Construction Basics Course
Get the hands-on construction knowledge you need to work confidently on any site. This course covers everything from reading blueprints and pouring concrete to framing walls and coordinating MEP systems. Whether you're just starting out or filling gaps in your site experience, this is the foundation that gets you job-ready.
What you'll learn:
You'll learn how the construction industry is organised, who does what on a project, and how to read the drawings and specs that drive every decision on site. You'll cover materials like concrete, steel, and timber, then move into site preparation, foundations, and structural framing. MEP rough-in, quality control, and site safety are all included. You'll also get exposure to estimating, scheduling, contracts, and digital tools used on modern sites. By the end, you'll have a complete picture of how a construction project comes together from the ground up.
How you study in practice Construction Basics Course
How you practise Construction Basics Course
For businesses looking to train their team
With Dedika for businesses, the course includes exercises and examples tailored to your own business and the way your company needs.
Course content
8 Chapters • 32 LessonsDuration between 4 and 360 hours (you decide)
Chapter 1HideHide detailsSee detailsIntroduction to the Construction Industry
Introduction to the Construction Industry
Lesson 1 • Overview of Construction Project Types
Residential, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure projects are distinguished by scope and delivery method. Sets the context for all subsequent technical content.
Lesson 2 • Key Stakeholders and Project Roles
Identifies owners, designers, contractors, subcontractors, and inspectors and explains how they interact. Establishes the professional relationships students will navigate on site.
Lesson 3 • Construction Industry Regulations and Standards
Introduces building codes, zoning requirements, and occupational safety standards as regulatory frameworks. Students understand compliance obligations before entering the field.
Lesson 4 • Project Delivery Methods
Covers design-bid-build, design-build, and construction management delivery models. Students can match delivery method to project context.
Chapter 2HideHide detailsSee detailsConstruction Materials and Their Properties
Construction Materials and Their Properties
Lesson 1 • Insulation, Waterproofing, and Finishes
Reviews thermal insulation types, waterproofing membranes, and interior and exterior finish materials. Connects material selection to building performance outcomes.
Lesson 2 • Structural Steel and Metal Products
Covers steel grades, shapes, and connection types used in framing and support structures. Students can identify steel members and understand their load paths.
Lesson 3 • Wood and Engineered Lumber
Addresses lumber grading, moisture content, and engineered wood products such as LVL and OSB. Prepares students for wood-frame construction covered in later chapters.
Lesson 4 • Concrete and Masonry Fundamentals
Explains concrete mix design, curing, and masonry unit types and their load-bearing behaviour. Directly supports later chapters on foundations and structural systems.
Chapter 3HideHide detailsSee detailsReading Construction Drawings and Specifications
Reading Construction Drawings and Specifications
Lesson 1 • Scales, Symbols, and Abbreviations
Teaches graphic scales, standard symbols, and common abbreviations used across all drawing disciplines. Accurate measurement and symbol recognition underpin all field work.
Lesson 2 • Project Specifications and Submittals
Introduces specification divisions, product data requirements, and the submittal review process. Students understand how specs govern material and workmanship standards.
Lesson 3 • Drawing Set Organisation and Sheet Types
Explains how a full drawing set is organised by discipline and sheet numbering conventions. Students navigate any drawing set efficiently after this section.
Lesson 4 • Dimensions, Details, and Callouts
Covers how to read dimensioned plans, interpret detail drawings, and follow callout references. Students can locate and apply specific construction details from drawings.
Chapter 4HideHide detailsSee detailsSite Preparation and Earthwork
Site Preparation and Earthwork
Lesson 1 • Excavation and Trenching Safety
Teaches soil classification, trench protection systems, and excavation safety requirements. Students can identify hazardous conditions and apply protective measures.
Lesson 2 • Clearing, Grubbing, and Demolition
Addresses vegetation removal, stump grubbing, and selective demolition procedures and waste disposal. Establishes a clean, safe work area for subsequent earthwork.
Lesson 3 • Grading, Compaction, and Drainage
Covers cut-and-fill grading, compaction equipment, and surface drainage design to achieve stable subgrade. Proper compaction directly affects foundation performance.
