Common Estimating Practices

A contractor lost money both on material and labour, as they did not consult the common forms and spreadsheets for conducting electrical estimating work. A project occurred a year ago, when a 500,000 ft2 warehouse out in Eastern Canada was being constructed, and the contractor made very “rough” measurements using a tape measure, for an 800A electrical distribution service. He rushed, he did not write the numbers down, and totaled the numbers up in metres instead of feet on his “reminders” app on his smartphone. Remember you’re a professional, please drop the smartphone, and make sure you utilize a laptop or tablet device for performing and recording measurements for your installations. The contractor was thinking in feet, but wrote the calculation down in metres. This is not the correct process or sequence of operations whatsoever. When the contractor got back to the truck, the individual drafted the installation on a Tim Horton’s napkin. You cannot do this type of business at these costs on a napkin!

When people deal with complex costs involved with installations such as this, they must always consult the 5 common forms, spreadsheets, and schedules for performing electrical estimates. This is to ensure that you know specifically what quantities and materials, to quote and purchase for the installation for the specified project. Accuracy, accuracy, and more accuracy. If you have 1000’ of leftover wire from the project, not only is that a 1000’ in wasted material, but also in the labour of handling, delivering, and storing of the material back in your shop.

Whether you work on a job site or in your company’s office, all individuals involved with the construction process, must be aware of these extremely paramount concepts of estimating. Otherwise, money will be wasted and time will be lost on your next construction project.

For additional information on how to interpret and understand the forms and schedules related to electrical estimating, please remember to check out Orderline’s Continuing Education webinar: “Electrical Estimating Level 1”.

Shane Rosenberg is the creator of the estimating & blueprint reading webinar series hosted by Orderline. He has been a professional estimator in the construction industry for more than 10 years. Shane holds an electrical estimating certificate, an associate membership with the Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (CIQS), as well as a Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree. He has worked on a variety of different projects ranging from small renovations to larger installations of upwards of $5,000,000. Working closely with contractors to grow and expand their businesses is his passion.