COURSE OVERVIEW:
Welcome to the Cost Estimation & Budgeting in Brick & Blocklaying Projects course. This training is designed to build your capability in preparing accurate cost estimates and managing budgets across a wide range of masonry projects. Whether you're pricing new builds, extensions, or complex commercial developments, a strong grasp of estimation principles will allow you to maintain project profitability, reduce financial risk, and deliver works in line with client expectations and contract requirements.
Effective estimation begins with a clear understanding of project scope and documentation. This section explains how to interpret architectural and structural drawings, identify key materials and specifications, and recognise provisional items or potential variations that could affect cost outcomes. Reading and confirming project details at this stage ensures clarity and prevents costly oversights later.
Cost implications vary depending on the nature of the project. This section outlines the key differences between residential and commercial masonry jobs, as well as considerations for new builds, refurbishments, and structural versus veneer wall applications. Each of these project types requires its own approach to costing, scheduling, and material selection.
Accurate quantity take-offs are essential in brick and blocklaying. This section covers how to measure brickwork areas, wall heights, and reinforcement volumes, as well as how to account for returns, piers, openings, and lintels. A reliable take-off process forms the foundation for effective budgeting and procurement.
Labour cost estimation is a critical component of overall budgeting. This section explores how to calculate crew size, output rates, and allowances for breaks, delays, and site-specific challenges. It also provides guidance on adjusting labour rates in response to complex or high-access jobs.
Material costing must reflect real-world waste and delivery conditions. This section teaches how to estimate the quantity and type of bricks, blocks, mortar, and additives required, while also considering potential loss due to breakage, batch inconsistency, or site handling. Obtaining multiple supplier quotes and accounting for delivery fees are essential practices.
Tools and equipment costs are often underestimated. This section outlines how to list necessary hand tools and mechanical aids, evaluate the cost of hiring versus buying, and incorporate maintenance, fuel, and replacement costs into the overall project budget.
Site preparation carries its own set of preliminary costs. This section covers expenses related to cleaning and levelling, setting out profiles and string lines, and erecting scaffolds or access platforms—all of which must be included in the initial cost plan.
Mortar and additive use varies by project. This section explains how to calculate sand, cement, lime, and additive requirements based on selected mix ratios, how to estimate volumes for delivery and mixing, and how to account for loss and handling waste during on-site preparation.
Scaffolding and working platform costs are essential to access and safety planning. This section examines the hire, installation, and dismantling costs of mobile or fixed scaffolds, along with ongoing inspection fees and compliance with height safety requirements.
Masonry projects generate a significant amount of waste. This section discusses how to estimate the volume and type of waste produced and how to allocate costs for bin hire, skip transport, and environmentally responsible disposal methods in line with council regulations.
Weather and unforeseen delays can cause major cost blowouts. This section guides you through building contingency into budgets to allow for rain, high temperatures, or restricted access, while adjusting labour productivity assumptions based on site downtime.
Subcontractors and specialist trades may be required for some jobs. This section outlines how to estimate the cost of external trades such as steel fixers, assess inclusions and exclusions in their quotes, and clarify scope overlaps to avoid double costing or omissions.
Profit margins and business overheads must be factored in to ensure a sustainable enterprise. This section shows how to determine mark-up rates, incorporate administrative and fixed business costs, and apply consistent margin strategies across varying project types.
A detailed bill of quantities (BOQ) supports transparency and progress claims. This section explains how to break down bricklaying work into quantifiable components, structure cost items clearly, and align payment stages with completed works for invoicing purposes.
Larger jobs require phased budgeting. This section covers how to allocate costs by project stages or milestones, distribute resources effectively over time, and monitor the movement of funds across sequential construction phases.
Digital tools streamline the estimating process. This section introduces commonly used estimating software in the Australian construction sector, highlighting the advantages of using digital templates, real-time updates, and integrated price libraries for faster, more accurate budgeting.
Tracking actual costs against estimates is key to learning and improvement. This section provides strategies for recording real-time labour and material usage, identifying overruns early, and refining future estimates based on historical performance.
