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K-RABCost Estimating

Building a Cost Estimate from Drawings

From working drawings to a number you can defend in front of a client.

Start chapter 1 freeEnrol in this course
6515065200558+12.450A.P. ATAP+13.350PUNCAK PARAPETTOPI PARAPET BETON PRACETAKMIRING 10% KE ARAH ATAPSTEK Ø10-600 KE DINDINGDINDING PARAPET BETON T.150COR MONOLIT DENGAN PELATSEALANT PU DALAM REGLET 20×20MEMBRAN BAKAR 4MM NAIK 200MMDARI PERMUKAAN FINISH ATAPPLESTER PELINDUNG + KAWAT AYAMFILLET SPESI 50×50 +LAPIS PENGUAT MEMBRANSCREED PELINDUNG T.50, NAT @3MMEMBRAN BAKAR 4MMSCREED MIRING MIN. 1% KE DRAINPELAT ATAP BETON T.120ALUR TETESAN 8×8PLESTER + ACI +CAT EKSTERIORBALOK TEPI 250×500BATA RINGAN T.150ILUSTRASI CONTOHBUKAN UNTUK KONSTRUKSI1K-RABBUILDING A COST ESTIMATE FROM DRAWINGSSKALA 1:10
Level
Beginner
Lessons
27
Time
2h 49m
Rating
4.9
Learners
36.2K
Updated
Oct 2026

After this course

What you'll be able to do yourself.

You learn to break a building into a list of work, take quantities from drawings, apply unit rates and build the summary through to VAT. Everything uses sample prices and sample coefficients so you can trace every number. By the end you know where estimates usually leak and how to close the gaps before the job starts.

  1. 1Build a complete list of work from a drawing set.
  2. 2Find the work hidden in the details, not on the plans.
  3. 3Work out a unit rate from coefficients, labour and materials.
  4. 4Build a summary with overhead, profit and VAT without counting anything twice.
  5. 5Write assumptions and exclusions that protect everyone involved.
  6. 6Handle variations, progress measurement and progress payments.

Good for

  • Drafters and junior architects who are starting to be asked for costs.
  • Site staff who want to understand the numbers behind their work.
  • Small contractors who still price jobs on gut feeling.

Full syllabus

Chapter by chapter, nothing hidden.

27 lessons, 2h 49m in total. Chapter 1 is open to everyone.

Chapter 1Why estimates missFreeOne formula, rough figures against detailed estimates, and why a client's money runs out before the house is done.6 lessons / 37 min
  1. The money runs out before the house is done5 min
  2. Rough figures and detailed estimates5 min
  3. The language of the estimating desk4 min
  4. A tiny estimate for one wall7 min
  5. The client gets a shock at the estimate meeting6 min
  6. Chapter 1 test10 min
Chapter 2From drawings to a list of workBuild a list with no holes, then find the work that only shows up in the details.7 lessons / 45 min
  1. List it the way people build it5 min
  2. Wet areas: one layer, one line6 min
  3. What the plan doesn't show5 min
  4. A bathroom from one section7 min
  5. Wrong on the detail, a hole in the estimate6 min
  6. Waterproofing on the floor only6 min
  7. Chapter 2 test10 min
Chapter 3From quantities to the final priceOpen up a unit rate, then build the summary through to VAT without counting anything twice.7 lessons / 43 min
  1. Opening up a unit rate5 min
  2. One unit rate for a brick wall7 min
  3. Overhead, profit and VAT5 min
  4. From the subtotal to the final price7 min
  5. Change the parapet detail, the estimate moves5 min
  6. Words on the summary sheet4 min
  7. Chapter 3 test10 min
Chapter 4An estimate you can defendWritten assumptions, variations, progress payments and how to give an honest quick figure.7 lessons / 44 min
  1. The assumptions that save you5 min
  2. Variations and progress payments7 min
  3. The estimate meets the contract and the site5 min
  4. Read a 3D detail, pull out the estimate lines6 min
  5. An honest quick figure5 min
  6. Tiles changed with no paperwork6 min
  7. Chapter 4 test10 min

Lesson kinds

  • Concept
  • Glossary
  • Calculate
  • Site case
  • Chapter test
  • Layer Stack
  • Spot the Fault
  • Slide the Parameter
  • Read a model

Get a feel for it

You practise, you don't just watch.

