Basic Construction Course
Get the hands-on construction knowledge that employers and project owners actually demand. This course covers everything from reading blueprints and selecting materials to managing schedules, controlling costs, and running a safe job site. Whether you're breaking into the industry or sharpening your skills, you'll finish ready to contribute on day one.
What you will learn:
This course walks you through every major discipline in construction, starting with industry regulations, project delivery methods, and key stakeholder roles. You'll learn how to evaluate and specify construction materials, read full drawing sets, and plan earthwork and foundation systems. The curriculum covers structural framing, building envelope assemblies, and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. You'll also develop project management skills including scheduling, procurement, cost estimating, and closeout procedures. Safety and quality control are built into every phase, so you graduate ready to manage real projects from the ground up.
How you study in practice Basic Construction Course
How you practice Basic Construction Course
For companies that want to train their team
With Dedika for Business, the course includes exercises and examples tailored to your own business and the way your company needs.
Course content
8 Chapters • 39 LessonsDuration between 4 and 360 hours (you decide)
Chapter 1HideHide detailsSee detailsIntroduction to the Construction Industry
Introduction to the Construction Industry
Lesson 1 • Construction Industry Regulations
Introduces permitting, zoning, building codes, and occupational safety standards. Establishes compliance awareness as a core professional responsibility.
Lesson 2 • Project Delivery Methods
Explains design-bid-build, design-build, and construction management delivery models. Students can select appropriate delivery methods for given project scenarios.
Lesson 3 • Industry Overview and Project Types
Covers residential, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure project categories. Establishes context for all subsequent technical and managerial content.
Lesson 4 • Key Stakeholders and Project Roles
Identifies owners, designers, contractors, subcontractors, and inspectors. Clarifies how each role contributes to project delivery.
Chapter 2HideHide detailsSee detailsConstruction Materials and Properties
Construction Materials and Properties
Lesson 1 • Insulation, Roofing, and Finishes
Surveys thermal insulation, roofing systems, and interior finish materials. Connects material choices to energy performance and durability.
Lesson 2 • Concrete and Masonry Materials
Covers concrete mix design, curing, and masonry unit types. Connects material properties to structural and finish applications.
Lesson 3 • Structural Steel and Metals
Examines steel grades, shapes, and connection types used in framing. Prepares students to read structural steel specifications.
Lesson 4 • Sustainable and Emerging Materials
Introduces recycled content, low-carbon materials, and bio-based alternatives. Positions sustainability as a material selection criterion.
Lesson 5 • Wood and Engineered Lumber
Reviews dimensional lumber, engineered wood products, and grading standards. Links wood selection to span, load, and moisture conditions.
Chapter 3HideHide detailsSee detailsReading Construction Drawings and Specifications
Reading Construction Drawings and Specifications
Lesson 1 • Specifications and Project Manuals
Explains specification divisions, section format, and submittal requirements. Links written specs to drawing notes and material selections.
Lesson 2 • MEP Drawings and Coordination
Reads mechanical, electrical, and plumbing drawings and identifies coordination conflicts. Prepares students for field coordination tasks.
Lesson 3 • Drawing Set Organization and Conventions
Explains sheet numbering, title blocks, revision clouds, and drawing scales. Establishes the framework for navigating a full construction document set.
Lesson 4 • Structural and Civil Drawings
Interprets foundation plans, framing plans, and grading drawings. Connects structural details to material and load requirements.
Lesson 5 • Architectural Plans and Elevations
Covers floor plans, reflected ceiling plans, exterior elevations, and building sections. Students can locate rooms, openings, and finish information.
Chapter 4HideHide detailsSee detailsSite Work and Foundation Systems
Site Work and Foundation Systems
Lesson 1 • Deep Foundation Systems
Examines driven piles, drilled shafts, and helical piers for poor soil conditions. Connects deep foundation selection to load transfer mechanisms.
Lesson 2 • Shallow Foundation Systems
Covers spread footings, mat foundations, and slab-on-grade construction. Students can identify appropriate shallow foundation types for given conditions.
Lesson 3 • Waterproofing and Drainage Systems
Reviews below-grade waterproofing, drainage boards, and sump systems. Prepares students to specify and inspect foundation moisture protection.
Lesson 4 • Earthwork and Grading Operations
Explains cut-and-fill calculations, equipment selection, and compaction standards. Connects earthwork planning to site drainage and foundation preparation.
