Introduction to Tendering and Estimating

Students should be able to: 1. Gain an awareness and understanding of the meaning of estimating, the principles and process of estimating; 2. Gain understanding of the types of estimating in construction works and where applicable; 3. Develop the knowledge and skill for estimating all-in rates for construction works; 4. Develop an understanding and skill for obtaining information required for estimating in construction works; and 5. Develop skill in the use of MS Excel to estimate from first principles.

Definition of estimating and tendering; the role of estimator in a construction organisation. Skills required of an estimator. Purposes of estimating; Types of estimating: preliminary estimating, approximate quantities estimating and detailed estimating. Methods of estimating: single rate estimate and range estimate. Obtaining, storing and retrieval of data and information required for estimating.