AGC Training Courses

Estimate With Impact – Heavy Highway Civil Estimating
2026-10-30 10:00 - 2026-11-20 14:00 (America/New_York)
4-Part Workshop is held FridaysOctober 30; November 6, 13, 2010 AM – 2 PM ET

*Participation in this workshop is for one person per registration.

About the Workshop

Get hands-on with the complete heavy highway civil estimating workflow in this four-part, highly interactive Estimate with Impact – Heavy Highway Civil Estimating workshop. From interpreting DOT plan sets to running live bid simulations, this workshop builds your confidence across core estimating tasks while sharpening your ability to structure, analyze and communicate estimates. You’ll strengthen your foundation in preconstruction by practicing modern workflows that incorporate risk awareness, defensible pricing, and AI-assisted tools—all applied to key heavy civil project scopes like earthwork, paving, structures, and utilities.

Each session progresses your skills with a mix of guided instruction, collaborative exercises, and demonstrations. You’ll interpret plans and specs to extract and organize quantities, build unit prices by assembling labor, equipment, and materials. You’ll walk away with sharpened technical skills, a clearer risk lens, and practical tools you can immediately apply on the job.

.

Workshop Outcomes

Identify scope gaps, key bid items, and quantity drivers in heavy civil DOT plans

Build structured estimates using Excel and other technology tools

Use AI prompts to run takeoffs and historical cost analysis

Simulate a real bid day — defend and adjust numbers in teams

Create a personal action plan for real-world application

Recognize risks and set appropriate contingencies

Who should attend: Early-career civil estimators (0–3 years), project/field engineers transitioning into preconstruction, and pros supporting DOT bids.

**Participants will need to access Excel and Google Drive during this workshop.

Technology and ParticipationFor the classroom:– Please have Zoom downloaded.– Computer with dual monitor preferred.– Laptop is good with a separate tablet to access the materials.

For Participation:– Camera, built in or added on and ready to stream to the classroom.– Headphones or earbuds with microphones are preferred.– Each student should be on their own computer/laptop/tablet.– If this is a software training, please have the software downloaded and logged in.

Cancellation Policy:

A full refund will be given to cancellations made 14 calendar days prior to the class kick-off. After such time, no refunds will be given. Replacements are acceptable and must be submitted via email to meetings[@]agc.org.

AGC reserves the right to cancel programs up to 10 days prior to the start date if a minimum number of attendees is not met.

Questions? Email us at education[@]agc.org

Meet Your Facilitator:

Daniel BeattyFounder and Owner, Constructive Leadership Solutions

Daniel Beatty knows construction from the ground up—and he knows that strong projects start with stronger people. With over 35 years leading heavy civil construction teams as a project manager, estimator, and executive, Daniel brings a rare blend of field-tested experience and fresh, people-centered leadership strategies to today’s workforce challenges.

As founder of Constructive Leadership Solutions and a certified 5 Voices facilitator, Daniel specializes in helping construction companies build cultures that attract, retain, and grow top talent. He’s the voice behind the “Culture Under Construction” newsletter on LinkedIn, where he shares straight-talking, practical advice on bridging generational gaps, improving communication, and making leadership real on the jobsite.

Blueprint Reading Intermediate
2026-11-17 14:00 - 2026-12-03 17:30
4-Part Workshop is Tuesdays and ThursdaysNovember 17, 19; December 1, 32 – 5:30 PM EST

*Click the button below to fill out a brief form and skill level check, if applicable.

About the Workshop

This intermediate level, application‑focused 4-part workshop is designed to build on the foundational knowledge gained in *Blueprint Reading Basics and strengthen your ability to work confidently with complex construction documents.

This Blueprint Reading Intermediate workshop is developed to guide students beyond basic plan navigation and into deeper interpretation, coordination, and practical use of construction drawings and specifications. Participants will gain hands‑on experience analyzing more complex drawing sets, understanding how multiple disciplines interact, and recognizing how design documents are used throughout the construction process. Through guided instruction and real‑world examples, students will learn to interpret detailed sections, assemblies, and system layouts; cross‑reference architectural, structural, and MEP drawings; and identify discrepancies or conflicts before they impact the field. Emphasis is placed on cross-referencing multiple disciplines, understanding design intent, sequencing, constructability, and how drawings, specifications, revision/Delta, RFIs, and submittals work together during project execution.

* If Blueprint Reading Basics (1) or A3CM Basic Blueprint Reading 100 Level with Stephen Nichols has not been previously completed, a brief skill-level check is required prior to enrollment. Click Here to Get Started

.

Workshop Outcomes

Confidently interpret and analyze complex drawing details, sections, assemblies, and multi‑sheet references within coordinated construction drawing sets.

Begin to identify inconsistencies, omissions, sequencing issues, and potential constructability concerns prior to construction.

Begin to interpret structural systems, MEP systems, and building assemblies, and understand how they integrate to accomplish the overall design intent.

Working comprehension of the cross functional relationship between various trades, while coordinating within project designs.Who should take this course:This course is ideal for construction professionals who are ready to move beyond introductory blueprint reading and develop stronger analytical skills for field implementation and project coordination, including field supervisors, foremen, estimators, project engineers, and trade partners.

Technology and ParticipationFor the classroom:– Please have Zoom downloaded.– Computer with dual monitor preferred.– Laptop is good with a separate tablet to access the materials.

For Participation:– Camera, built in or added on and ready to stream to the classroom.– Headphones or earbuds with microphones are preferred.– Each student should be on their own computer/laptop/tablet.

Cancellation Policy:

A full refund will be given to cancellations made 14 calendar days prior to the class kick-off. After such time, no refunds will be given. Replacements are acceptable and must be submitted via email to meetings[@]agc.org.

AGC reserves the right to cancel programs up to 10 days prior to the start date if a minimum number of attendees is not met.

Questions? Email us at education[@]agc.org

Meet Your Facilitator:

Stephen Nichols | LEED AP, CM-LeanOwner, A3 Construction Mgt. Services, LLC.

Following his service in the US Navy, Stephen attended Northern Michigan University, where he received his BS in Construction Technology and minor in Business Administration in 1993. Having built successfully in various market segments across the country, Stephen Nichols brings 30+ years of construction experience, combined with his passion for sharing Lean Construction & leadership principles to the AGC Edge. Stephen shares his knowledge in several AGC curricula including Lean Construction (LCEP), Supervisory Training Program (STP), Project Manager Development Program (PMDP), and the Blueprint Reading Workshop he authored.

Stephen owns/operates A3 Construction Mgt, LLC; a consulting firm, assisting project teams with Lean Construction & Project Management.
