| The key to any successful electrical estimate, is | | | | should be as detailed as possible to act as a "memory |
| organization and preparation! You need to develop a | | | | jog" and will ensure that you don't leave out a |
| system for how you do your take-offs, and how you | | | | potentially costly part of the scope of work that you |
| tabulate your information. Before doing anything else, | | | | will later find yourself responsible for completing out of |
| read the plans and specifications cover to cover. As | | | | pocket! This is where a commercial electrical |
| you read, note items of particular impact to the | | | | estimating program can be invaluable. The entire |
| electrical scope on a separate sheet, and hi-light the | | | | program acts as your "cheat sheet". While pricey, the |
| corresponding passage right on the specification | | | | best ones will save you enough time to recover the |
| documents. I usually note specific requirements, | | | | purchase cost very quickly. For links to our top picks, |
| especially oddball ones directly on the corresponding | | | | see our web site below. |
| plan sheet(s) as well, before I even start counting | | | | The take-off should be done phase by phase, |
| anything! Missing a restrictive note in the specifications | | | | following the layout of your estimate "cheat sheet" |
| can be disastrous. | | | | closely. A key trick I use is to hang all the plan sheets |
| The next step is to develop a "Cheat Sheet" to ensure | | | | containing schedules, riser diagrams, installation notes, |
| that you don't miss any items or phases that should be | | | | etc. on the wall in front of my estimating table. This can |
| included. For most any type of estimate this can be as | | | | take up a lot of room, but I highly recommend it, as |
| simple as a full or partial list of CSI codes. List the | | | | many times the plan sheets will reference each other |
| phases that apply to your specific situation, or develop | | | | or overlap, and you must be able to visualize the |
| a master list, and then drill down from there. Treat it | | | | cross-connections quickly and clearly. If you don't have |
| kind of like a report outline similar to the ones you | | | | the luxury of that much space, consider making copies |
| probably did in High School. For example: | | | | of key sections of the documents at your local copy |
| | | | center. |
| 1. General Conditions a) Temporary Electrical Power i | | | | Once again, a commercial electrical estimating program |
| Temp Service & Panel w/ conduit & wiring, | | | | is worth it's weight in gold for your take-offs. |
| breakers ii Temp Outlets w/ conduit & wiring, | | | | Alternatively, you can use a spreadsheet, but you |
| devices b)Temporary Lighting c) Site Trailer | | | | need to have the work experience and project track |
| 2. Site Work a) Excavation & Fill i Equipment | | | | records to allow you to build one. Several examples |
| Rental ii Trucking Service b) Underground Conduit i | | | | are posted on our website to give you an idea of |
| Transformer to CT Cabinet c) Concrete Encasement | | | | what you need. If you are interested in learning more |
| You get the idea. There is NO SUCH THING as too | | | | about electrical estimating, go to our site and sign up |
| much detail- remember that. The goal is to itemize all | | | | for the full series on electrical estimating. |
| the expected costs accurately. The cheat sheet | | | | |