Read Your Blueprints

Here is another situation where an electrical contractor out in Western Canada lost a big sum of money on a ten-floor office tenant fit-up project of a prestigious legal firm. They mixed up the 2-hr fire rated floor boxes with the ceiling mounted double duplex receptacles on their quotation. There was approx. (200) fire rated floor boxes that were missed by the contractor. This error created a great discrepancy in the cost of the estimate, which caused the contractor to successfully win the project by being much lower than their competitors.

Later in the construction phase of the project, these pricey and fancy floor boxes were never ordered and caused a major delay in the final completion date of the project. No change orders were ever issued to this contractor for their miscalculation. Not only did the contractor suffer a loss in the material of these floor boxes, but also in the labour and the more extensive rough-in materials required for this type of installation such as bigger conduit sizes, etc. This was the last job this contractor was ever hired for with this client and consulting team. They were never invited to bids on their projects ever again and were removed from the client’s “approved contractor’s list”.

Always remember, to “read your blueprints” for any project you are working with. All members of your construction team need to study and analyze the blueprints and read every single piece of information provided. As we all say in the trades measure twice, cut once. Double-check, triple-check, and quadruple-check. This process will ensure that no information is missed on behalf of the contractor. Missed information can lead to lots of money lost to your company, firm, or organization, which prevents a company from being able to grow and expand.

Construction professionals, please check out “Electrical Blueprint Reading” hosted by Orderline for tips and steps on how to tackle and battle working with blueprints and drawings efficiently and effectively. How about we try to make some larger profits on your next project!

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.