• Forma Takeoff
  • Revit

Construction estimating

Course overview

 
In this course, you’ll learn the fundamental principles of estimating and gain practical, real-world skills using two of the industry’s most widely adopted BIM tools: Autodesk Revit and Forma Preconstruction.
 
Starting with foundational estimating concepts, you’ll explore the various types of estimates used throughout a project lifecycle, from conceptual estimates in the early design phases to detailed quantity takeoffs used for bidding and procurement. You’ll learn how to apply these concepts directly within BIM environments, leveraging model-based data to improve accuracy, transparency, and efficiency.
 
Using Revit, you’ll develop cost estimates from design models by extracting quantities and applying cost parameters through built-in schedules and formulas. Then, you’ll shift to Autodesk Preconstruction to perform cloud-based quantity takeoffs and estimates from 2D and 3D models, define classification systems, create measurement rules, and analyze cost data at scale.
 
Whether you’re preparing budgets during pre-construction or supporting real-time decision-making during project execution, this course gives you the tools and techniques to produce reliable, model-driven estimates that support better collaboration and cost control across the project team. 
 
After completing this course, you will be able to:
  • Explain key estimating concepts and types of construction estimates.
  • Identify components of an estimate and their role in cost planning.
  • Describe how estimating fits into BIM workflows.
  • Prepare Revit models for accurate quantity extraction.
  • Create schedules and apply formulas to estimate costs in Revit.
  • Use model data in Revit to support early cost planning.
  • Set up and manage the project in ACC.
  • Extract and classify quantities from 2D drawings and 3D models in Autodesk Takeoff.
  • Calculate the project cost in Autodesk Estimate.
  • Calculate total embodied carbon.

Other courses that cover topics such as preconstruction management, construction scheduling and cost control, construction management, and construction safety can be found at the Construction Management for Education collection.

Update for courses covering Autodesk Construction Cloud

Autodesk Construction Cloud is now part of Autodesk Forma.

You may notice that platform and product names in our products have changed to the new Forma brand. Please note that platform and product names in this course may not yet be updated, but the functionality of the products and tools remains the same, and the workflows described in these pages are still applicable.

The following terms referred to throughout these videos and documents are updated to a new Forma brand name:

Autodesk Construction Cloud → Forma for Construction (for education)

Autodesk Docs → Forma Data Management

Autodesk Build → Forma Build

Autodesk Takeoff → Forma Takeoff (now appears under Preconstruction in the product picker)

Autodesk Estimate → Forma Estimate

Autodesk Preconstruction → Forma Preconstruction

 

Course downloads

These downloadable resources will be used to complete modules in this course:

Teaching supplements

This video guide is designed for instructors to help them get started with Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) in their classroom. It is assumed that you have Account Administrator access in ACC and a hub. The steps in the video should be followed so that students can use the datasets and follow along with the course videos.


Note: Assigning ACC licenses to students should be performed through ACC (https://acc.autodesk.com/) and NOT the Autodesk Account page. Assigning licenses to other products such as Revit, AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Cloud Worksharing, etc. is performed through the Autodesk Account page (https://manage.autodesk.com/).

Resources just for educators

Teach this course in the classroom or assign it to students as homework. Download the provided instructor guide for teaching the course content in the classroom, with learning objectives and estimated times for demonstration and practice.

Additionally, lecture slides, exercise files, and a grading rubric for the challenge in the course are provided. Students can either work in teams or solve the challenges on their own.

The step-by-step instructions of the video above should be followed in order to implement this course in the classroom.

 

Want to create custom learning playlists to share with your students?

Choose and share the modules and courses that best fit your curriculum using Lists. Once you create a List, share the URL with your students and they can sign into their Autodesk Account to access.

  • To create a List, select [+] 'Add to list' in the banner of a course or module.
  • To share a list with others, set the list visibility to Public and share the link.

Download teaching supplements:

Announcements

Autodesk Construction Cloud is now part of Autodesk Forma.

You may notice that platform and product names in our products have changed to the new Forma brand. Please note that platform and product names in this course may not yet be updated, but the functionality of the products and tools remains the same, and the workflows described in these pages are still applicable.

The following terms referred to throughout these videos and documents are updated to a new Forma brand name:

Autodesk Construction Cloud → Forma for Construction (for education)

Autodesk Docs → Forma Data Management

Autodesk Build → Forma Build

Autodesk Takeoff → Forma Takeoff (now appears under Preconstruction in the product picker)

Autodesk Estimate → Forma Estimate

Autodesk Preconstruction → Forma Preconstruction

 

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