's certification body of knowledge.
• AACE International Certifications (e.g., Certified Cost Technician — CCT) — The Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering recognizes foundational estimating and project control skills developed in courses such as this one.

Articulation Note: Under Florida's Statewide Course Numbering System, ETC 2207 is a statewide-designated course number. Credits earned are fully transferable among Florida public colleges and universities offering the equivalent course, facilitating seamless articulation into B.S. or B.A.S. programs in Construction Management, Civil Engineering Technology, or related fields.