COURSE OVERVIEW:
Welcome to the Cost Estimation & Budgeting for Rigging Projects course. This training will provide you with the knowledge and practical tools to accurately estimate costs, structure budgets, and manage financial performance throughout the lifecycle of a rigging project. In the high-risk, high-cost environment of rigging and crane operations, precise estimation is critical to ensuring profitability, controlling risk, and delivering work safely and efficiently.
The course begins by outlining the purpose of cost estimation in rigging operations. Participants will learn the distinctions between direct costs, indirect costs, and contingency allowances, and understand how accurate estimating contributes to successful project delivery, client satisfaction, and risk management. Emphasis is placed on establishing a structured approach to capturing the full scope of rigging-related expenses.
Successful cost planning starts with a thorough review of project scope. This section focuses on interpreting rigging plans, lift studies, and job specifications, and how to evaluate the type, size, and frequency of lifts. Environmental and site constraints are also considered, including how factors such as ground conditions, access limitations, or traffic control requirements can influence cost.
Cost estimation requires breaking down all components that contribute to the project. This section guides participants through identifying the full range of cost items, including labour, plant, rigging equipment, consumables, subcontractor services, transport, and safety-related expenses.
Labour is a major cost driver. This section explains how to determine the crew composition required for different lift types and how to calculate man-hours, factoring in award rates, allowances, shift loadings, and penalties. Participants will learn how to translate work scope into a labour budget that reflects real-world performance expectations.
Hiring or using owned plant and equipment requires careful consideration. This section provides guidance on selecting the right cranes, vehicles, and lifting gear, and understanding dry hire versus wet hire pricing. It also addresses mobilisation and demobilisation costs, as well as managing delays or stand-down time.
Rigging gear itself has a cost impact. This section covers how to itemise and price slings, shackles, spreader bars, and other gear, and how to manage reusable items across projects. Considerations around hiring vs purchasing, wear-and-tear items, and loss prevention are also explored.
Subcontractor services may be required to support rigging works. This section outlines how to estimate costs for specialist services such as traffic control, engineering certification, or third-party verification. Participants will learn how to define scope boundaries and assess lump sum versus hourly rates.
Pre-lift engineering and planning can represent a significant investment in complex projects. This section teaches how to budget for lift studies, engineered drawings, certifications, site surveys, and verifications—all of which are essential for safety, compliance, and execution planning.
Permit and compliance costs must not be overlooked. Participants will learn how to budget for council permits, crane permits, high-risk work licensing, and other compliance-related costs, including documentation and training requirements such as white cards and site-specific inductions.
Transport and logistics are often underestimated. This section explains how to cost for the movement of cranes, rigging gear, and loads, including escort vehicles, route assessments, tolls, fuel, and fatigue management requirements for drivers on long hauls or oversize routes.
Rigging sites require physical preparation. This section addresses how to estimate the cost of preparing crane pads, managing access points, laying down matting, and setting up exclusion zones or barricades to meet safety requirements and site access protocols.
Every estimate must include contingency and allowances for risk. This section explores how to identify potential risks, apply appropriate contingency percentages, and differentiate between known unknowns (e.g. weather delays) and truly unforeseen circumstances that may affect delivery.
Building a detailed cost breakdown improves visibility and review. This section outlines how to structure estimates line by line based on lift stages or equipment groups, ensuring each item is logically sequenced and clearly aligned with the project timeline and scope.
Translating an estimate into a working budget is the next step. This section teaches how to allocate budgets to cost centres, assign responsibility to team leads or supervisors, and establish tracking structures to support reporting and real-time financial oversight.
External and internal quoting requires professionalism and clarity. This section covers how to format quotes for clients, including clear inclusions, exclusions, disclaimers, and commercial terms. Participants will also learn how to apply mark-ups, manage profit margins, and meet procurement expectations in competitive tenders.
Budget performance must be monitored as the project unfolds. This section focuses on capturing cost data from the field—such as timesheets, plant logs, and dockets—and using it to compare against budget forecasts, identify overruns early, and adjust financial planning accordingly.
Changes to scope are inevitable in rigging work. This section addresses how to manage cost implications of variations, price rework or additions accurately, and secure written approval to protect commercial interests and client relationships.
