SMA Consulting’s Purchasing & Estimating Certification Program

This intensive training solution consists of 3-4 online prerequisite training sessions on estimating fundamentals totally 8 hours of instruction. These classes will be offered twice (Semester 1 & 2) for your live attending convenience. Plus, we will be recording each session for future viewing. 

These will be followed by an online session on the fundamentals of the Closed Loop Purchase Order system totaling another 2 hours of instruction. This will also be offered live twice per the schedule below and recorded for additional convenience. 

The schedule for these online sessions for this first round of what will become regular P&E training. 

Online Classes & Testing

Semester 1:   

Introduction & Requirements (Pre-Recorded)  

Available September 23

1. Required Reading - Foreword
2. Intro Quiz

Estimating 101 – Foundations & Framing  

October 3, 2024, from 1:00pm – 2:30pm

Estimating 102 – Roofing, Mechanicals, Sheetrock  

October 10, 2024, from 1:00pm – 2:30pm

1. Read Sections 1-3 in book.

Week of October 14,2024

1. Required Reading Quiz 1

Estimating 103 – Siding, Masonry & Finishes  

October 14, 2024 from 1:00pm – 2:30pm

1. Required Reading Assignment 3

Week of October 21, 2024

1. Takeoff Quiz 1
2. Read sections 4-6 in book.

Estimating 104 – Mechanicals & Sheetrock  

October 24, 2024 from 1:00pm – 2:30pm

1. Required Reading Assignment 3

Week of October 28, 2024

1. Reading Quiz 2

Estimating 105 – Hardware & Finishes  

October 31, 2024 from 1:00pm – 2:30pm

The Closed Loop PO System  

November 7, 2024 from 1:00pm – 2:30pm

Week of November 11, 2024

1. Read Sections 7-9 in book.

Estimating 201 – Advanced Estimating - Stick Framed Roofing (Optional)  

November 14, 2024 from 1:00pm – 2:30pm

Week of November 21, 2024

1. Reading Quiz 3

Estimating 202 - Advanced Estimating - Excel Formulas  

November 14, 2024 from 1:00pm – 2:30pm

Week of December 2, 2024

1. Takeoff Quiz 3

Semester 1 students can retake any class from above in Semester 2 per schedule below. 

Semester 2:   

Schedule

Introduction & Requirements (Pre-Recorded)  

Available January 27, 2025

1. Required Reading - Foreword
2. Intro Quiz

Estimating 101 – Foundations   

February 6 , 2025, from 1:00pm – 2:30pm

Estimating 102 – Lumber  

February 13 , 2025, from 1:00pm – 2:30pm

1. Read Sections 1-3 in book.

Week of February 17, 2025

1. Required Reading Quiz 1

Estimating 103 – Roofing & Exteriors  

February 20 , 2025, from 1:00pm – 2:30pm

Week of February 24, 2025

1. Takeoff Quiz 1
2. Read sections 4-6 in book.

Estimating 104 – Mechanicals & Sheetrock  

February 27 , 2025, from 1:00pm – 2:30pm

Week of March 3, 2025

1. Reading Quiz 2

Estimating 105 – Hardware & Finishes  

March 6, 2025, from 1:00pm – 2:30pm

The Closed Loop PO System  

March 13, 2025, from 1:00pm – 2:30pm

Week of March 17, 2025

1. Read Sections 7-9 in book.

Estimating 201 – Advanced Estimating - Stick Framed Roofing (Optional)  

March 20, 2025, from 1:00pm – 2:30pm

Week of March 24, 2025

1. Reading Quiz 3

Estimating 202 - Advanced Estimating - Excel Formulas  

March 27, 2025, from 1:00pm – 2:30pm

Week of April 7, 2025

1. Takeoff Quiz 3

Required Reading

Foreword: I See What You’re Thinking

One: Mastering the Secrets of Nonverbal Communication

Two: Living our Limbic Legacy

Three: Getting a Leg Up on Body Language: Nonverbals of the Feet and Legs

Four: Torso Tips: Nonverbals of the Torso, Hips, Chest, and Shoulders

Five: Knowledge Within Reach: Nonverbals of the Arms

Six: Getting a Grip: Nonverbals of the Hands and Fingers

Seven: The Mind’s Canvas: Nonverbals of the Face

Eight: Detecting Deception: Proceed with Caution!

Nine: Some Final Thoughts

Live Class to Complete Course for both Semesters, Orlando, FL

2 Day In-Person Conference:  May 13-14, 2025     - Orlando, FL

1. 4 Pillars of Purchasing
2. Preconstruction/Sale to Start Schedule
3. EPO Review Process
4. EPO Review Exercise
5. Scopes of Work & Trade Partner Agreements
6. In Person Takeoff
7. Negotiation
8. In-Person Review Quiz

Finally, the exam will be available for timed online completion between the dates of May 19 - May 31, 2025.

Final Exam: A passing grade of 80% and above results in certification by SMA as a Certified Residential Homebuilder Purchasing and Estimating professional. Grades below 70% will be welcomed back into the next class.

Online Exam – timed for 2 hours 

Tuition Investment: The $2,490 tuition for the first team member from each participating company ($1,490 for second and beyond from same company – registering at the same time) pays for all classes, including online and live in Orlando, the exam fees and breakfast during each of the two days of training in Orlando. Travel to Orlando and sleeping room accommodations are NOT included. Invoicing will be sent upon registration to the email suggested during the registration process.