# Construction Bidding Course Online (Coming Soon)

Canonical URL: <https://vdci.edu/courses/construction-bidding-course-online>

## Overview

This course gives you a real look at what construction bidding is actually like from the estimator's seat. It goes past simple takeoffs and into the strategic thinking that separates estimators who consistently win work from those who just crunch numbers. Across six lessons, you'll work through the full bid lifecycle, starting with how firms decide which projects are worth pursuing, then moving into building a solid subcontractor pool, leveling bids to make fair comparisons, and finally pricing the job with the right mix of general conditions, fees, and contingency. You'll also get a feel for how general contractors weigh risk, competition, backlog, and client behavior when figuring out how aggressively to price a project.

Each lesson pairs core concepts with hands-on exercises built around the kinds of situations estimators run into every day, and the course wraps up with a bid day simulation and final exam. You'll practice putting together complete, competitive bids while dealing with last-minute changes, scope gaps, and missing information, all without cutting corners on ethics. By the end, you should walk away with both the practical skills and the strategic instincts you need to help your team win work in a tough bidding environment.

## What you'll learn

- Understand the full role of the estimator and how bidding fits into the overall project lifecycle
- Evaluate projects for pursuit using go/no-go criteria, contract structure, competition, and backlog
- Build a qualified subcontractor bid list and solicit complete, competitive coverage across trades
- Level subcontractor bids by normalizing scope, identifying gaps, and justifying final selections
- Price a complete bid by incorporating general conditions, fee structure, and risk-based contingency
- Navigate bid day pressures to submit a competitive, ethical, and complete final bid

## 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

## Instructors

### Matt F. — Instructor

Matt F. is a well-rounded construction professional with a diverse background of construction industry experience. Matt has strong experience working on major commercial and residential construction projects, overseeing projects from pre-construction through to closeout. He also has a deep knowledge of the construction technology space, having hands-on experience with many of the major players in the construction technology landscape. Matt loves sharing his industry knowledge with others and continuing to learn about the newest trends in construction technology.

## Pricing

**Tuition:** $579