Construction Cost Estimating and Cost Control (Coursera)

Offered by Columbia University,
Construction Cost Estimating and Cost Control (Coursera)

This course introduces the types of cost estimation from the conceptual design phase through the more detailed design phase of a construction project. In addition, the course highlights the importance of controlling costs and how to monitor project cash flow. Students will work on a break-even analysis of construction tasks in a project.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

Course 3 of 4 in the Construction Management Specialization.

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Construction Cost Estimating and Cost Control Overview
Professor Odeh describes the course and provides an overview of what will be covered. Also covered is an introduction to Construction Cost Estimating and Cost Controls.
Understanding Design in the Construction Industry
Ian Taylor, project manager for Turner and Townsend, introduces the stages of design in a construction project.
Introduction to the Types of Cost Estimates
Professor Odeh describes the types of cost estimates in a construction project. Also covered in this module are the tools and methods used to create estimates.
Quantity Take-Off and Measurement
James Sneath, Associate Director of Cost Management for Turner and Townsend, and Ian Taylor, Project Manager for Turner and Townsend, discuss Quantity Take Off and Measurement. Estimating cut and fill costs is taught along with a detailed example of using cut and fill software. Also covered in this module is the topic of deep foundations, concrete foundations and structural steel, measurement, masonry, glass curtain wall, facade and wall finishes.

WEEK 2
Pricing
James Sneath, Associate Director of Cost Management for Turner and Townsend, discusses pricing, labor costs and equipment costs. Topics include, cost materials, formwork, reinforcing steel and concrete. Money component and productivity component is discussed in labor costs, as well as estimating equipment costs.
Building the Estimate
ames Sneath, Associate Director of Cost Management at Turner and Townsend, Inc., illustrates how to build an estimate. Sneath does a deep dive into a schematic design project.
Procurement
James Sneath, Associate Director of Cost Management for Turner and Townsend, discussed the procurement stage of a construction projects and they typical involvement of a cost manager or cost estimator.
Post Contract and Cost Estimation within a Project
James Sneath, Associate Director of Cost Management for Turner and Townsend Construction, discusses post contract and cost estimation with a construction project. Also covered in this module are cost reporting, change orders and communication and meetings.

WEEK 3
Construction Cost Control Methods
Professor Odeh introduces construction cost control and the work segments contained in a project.
Earned Value Method (EVM)
In this module, Professor Odeh goes deeper into the Earned Value Method of Cost Control.
Close Out Period
Ian Taylor, Project Manager at Turner and Townsend, Inc., introduces cost management close out and punch-list review.
Cost Estimation in Practice
James Sneath, Associate Director of Cost Management at Turner and Townsend, Inc., talks about cost estimation in general practice. The unit starts with tips in cost estimating and cost management and ends with a discussion of the international roles of cost managers.

WEEK 4
Project Cash Flow
Ben Miller, Project Manager at Gilbane Building Company, discusses contracts and cash flows. Revenues, expenses and how they impact projects as a whole will be covered.
Technology Trends in Cost Estimating and Cost Control
Kevin Labrecque, Senior Vice President at Harper Limbach LLC discusses technology trends in cost estimating and cost control. Topics include 5D Estimating Systems (BIM), estimating software, technology workflows, and implementation.

WEEK 5
Program Cost Estimating
Christopher Toomey, Senior Vice President at AECOM Global Programs, discusses cost control for large programs.
Lean in Cost Control
Sam Spata, Owner of Method Lean, presents this module on Lean In Cost Control.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Innovation Management (Coursera) Coursera
Erasmus University Rotterdam

Innovation Management (Coursera)

What is innovation management? How do firms bring in new business models and get new products and services to the market? Go on a nine-week journey through innovation management concepts, theories of idea generation, selection, strategy formulation and implementation in this MOOC in Innovation Management. In it, you will also learn the tools for implementing innovation projects yourself. Guided by world-class academics, you will develop an innovative mindset and expertise in how firms successfully create new ideas for marketing new products. The syllabus also includes sessions about innovation strategy, idea management and social networks.

Jul 9th 2026
5-12 Weeks
International Hospitality & Healthcare Services Marketing (Coursera) Coursera
Yonsei University

International Hospitality & Healthcare Services Marketing (Coursera)

As the fastest-growing sectors of the current global economy, both hospitality and healthcare services sector offer tremendous growth opportunities for incumbents and entrepreneurial opportunities for new entrants. To flourish on these opportunities, one must first understand each industry's unique characteristics. This course is designed to help those who are interested in career advancement opportunities in these industries or who want to be inspired by these industries to better equip themselves with enlightened and creative management capabilities.

Jul 6th 2026
3 Weeks
Project Planning: Putting It All Together (Coursera) Coursera
Google

Project Planning: Putting It All Together (Coursera)

This is the third course in the Google Project Management Certificate program. This course will explore how to map out a project in the second phase of the project life cycle: the project planning phase. You will examine the key components of a project plan, how to make accurate time estimates, and how to set milestones. Next, you will learn how to build and manage a budget and how the procurement processes work. Then, you will discover tools that can help you identify and manage different types of risk and how to use a risk management plan to communicate and resolve risks.