Post-project review is essential for improving future estimates. Participants will learn how to compare actual outcomes to the original budget, analyse cost drivers, document lessons learned, and update internal databases and productivity rates to refine future pricing models.
By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the expertise to produce accurate, professional, and defensible cost estimates and budgets for rigging projects—supporting safe, profitable, and well-controlled project delivery from tender through to completion.
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 in Rigging Projects
- Purpose of cost estimation and budgeting in rigging operations
- Key differences between direct costs, indirect costs, and contingencies
- Understanding how accurate estimating affects project success
2. Reviewing Project Scope and Lift Complexity
- Interpreting rigging plans, lift studies, and job specifications
- Identifying the type, size, and frequency of lifts required
- Assessing environmental and site constraints that impact cost
3. Identifying Cost Components in Rigging Operations
- Labour, plant, equipment, consumables, subcontractors, and permits
- Transport, mobilisation, demobilisation, and cranage
- Supervision, engineering, and safety compliance overheads
4. Labour Cost Estimation for Rigging Crews
- Determining required roles: riggers, doggers, lift supervisors
- Calculating man-hours based on lift type and task duration
- Applying award rates, site allowances, overtime, and penalties
5. Equipment and Plant Hire Costing
- Selecting suitable cranes, lifting gear, transport, and support plant
- Understanding dry hire vs wet hire pricing structures
- Factoring in mobilisation time, demobilisation costs, and stand-down risk
6. Rigging Gear and Hardware Material Costs
- Itemising slings, shackles, spreader bars, lifting beams, and hooks
- Accounting for wear-and-tear items or hire vs purchase decisions
- Managing reusable rigging stock vs job-specific gear
7. Subcontractor and Specialist Service Costs
- Estimating costs for specialist subcontractors
- Clarifying scope boundaries and integration with your team
- Comparing lump sum quotes vs hourly rates
8. Pre-Lift Planning and Engineering Costs
- Engineering certification for complex or critical lifts
- Lift study preparation, technical drawings, and third-party verifications
- Surveying, testing, and site setup design
9. Permits, Licences, and Compliance Costs
- Securing high-risk work permits, council permissions, and crane permits
- Allowing for documentation, lodgement fees, and regulatory inspections
- Budgeting for site inductions, white cards, and safety training
10. Transport and Logistics Estimation
- Calculating transport costs for cranes, counterweights, rigging gear, and loads
- Planning for escort vehicles, route surveys, and oversize access
- Allowing for fuel, driver hours, tolls, and travel-related contingencies
11. Site Preparation and Access Management Costs
- Estimating ground preparation, crane pad construction, and matting
- Temporary fencing, signage, exclusion zone setup, and barricading
- Factoring in laydown areas and storage security
12. Estimating Contingency and Risk Allowances
- Identifying risks: weather delays, mechanical failure, lifting complexity
- Applying contingency percentages based on risk profile
- Differentiating between known unknowns and unforeseen events
13. Preparing a Detailed Cost Breakdown
- Structuring the estimate by task, lift stage, or equipment group
- Creating line-by-line visibility for review and approval
- Ensuring logical sequencing of costs to match the project program
14. Developing a Project Budget Framework
- Translating estimate into a project budget with cost centres
- Allocating budgets to crews, supervisors, and procurement teams
- Setting up reporting structures for tracking and forecasting
15. Quoting for Internal and External Clients
- Formatting quotes for clients: inclusions, exclusions, and disclaimers
- Managing mark-up, profit margins, and commercial terms
- Ensuring compliance with procurement expectations and tender responses
16. Tracking Budget Performance On-Site
- Monitoring actual vs estimated costs during project delivery
- Capturing field data from timesheets, delivery dockets, and plant logs
- Adjusting forecasts as job conditions evolve
17. Managing Variations and Scope Changes
- Identifying cost impacts of client-directed changes or rework
- Preparing variation pricing with detailed breakdowns
- Communicating changes clearly and securing approvals in writing
18. Post-Project Review and Lessons Learned
- Comparing budget outcomes with the original estimate
- Analysing causes of overruns or savings
- Updating cost databases, productivity rates, and templates
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”.