# Construction Bidding Course Online Canonical URL: ## Overview Step into the estimator's chair and experience what construction bidding really looks like when the pressure is on. This course pushes past basic takeoffs to uncover the kind of strategic thinking that turns good estimators into the ones who actually win work. Over six lessons, you'll follow a bid from the very first go or no-go decision, through assembling a strong subcontractor pool, leveling competing numbers to compare them fairly, and finally landing on a price that balances general conditions, fees, and contingency. You'll also see how contractors size up risk, the competition, their current backlog, and the client themselves when deciding just how sharp to sharpen their pencil. Every lesson blends the why behind the work with practical exercises drawn straight from situations estimators face on any given day, and it all builds toward a full bid day simulation and final exam. You'll put together complete, competitive bids while curveballs come at you, including last-minute changes, scope holes, and missing information, all while keeping your ethics intact. By the time you finish, you'll have both the technical chops and the gut-level instincts to help your team come out on top when bids are due. ## What you'll learn - Understand the full role of the estimator and where bidding fits into the bigger picture of a project's lifecycle - Decide which projects are worth chasing using go or no-go criteria, contract structure, competition, and backlog - Put together a qualified subcontractor bid list and chase down complete, competitive coverage across every trade - Level subcontractor bids by normalizing scope, spotting the gaps, and backing up your final selections - Price a complete bid by layering in general conditions, fee structure, and risk-based contingency - Handle the pressure of bid day and submit a final bid that's competitive, ethical, and buttoned up ## Curriculum #### Lesson 1: The Role of the Estimator - Estimator versus takeoff technician - Where bidding fits in the project lifecycle - What general contractors prioritize when pursuing work - Overview of the bidding workflow #### Lesson 2: Bid Strategy and Project Selection - Hard bid, negotiated work, and GMP structures - Go or no-go decision making - Understanding the bid environment, including competition and client behavior - Backlog and capacity considerations - Lesson 2 Hands-on Exercise #### Lesson 3: Subcontractor Strategy and Bid Solicitation - Building a bid list - Subcontractor prequalification, including financials, experience, and capacity - Ensuring adequate coverage across trades - Communication and outreach best practices - Lesson 3 Hands-on Exercise #### Lesson 4: Bid Leveling and Scope Analysis - Principles of comparing bids on an equal basis - Identifying scope gaps and overlaps - Reviewing clarifications and assumptions - Standard bid leveling workflows - Lesson 4 Hands-on Exercise #### Lesson 5: Pricing the Job - General Conditions, Fees, and Risk - Breakdown of general conditions, including staffing and site costs - Fee strategy and margin considerations - Contingency planning based on project risk #### Lesson 6: Bid Day and Final Submission - Bid day workflow and coordination - Managing last-minute changes and incomplete information - Ethical considerations in bidding practices - Final Exam ## Pricing **Tuition:** $579