Stakeholder communication is critical in managing budget expectations. This section explores how to present estimates to clients and contractors, break down costs clearly, explain pricing variations, and gain approval for additional scope where required.
Budgeting accuracy improves over time with review. This final section guides you through reviewing project outcomes against your initial budget, identifying patterns in cost overruns, and applying lessons learned to continually refine your estimation practices.
By the end of this course, you will have the knowledge, tools, and confidence to produce accurate and efficient cost estimates for brick and blocklaying projects, while effectively managing budgets to support long-term business success and compliance in the Australian construction sector.
Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:
1. Introduction to Cost Estimation and Budgeting
- Purpose of accurate estimating in masonry projects
- Link between budgeting and project profitability
- Roles and responsibilities of estimators and supervisors
2. Understanding Project Scope and Specifications
- Analysing architectural and structural drawings
- Identifying materials, finishes, and tolerances
- Clarifying variations and provisional items
3. Identifying Types of Brick & Blocklaying Projects
- Residential vs commercial masonry jobs
- New builds, refurbishments, and extensions
- Load-bearing vs veneer walling applications
4. Quantity Take-Off Procedures
- Measuring brickwork areas and wall heights
- Counting openings, returns, and piers
- Calculating volume for blockwork and reinforcement
5. Labour Cost Estimation
- Determining crew size and output rates
- Including allowances for breaks and complexity
- Adjusting labour cost for site access and conditions
6. Estimating Material Costs
- Calculating bricks, blocks, and mortar volumes
- Accounting for waste, breakage, and batch differences
- Sourcing supplier quotes and delivery fees
7. Tools and Equipment Costing
- Listing hand tools and mechanical aids
- Equipment hire vs purchase decisions
- Maintenance and replacement considerations
8. Site Preparation and Preliminary Costs
- Cleaning and levelling the site
- Setting out profiles and string lines
- Erecting scaffolds and access platforms
9. Mortar and Additive Cost Calculations
- Selecting appropriate mortar mix ratios
- Estimating sand, cement, lime, and additives
- Delivery, mixing, and handling cost factors
10. Scaffolding and Access-Related Costs
- Hiring mobile scaffolding or erecting fixed systems
- Installation and dismantling charges
- Safety compliance and inspections
11. Waste Management and Disposal Costs
- Anticipating offcut and packaging waste
- Bin hire and skip transportation
- Complying with environmental and council regulations
12. Allowances for Weather and Site Delays
- Weather interruptions and site downtime
- Allowing contingency for unproductive hours
- Adjusting productivity assumptions
13. Subcontractor and Specialist Involvement
- Costing for additional trades
- Managing subcontractor inclusions and exclusions
- Ensuring quote comparison and scope clarity
14. Profit Margins and Business Overheads
- Determining reasonable profit mark-up
- Factoring in business overhead costs
- Applying consistent margin policies across projects
15. Preparing a Detailed Bill of Quantities (BOQ)
- Breaking work into measurable components
- Structuring cost items for clarity and accuracy
- Aligning BOQ with progress claim stages
16. Budgeting for Multi-Stage Construction
- Separating costs by project phases
- Allocating resources across timelines
- Monitoring budget progression stage by stage
17. Using Estimating Software and Digital Tools
- Benefits of software over manual calculation
- Common platforms used in construction estimating
- Maintaining updated price libraries and templates
18. Tracking Actual Costs During Construction
- Recording material usage and labour hours
- Identifying budget overruns early
- Making adjustments to future estimates
19. Communicating Budget Information to Stakeholders
- Presenting estimates to builders and clients
- Providing clear breakdowns and disclaimers
- Discussing variations and budget approvals
20. Reviewing and Improving Estimation Accuracy
- Analysing completed projects against original budgets
- Identifying trends and sources of cost overrun
- Implementing continuous improvement in estimating systems
COURSE DURATION:
The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.
COURSE DELIVERY:
Purchase and download course content.
ASSESSMENT:
A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.
CERTIFICATION:
Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.