Lesson 5 • Site Investigation and Soil Classification
Covers geotechnical reports, soil types, and bearing capacity evaluation. Establishes the soil knowledge needed for foundation and earthwork decisions.
Chapter 5HideHide detailsSee detailsStructural Framing and Building Envelope
Structural Framing and Building Envelope
Lesson 1 • Concrete Frame Construction
Reviews cast-in-place and precast concrete framing, formwork, and reinforcement. Links concrete frame selection to building height and use.
Lesson 2 • Steel Frame Construction
Examines wide-flange columns, beams, and metal deck floor systems. Prepares students to read steel erection sequences and connection details.
Lesson 3 • Exterior Wall and Cladding Systems
Covers masonry veneer, curtain wall, EIFS, and metal panel cladding. Connects cladding selection to weather resistance and aesthetic requirements.
Lesson 4 • Air, Vapor, and Thermal Barriers
Explains air barrier continuity, vapor retarder placement, and continuous insulation. Prepares students to evaluate envelope assemblies for moisture and energy compliance.
Lesson 5 • Wood Frame Construction
Covers platform framing, wall stud layout, floor systems, and roof framing. Connects framing members to load path and lateral resistance.
Chapter 6HideHide detailsSee detailsMechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Systems
Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Systems
Lesson 1 • MEP Coordination and Rough-In
Explains rough-in sequencing, sleeve placement, and above-ceiling coordination. Connects MEP installation order to framing and finishing schedules.
Lesson 2 • Plumbing and Drainage Systems
Reviews supply piping, drain-waste-vent systems, and fixture connections. Prepares students to read plumbing drawings and identify code-driven requirements.
Lesson 3 • HVAC System Fundamentals
Covers heating, cooling, and ventilation equipment types and distribution methods. Establishes HVAC vocabulary needed for coordination and inspection tasks.
Lesson 4 • Electrical Distribution Systems
Explains service entrance, panels, branch circuits, and grounding. Connects electrical system layout to safety and load requirements.
Lesson 5 • Fire Protection Systems
Covers wet-pipe, dry-pipe, and clean-agent suppression systems and alarm components. Links fire protection design to occupancy and hazard classification.
Chapter 7HideHide detailsSee detailsConstruction Project Management Fundamentals
Construction Project Management Fundamentals
Lesson 1 • Project Closeout and Turnover
Explains punch list management, as-built drawings, warranties, and owner training. Prepares students to execute a complete project closeout.
Lesson 2 • Cost Estimating and Budgeting
Explains quantity takeoff, unit cost estimating, and contingency budgeting. Prepares students to produce and manage project cost budgets.
Lesson 3 • Field Documentation and Reporting
Covers daily reports, RFIs, submittals, and change order documentation. Establishes documentation practices that protect project interests.
Lesson 4 • Project Planning and Scheduling
Covers work breakdown structures, CPM scheduling, and baseline schedule development. Connects planning tools to resource allocation and milestone tracking.
Lesson 5 • Procurement and Subcontracting
Reviews bid solicitation, scope of work development, and subcontract award. Links procurement decisions to project schedule and cost outcomes.
Chapter 8HideHide detailsSee detailsConstruction Safety and Quality Management
Construction Safety and Quality Management
Lesson 1 • Electrical and Equipment Safety
Explains lockout/tagout, ground fault protection, and crane and rigging safety. Connects equipment hazards to specific control measures.
Lesson 2 • Testing, Commissioning, and Compliance
Reviews material testing, special inspections, and systems commissioning. Prepares students to coordinate third-party testing and document compliance.
Lesson 3 • Fall Protection and Excavation Safety
Reviews fall protection systems, excavation shoring, and confined space entry. Addresses the highest-frequency fatal hazard categories in construction.
Lesson 4 • Quality Control Plans and Inspections
Covers quality control plan development, inspection hold points, and nonconformance reporting. Links quality systems to contract requirements and rework prevention.
Lesson 5 • Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment
Covers job hazard analysis, hierarchy of controls, and incident investigation. Establishes a proactive safety mindset as the foundation for all field work.
Your valid completion certificate
This course is for you:
Field laborer: ready to move into a supervisory or coordination role.
Career changer: bringing transferable skills from engineering, real estate, or manufacturing.
Small contractor: needing structured knowledge to manage larger and more complex projects.
Architecture student: wanting to understand how designs actually get built in the field.
Property developer: seeking technical fluency to work more effectively with construction teams.
Military veteran: transitioning into civilian construction with strong discipline and leadership instincts.
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