CIVIL & SITEWORK ESTIMATING
Civil and sitework estimating involves the takeoff of all external and foundational components of a construction project—what happens before the building starts going vertical. From excavation and grading to roads, utilities, and pavements, civil work forms the base on which everything else is built. This module equips students with the skills needed to perform accurate quantity takeoffs for civil and sitework using PlanSwift.
This is especially important for projects involving infrastructure, schools, warehouses, commercial buildings, and housing developments where earthwork, utilities, and roadworks are significant portions of the scope.
What You’ll Learn
01
Introduction to Civil & Sitework Components
Understand the scope of civil estimating — including excavation, grading, backfilling, utilities, curbs, sidewalks, roads, retaining walls, and stormwater systems. Learn how these elements shape the foundation of every construction project.
02
Reading Civil Drawings & Details
Learn to interpret site plans, grading layouts, utility maps, and cross-sections. You’ll become familiar with contour lines, spot elevations, slopes, and symbols essential for identifying sitework elements and measuring accurately.
03
Measuring Earthwork & Grading Quantities
Get hands-on with digital takeoffs for excavation, fill, and grading. You’ll calculate cut/fill volumes, trench lengths, and subgrade areas using PlanSwift, while factoring in shrinkage, swell, and equipment productivity.
04
Estimating Roads, Pavements & Utilities
Explore how to measure and estimate asphalt, concrete paving, curbs, storm drains, water lines, and electrical duct banks. You’ll handle different materials, trench types, and construction layers with accuracy.
05
Organizing Takeoffs for Site Packages
Learn to structure your takeoffs logically by activity or location — such as “earthwork,” “site concrete,” “underground utilities,” or “parking lot.” This improves clarity for coordination, budgeting, and bidding.
06
Preparing Cost-Effective Civil Estimates
Convert your quantities into well-documented estimates using unit rates. You’ll build outputs with labor, materials, and equipment costs — producing ready-to-use civil BOQs or bid packages for small to large-scale projects.
Our Academic Programs
Programs That Match Your Career Goals
Start from zero and build a solid foundation in construction estimation — learn drawings, takeoffs, and basic cost building in easy-to-follow modules.
Earn industry-recognized certificates that validate your estimating skills and boost your credibility with contractors, architects, and firms.
Work on complete construction projects from plans to final estimate a practical experience that prepares you for freelance or in-house roles.
Sharpen your skills with advanced topics like MEP, civil works, and finishing estimation using professional software and real-world projects.
Flexible, self-paced online access — study anytime, anywhere. Learn from expert estimators with hands-on demos and guided walkthroughs.
Stay updated with new tools, templates, and trends in digital estimation. Perfect for professionals looking to grow or shift into estimating roles.
Why Take This Course?
Civil and sitework form the foundation of every project — literally and financially. Estimating these works accurately is critical for project feasibility, cash flow planning, and construction sequencing.
This course is designed for estimators, engineers, contractors, and developers who want to confidently handle pre-structure works. Using PlanSwift and real drawings, you’ll learn how to:
- Measure excavation, grading, and utilities
- Read and interpret site-specific documentation
- Understand how civil works impact total project cost
- Deliver professional estimates aligned with industry standards
- Reduce risk and increase accuracy on infrastructure-heavy projects
If your projects include roads, drainage, or large-scale earthworks, this module is essential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions? We've got the answers you need.
Yes. You’ll be trained to calculate cut/fill volumes, trench lengths, and soil movement using digital tools and standard construction practices.
Absolutely. Roads, sidewalks, curbs, drainage, and utility layouts are a key part of this module, especially for schools, warehouses, and commercial sites.
No engineering background is needed. The course focuses on estimating — interpreting plans and performing quantity takeoffs — using clear, step-by-step guidance.
Yes. Whether you're working on housing subdivisions, retail sites, or institutional buildings, the principles and tools apply to all project sizes.