The Estimator’s Toolkit: Best Practices for Predictable Success

Learn to think differently about the estimating process. This course addresses the challenge of creating predictable outcomes by teaching estimators to manage the entire project workflow from start to finish. Estimators will delve into the SMACNA Reference Manual for Labor Units as a source of labor unit data (national average number of man-hours) to fabricate and install heating, ventilation, and air conditioning materials and equipment under normal conditions on normal projects. But estimators must use their best judgment to determine whether particular jobs involve factors that affect normal productivity and must quantify the impact. You will learn best practices to identify conditions and factors that impact project difficulty and tools and procedures to adjust man-hour estimates accordingly. Additionally, you will learn to leverage AI for routine functions, allowing you to prioritize higher-level responsibilities such as bid reviews, quality control, and value engineering.

HOTEL INFORMATION:

Le Méridien Essex Chicago
800 S Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60605

PRICING:

Member (early): $1,750
Member (standard): $1,925
Associate member: $2,025
Non-member: $4,050

EVENT DETAILS

EVENT TYPE: Educational Program

Schedule at a Glance

September 1, 2026

7:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Breakfast

8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

Program Opening

8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Section 1: Should We Bid This Work?

10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

BREAK

10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

AI Applications: Should We Bid This Work?

11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Section 1 Wrap + RMLU Preview

11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

LUNCH

12:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Section 2: RMLU (The Reference Manual for Labor Units)

1:30 p.m. – 1:55 p.m.

AI Conditions Scoring Demo

1:55 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

General Conditions and Labor Rate Analysis

2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

BREAK

2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

Traps and Snares: What Is Hiding in the Bid Package

3:45 p.m. – 4:10 p.m.

Section 2 Wrap + Bridge to Day 2

4:10 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Day 1 Recap

4:30 p.m.

Adjourn Day 1

September 2, 2026

7:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Breakfast

8:00 a.m. – 8:55 a.m.

Section 3: Change Orders (The Profit You Are Leaving Behind)

8:55 a.m. – 9:40 a.m.

AI Hands-On Lab

9:40 a.m. – 9:55 a.m.

BREAK

9:55 a.m. – 11:10 a.m.

Section 3: 47 Steps to a Profitable Job (The Turnover Meeting)

11:10 a.m. – 11:20 a.m.

Program Close

11:20 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Closing Story

11:30 a.m.

Adjourn

7:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Breakfast

8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

Program Opening

8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Section 1: Should We Bid This Work?

10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

BREAK

10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

AI Applications: Should We Bid This Work?

11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Section 1 Wrap + RMLU Preview

11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

LUNCH

12:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Section 2: RMLU (The Reference Manual for Labor Units)

1:30 p.m. – 1:55 p.m.

AI Conditions Scoring Demo

1:55 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

General Conditions and Labor Rate Analysis

2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

BREAK

2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

Traps and Snares: What Is Hiding in the Bid Package

3:45 p.m. – 4:10 p.m.

Section 2 Wrap + Bridge to Day 2

4:10 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Day 1 Recap

4:30 p.m.

Adjourn Day 1

7:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Breakfast

8:00 a.m. – 8:55 a.m.

Section 3: Change Orders (The Profit You Are Leaving Behind)

8:55 a.m. – 9:40 a.m.

AI Hands-On Lab

9:40 a.m. – 9:55 a.m.

BREAK

9:55 a.m. – 11:10 a.m.

Section 3: 47 Steps to a Profitable Job (The Turnover Meeting)

11:10 a.m. – 11:20 a.m.

Program Close

11:20 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Closing Story

11:30 a.m.

Adjourn

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