Jul 7th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Business Model Canvas: A Tool for Entrepreneurs and Innovators (Project-Centered Course) (Coursera) Coursera
University System of Georgia

Business Model Canvas: A Tool for Entrepreneurs and Innovators (Project-Centered Course) (Coursera)

In this project-centered course*, you will use the Business Model Canvas innovation tool to approach either a personal or corporate challenge or opportunity. You’ll learn to identify and communicate the nine key elements of a business model: Customer Segments, Value Proposition, Channels, Customer Relationships, Key Resources, Key Activities, Key Partners, Revenue Streams, and Cost Structure. Your completed project will be a polished Business Model Canvas that outlines the business case for a new product or service to address your selected challenge or opportunity. You’ll present your case in both a one-page document and a 10-minute video presentation.

Jul 6th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Introducción a las Finanzas (Coursera) Coursera
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

Introducción a las Finanzas (Coursera)

En este curso estudiaremos el objetivo principal de las finanzas, la importancia en la creación de valor y mantenerlo a través de un uso eficiente de los recursos financieros. Además, incluiremos algunas herramientas básicas que te permitirán crear un plan financiero con el que podrás establecer objetivos y metas claras, identificar qué factores pueden afectar el rumbo de tu empresa o idea de negocio y saber si estás aplicando los recursos de una manera eficiente.

Jul 6th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Writing Professional Email and Memos (Project-Centered Course) (Coursera) Coursera
University System of Georgia

Writing Professional Email and Memos (Project-Centered Course) (Coursera)

Want your workplace writing to make a positive impression? At the end of this course, you will be a more confident writer, able to create higher quality professional documents more quickly. This course is at the introductory or beginner level and focuses on mastering the basics of email etiquette and communication. While this course will help learners become faster and more efficient writers by virtue of practice with common writing purposes, it does not cover marketing emails or job application materials.

Jul 6th 2026
4 Weeks
Introduction to Spreadsheets and Models (Coursera) Coursera
University of Pennsylvania

Introduction to Spreadsheets and Models (Coursera)

The simple spreadsheet is one of the most powerful data analysis tools that exists, and it’s available to almost anyone. Major corporations and small businesses alike use spreadsheet models to determine where key measures of their success are now, and where they are likely to be in the future. But in order to get the most out of a spreadsheet, you have know how to use it. This course is designed to give you an introduction to basic spreadsheet tools and formulas so that you can begin harness the power of spreadsheets to map the data you have now and to predict the data you may have in the future.

Jul 6th 2026
4 Weeks
Power Onboarding (Coursera) Coursera
Northwestern University

Power Onboarding (Coursera)

Power Onboarding provides practical, easy-to-use tools to guide an individual who is transitioning to a new job. Students will prepare an actionable personal onboarding plan that will set them up for success in their new role. Research has shown that an actively followed power onboarding plan will allow an individual to reach proficiency in a new position up to 30% faster than the typical transitioning manager. In this course, students will develop their own onboarding plan, allowing them to contribute sooner and be eligible for promotion earlier.

Jul 6th 2026
4 Weeks
Gamification (Coursera) Coursera
University of Pennsylvania

Gamification (Coursera)

Gamification is the application of game elements and digital game design techniques to non-game problems, such as business and social impact challenges. This course will teach you the mechanisms of gamification, why it has such tremendous potential, and how to use it effectively.

Jul 6th 2026
5-12 Weeks
¿Cómo financiar mi empresa? (Coursera) Coursera
Universidad de los Andes

¿Cómo financiar mi empresa? (Coursera)

Este curso está estructurado para desarrollar la capacidad de entender el proceso de financiamiento de tu emprendimiento, es decir, la financiación de tu empresa para su creación, puesta en marcha y posterior crecimiento. Durante el curso podrás entender los elementos y la estructura de la financiación de tu proyecto, los recursos requeridos para llevarlo a cabo, y finalmente los métodos de identificación y obtención de dichos recursos.

Jul 6th 2026
4 Weeks
Leading Healthcare Quality and Safety (Coursera) Coursera
George Washington University

Leading Healthcare Quality and Safety (Coursera)

Ensuring patient safety and healthcare quality is critical and should be a key focus of everyone in healthcare practice. This course provides healthcare practitioners and others with an introduction to the knowledge and skills needed to lead patient safety and quality improvement initiatives at the micro and macro levels. Participants will explore the foundations of health care quality and the science underlying patient safety and quality improvement, design and select effective health care measures, analyze patient safety problems and processes using tools such as human factors analysis, apply systematic approaches including the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model to address quality improvement challenges, and learn strategies to lead a culture of change

Jul 6th 2026
5-12 Weeks