Try it: Slide the ParameterIllustration, not for construction
6515065200558+12.450A.P. ATAP+13.350PUNCAK PARAPETTOPI PARAPET BETON PRACETAKMIRING 10% KE ARAH ATAPSTEK Ø10-600 KE DINDINGDINDING PARAPET BETON T.150COR MONOLIT DENGAN PELATSEALANT PU DALAM REGLET 20×20MEMBRAN BAKAR 4MM NAIK 200MMDARI PERMUKAAN FINISH ATAPPLESTER PELINDUNG + KAWAT AYAMFILLET SPESI 50×50 +LAPIS PENGUAT MEMBRANSCREED PELINDUNG T.50, NAT @3MMEMBRAN BAKAR 4MMSCREED MIRING MIN. 1% KE DRAINPELAT ATAP BETON T.120ALUR TETESAN 8×8PLESTER + ACI +CAT EKSTERIORBALOK TEPI 250×500BATA RINGAN T.150

Slide the value. The drawing follows, just like in the lessons.

The membrane ends above ponding level. A common rule of thumb: at least 150 to 200 mm above the roof finish.

Illustration, not for construction

Your creator

Taught by someone who still does the work.

Your creator

Tiara Maheswari

Senior estimator

A practitioner who teaches from their everyday work.

Courses
3
Learners
58.5K

Other courses

About becoming a creator

Learner reviews

From people who took it.

4.9out of 5

3.5K reviews

  • 590%
  • 47%
  • 32%
  • 21%
  • 10%

  • Fikri Hidayat

    Drafter, 2 years in a studio

    The take-off method is tidy and traceable. Nobody asks where my numbers came from anymore.

  • Putri Ayuningtyas

    Architecture graduate

    I run a small contracting business, and this is the first time I could defend my quote in front of a client.

  • Ardi Nugraha

    Site engineer

    The unit rate chapter was an eye-opener. I now separate labour and materials.

Questions that come up

About this course.

All questions

01

What can I try for free?

All of chapter 1, "Why estimates miss": 6 lessons, about 37 min. No card needed. If it isn't for you, stop there.

02

What should I know before starting?

Nothing in particular. The course starts from what you see on a drawing and on site, and builds from there.

03

Subscribe or buy this course?

Pro is Rp149.000 a month and opens every course, track, exam and certificate. Buying this course is Rp349.000 once and it stays yours. If you plan to take more than two courses, Pro usually comes out cheaper.

04

Do I get a certificate?

Certificates come from track exams, not single courses. This course counts toward Cost Estimating, Cost Estimator. The exam runs 60 minutes and you pass at 75 percent.

05

Can I use these drawings on a project?

No. Every drawing in the course is an illustration for learning, not for construction. Use them to understand the logic, then follow your firm's standard and your engineer's drawings.

Part of

This course counts toward these tracks.

Where next

Courses people often take next.

All courses
  • vol

    Cost Estimating / Intermediate

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    Rating
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    Learners
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  • hsp

    Cost Estimating / Intermediate

    Unit Rates and Unit Price Analysis

    From coefficients and shop prices to a unit rate that makes sense.

    Tiara Maheswari
    Lessons
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    Time
    1h 57m
    Rating
    4.7
    Learners
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  • bgkFlagship

    Reading Working Drawings / Beginner

    Reading Working Drawings from Zero

    Open a drawing set and know where to start.

    Yudha Pranaja
    Lessons
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    Time
    2h 49m
    Rating
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    Learners
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K-RABStart with chapter 1

Building a Cost Estimate from Drawings free.

No card needed. If it suits you, go on with Pro or buy this course.

Start chapter 1 freeSee plans, Rp149.000