Understanding Building Cost Estimating for Architects

Description
From the moment architects engage with a client, or even a potential client, one of the questions they face is how much will the project cost? This implicitly requires the architect to have a basic knowledge of estimating a building cost. The purpose of this short course is to give architects, especially those in the early or mid levels of their careers, a working knowledge of estimating. The course will address the following points: 1. Estimating terminology, levels of accuracy, methodologies and the use of industry databases. 2. Design factors that impact building costs – separating the code, safety and functional requirements from the discretionary elements. 3. Limits of architect’s role in estimating and the point where outside professional estimators should be engaged. The course material will draw from published industry materials and the instructor’s 30+ years experience as an architect, construction manager and university instructor in estimating.

Learning Units: 1 LU
AIA Course Number: AIAPDH515