Lesson 4 • Site Survey and Layout Basics
Covers benchmark elevations, property lines, and batter board layout for transferring drawing dimensions to the ground. Accurate layout prevents costly errors in later phases.
Chapter 5HideHide detailsSee detailsFoundations and Concrete Work
Foundations and Concrete Work
Lesson 1 • Foundation Types and Selection
Compares spread footings, mat foundations, pile systems, and grade beams based on soil bearing capacity. Students match foundation type to site and load conditions.
Lesson 2 • Concrete Placement, Finishing, and Curing
Teaches ordering, placing, consolidating, finishing, and curing concrete to achieve design strength. Students can manage a concrete pour from delivery to final cure.
Lesson 3 • Formwork Design and Installation
Covers wood, metal, and engineered formwork systems, including bracing and form pressure calculations. Proper formwork prevents blowouts and ensures dimensional accuracy.
Lesson 4 • Reinforcement Placement and Inspection
Addresses rebar sizing, spacing, cover requirements, and tie wire techniques for reinforced concrete. Correct placement is verified before concrete is poured.
Chapter 6HideHide detailsSee detailsStructural Framing Systems
Structural Framing Systems
Lesson 1 • Masonry Wall Construction
Covers CMU wall layout, coursing, reinforcement grouting, and control joint placement for structural masonry. Connects masonry materials knowledge to field construction practice.
Lesson 2 • Wood-Frame Wall and Floor Systems
Covers platform and balloon framing, stud layout, floor joist systems, and subfloor installation. Builds directly on lumber knowledge from the materials chapter.
Lesson 3 • Roof Framing and Sheathing
Addresses rafter layout, ridge boards, roof trusses, and structural sheathing for gable and hip roofs. Students can frame a complete roof structure.
Lesson 4 • Steel Structural Framing Basics
Introduces wide-flange columns and beams, base plates, and moment and shear connections for low-rise steel frames. Students can read steel framing plans and identify members.
Chapter 7HideHide detailsSee detailsMechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Rough-In
Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Rough-In
Lesson 1 • Electrical Rough-In Essentials
Addresses conduit routing, wire sizing, panel location, and grounding requirements for rough electrical work. Students can verify electrical rough-in before insulation and drywall.
Lesson 2 • MEP Coordination and Clash Resolution
Teaches how to read combined MEP coordination drawings and resolve spatial conflicts before installation. Students can participate in coordination meetings and mark up drawings.
Lesson 3 • HVAC Ductwork and Equipment Rough-In
Covers duct sizing, layout, equipment curb placement, and refrigerant line rough-in for HVAC systems. Proper rough-in prevents costly rework during finish phases.
Lesson 4 • Plumbing Rough-In Fundamentals
Covers drain-waste-vent layout, supply pipe sizing, and pressure testing before walls are closed. Students understand plumbing sequence and inspection hold points.
Chapter 8HideHide detailsSee detailsConstruction Quality, Safety, and Project Closeout
Construction Quality, Safety, and Project Closeout
Lesson 1 • Punch List and Substantial Completion
Teaches how to conduct punch list walks, document deficiencies, and achieve substantial completion certification. Students understand the owner's acceptance process.
Lesson 2 • Quality Control Plans and Inspections
Addresses developing inspection and test plans, hold points, and nonconformance reporting for construction work. Students can create and execute a basic quality control plan.
Lesson 3 • Project Closeout and Record Documents
Covers as-built drawing preparation, warranty documentation, operations manuals, and final lien releases. Complete closeout protects all parties and enables future maintenance.
Lesson 4 • Jobsite Safety Management
Covers hazard identification, personal protective equipment, fall protection, and safety plan development. Safety management is a legal and ethical obligation on every project.
Your valid completion certificate
This course is for you:
Career changer: looking to break into construction from an unrelated industry or background.
Recent graduate: building practical knowledge to complement an architecture or engineering degree.
Homeowner: wanting to understand what contractors are doing during a major renovation project.
Administrative professional: supporting a construction firm but lacking technical site knowledge.
Tradesperson: preparing to move from hands-on work into a supervisory or coordination role.
Real estate developer: needing a working understanding of construction phases and project delivery.
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