Introduction to Estimating for General Contractors (2-Nights)

Ready to Build a Career in Estimating?

Join us for a 2-night course designed to give general contractors, aspiring estimators, and preconstruction professionals the foundational skills to build accurate, reliable estimates. From understanding design drawings and industry-standard classification systems to setting up estimates in Excel, this class equips you with practical tools you can apply immediately in the preconstruction phase. This course is taught from the perspective of a General Contractor building a complete, all-inclusive project estimate, not trade-specific pricing (for example, this is not a course on pricing partitions as a drywall contractor or hardware sets as a door subcontractor).

What You’ll Learn:

• Develop the foundational skills to build accurate estimates for general contracting projects
• Gain insight into the estimating process and understand industry-standard formats
• Learn how to organize and categorize components for an efficient estimation system
• Understanding Design Drawings: Learn the different phases of project design
• Conceptual, schematic, design development, and construction stages
• Gathering Key Attributes: Learn to assess gross square footage (gsf), perimeters, and floor-to-floor heights for accurate project requirements
• Estimating Formats: Dive into CSI Masterformat and Uniformat—industry-standard classification systems
• Practical Estimating with Excel: Set up estimates using Excel, with tips, tricks, and best practices to streamline the process
• CSI Division Content Organization: Learn how to categorize project components efficiently by CSI division

Who Should Attend?

• Aspiring General Contractors
• Professionals interested in learning the fundamentals of estimating
• Those looking to improve their preconstruction phase skills
• Subcontractors who want to understand how a General Contractor builds a complete project estimate

Course Logistics:

• Dates: December 14 & December 16, 2026
• Time: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM both days
• Location: ABC Allentown Office – 894 Marcon Blvd. Allentown, PA 18109

Participants who attend both sessions will receive a Certificate of Completion.

Registration closes Friday, December 4, 2026, and a minimum of 4 participants is required for the class to run as scheduled.

Meet Your Instructor:

Instructor: Maryanne Kostick

Maryanne Kostick is a Cost Manager at The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company with over 10 years of experience in the field of estimating. As a passionate educator, she conducts training sessions focused on enhancing the preconstruction phase of projects. Maryanne is committed to advancing industry knowledge and ensuring that each project is set up for success from the very beginning.