Estimating Electrical Construction
Learn From An Expert How to Estimate Materials and Labor for Residential and Commercial Electrical Construction

By Ed Tyler

Like taking a class in how to estimate materials and labor for residential and commercial electrical construction. The original version was by an A.S.P.E. National Estimator of the Year, using the traditional estimator’s tools – pencil, paper and calculator.

This brand new edition, revised and updated by the senior estimator of a large electrical contracting firm, adds automation to the process. Here, it demonstrates how an electronic measuring device with PC interface (also available from Craftsman), can be used to deliver the materials data into estimating software, which uses an up-to-date database of thousands of materials, labor and equipment costs to arrive in minutes at an error-free and reliable cost estimate.

Teaches how to do a plan take-off, deal with suppliers, modify labor units to suit, and write the bid summary to prepare an accurate estimate, both manually and electronically. Provides access to the software, plus over 60 free construction estimating forms.

Estimating Electrical Construction Revised

Explains how to create a reliable estimate for residential, commercial or light industrial construction - from essential preliminaries to submitting the final bid.

Every aspect of electrical estimating is covered - from plan take-off, to labor units, to material pricing, to assembly of the bid summary. Includes practical examples and sample forms to use on your jobs. Explains the electrical estimating process: types of bids and elements of each, what to look for on the job walk, how to deal with suppliers and use pricing sheets, how to modify labor units, and how to avoid the most common electrical estimating mistakes.
A complete estimate for a commercial building is included, starting with the scope of work, the materials and equipment to use, installation requirements, and a complete set of plans for the electrical system. Worksheets, pricing sheets, the bid summary sheet, telephoned quotations and the spreadsheets are all provided so you can compare your work with what an experienced professional electrical estimator would do. Includes detailed instructions for:

• Selecting projects
• Doing the material takeoff
• Calculating material costs
• Using an electronic measure and PC interface
• Completing an estimate manually
• Using estimating software
• Figuring overhead & profit
• Including all costs
• Using alternates for cost-savings
• Smart bidding
• Pricing for profit
• Dealing with change orders
• Handling backcharges
• Settling claims and disputes Explains click-by-click how to use the
• National Estimator electrical estimating software and the National Electrical Estimator, an annual cost book with a database of thousands of common electrical items, including material costs, manhours, and labor and equipment costs.
• The estimating forms and checklists in this book are included with the FREE trial download of National Electrical Estimator, the estimating program used throughout this book. Load these handy forms (in Excel, Word and PDF format) onto your hard drive. Then use them on all your electrical estimates.

Mark Tyler is the son of Edward Tyler, the electrical estimator who wrote the first edition of this book over 30 years ago. Ed's estimating tools were primarily pencil, paper, and a calculator. Mark teaches the same principles. But his tools are very different: an electronic measuring device with PC interface, estimating software, and a database of thousands of electrical labor, material and equipment costs. Like most electrical estimators, Mark started as an electrician, progressed to estimator, and is now senior estimator/project manager for a large electrical contractor in the northwest.

Table of Contents

1. What Does It Take to Be an Electrical Estimator?, 5
The Design Team, 7
The Construction Team, 8
Key Elements of a Bid, 10
The Estimate, 11

2. Finding Work & Submitting Bids, 13
Choosing the Right Projects, 15
Bid Documents, 17
Types of Bids, 23
Bid Form and Submission, 29

3. First Steps in Estimating, 31
Takeoff Items, 33
Takeoff Tools and Worksheets, 37

4. The Job Walk & Pre-Bid Conference, 45
Site Plans, 45
Job Phases, 46
Site Conditions, 46
Pre-Bid Conference, 50

5. Accurate Material Takeoff, 53
Shortcut Estimating, 53
Detailed Takeoff, 54
The Takeoff Procedure, 57

6. The Material Cost Estimate, 77
Transfer the Takeoff Data, 77
Calculate Each Item's Cost, 78
Material Cost Sources, 81
Accurate or "Best" Pricing, 84

7. Completing Your Estimate Manually (Labor, Equipment & Subcontractor Costs), 93
Labor Costs, 93
Cost of Equipment, 98
Subcontract Costs, 99
Completed Costing Sheets, 99
Factors That Increase Labor Costs, 101
Factors That Decrease Labor Costs, 107
Other Job Variables, 110

8. Takeoff Worksheets with a Computer, 113
The Sample Project, 113
Starting the Takeoff, 119

9. Figuring Costs with the National Electrical Estimator, 145
Estimating with National Estimator, 146

10. Overhead & Profit, 157
Adding Overhead and Profit to Your Estimate, 157
Calculating Overhead, 162
Calculating Your Company's Optimum Profit Percentage, 165

11. Other Costs to Consider, 173
Contingency, 173
Permits and Fees, 177
Bid Bonds, 178
Performance Bonds, 179
Insurance Coverage, 180
Progress Payments, 180
Retention, 181

12. Completing Your Estimates & Bids Manually, 183
Finalizing Your Estimate and Bid, 183
Adding Rates for Additional Costs, 184
Finalizing Your Bid Summary Sheet, 188

13. Completing Your Estimates & Bids Electronically using National Estimator & Job Cost Wizard, 191
Modifying Costs, 191
Printing and Saving Your Estimate, 197
Preparing Your Bid, 198

14. Cost Recording, 203
Why Keep Cost Records?, 204
Essentials of an Effective Cost-Keeping System, 205
Classifying Labor Costs, 208
Using Cost Data, 212

15. Smart Bidding, 215
Adjustment for Risk, 215
Asset Utilization Adjustments, 223
Project Adjustments, 231

16. Pricing Strategies & Selling Your Bid, 235
Market-Based Pricing, 235
Learn About Your Competition, 236
Selling Your Bid, 241
Scheduling, 245

17. Change Orders, 247
Why Changes Are Made, 249
Get It (and Give It) in Writing, 249
Review Meetings, 253
Processing a Change Order, 254
Effects of Change Orders, 256

18. Claims & Disputes, 259
Subcontractor Claims, 259
Preparing a Claim, 260
Backcharges, 262
Project Delays, 264
Estimating Software & Blank Forms Download, 266

Index, 267

272 pages, 8-1/2 x 11, Soft-cover

ISBN: 1572182539
ISBN-13: 9781572182530

Paperback, 270 pages