Estimating Electrical Construction

This is the practical guide to electrical estimating by the man recognized as the "Estimator of the Year." It takes you through every step of making an accurate estimate, from essential preliminaries to submitting the final bid.

Written by an A.S.P.E. National Estimator of the Year, it teaches you how to use labor units, the plan take-off, and the bid summary to make an accurate estimate, how to deal with suppliers, use pricing sheets, and modify labor units.

Explanations start at the beginning: the codes you have to follow and the basics of estimating - labor units, the plan take-off, the bid summary and the necessary forms. Then comes the complete estimating process, starting with the types of bids and elements of each, what to look for on the job walk, how to do a systematic take-off, how to deal with suppliers and use pricing sheets, how to modify labor units and where adjustments are necessary to avoid the most common mistakes electrical estimators make.

A complete estimate for a 6,000 square foot commercial building is included. You start with the scope of work, the materials and equipment to be used, installation requirements, and a complete set of plans for the electrical system. Work sheets, 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. Blank copies of all forms are included so you can make estimating forms for your own use.

Chapters are included on bidding mechanics, how to prepare and deal with submittals, handling change orders and backcharges, and when to use alternates to reduce your bid. This book has both the essential how-to's and the down-to-earth advice needed to avoid costly mistakes.

A section on cost data records explains why your own cost experience is the most reliable cost reference and how to keep these important documents. Other sections on project scheduling, purchasing, preparing a coded labor breakdown, and good information sources complete this total course in how to estimate electrical construction.

THE AUTHOR

ED TYLER, recipient of the 1982 National Estimator of the Year Award from the American Society of Professional Estimators, has served on the Society's board of directors, as chapter president, as chairman of national committees, and as national president.

He is actively engaged in estimating all types and sizes of electrical construction projects from a few hundred dollars to over $4.5 million. He has also taught estimating courses for the National Electrical Contractors Association.

Mr. Tyler entered the electrical construction industry in 1946. After working as a tradesman for several years, he advanced to foreman, general foreman, superintendent, general superintendent and division manager. His range and depth of electrical estimating experience and his contributions toward improving professional standards for electrical estimators qualify him as one of the foremost authorities in the field.

Contents:

1 Electrical Contracting, 5

Rewards, 6

The Design Team, 7

2 Estimating Procedures, 8

Organizing Job Costs, 8

Labor Units, 9

Unit Costs, 9

Electronic Estimating, 10

The Plan Take-off, 11

Indexing the Estimate, 11

The Bid Summary Sheet, 12

Estimator's Forms, 16

3 Bids, 22

Type of Bids, 22

Performance Bonding, 24

4 Job Walk, 25

Site Conditions, 25

Pre-bid Conference, 26

5 Estimating Aids and Tools, 28

Estimating Records, 28

Measuring and Counting, 29

National Electrical Code, 30

Computers, 31

6 Systematic Take-off, 32

Scope of Work, 32

Bid Package, 33

Work Sheet, 34

Pricing Sheet, 34

7 Residential Take-off, 36

Floor Plan, 37

Take-off, 39

Pricing, 43

8 Take-off Format, 47

Establishing a Procedure, 47

Changes, Adjustments & Rechecking, 48

The Take-off Package, 48

9 Pricing Sheets, Supplier Role, 49

Price Book, 49

Supplier, 50

Services, 50

Pricing Sheets, 51

10 Labor Units, 68

Evaluation, 68

Job Site Conditions, 69

Addenda, 71

Non-productive Burdens, 71

Labor Savings, 73

Adjusting Labor Units, 75

Labor Unit Tables, 78

11 Commercial Take-off, 89

Specifications, 89

Electrical Plans, 100

Addendums, 114

Commercial Take-off Procedure, 118

Work Sheets, 120

Pricing and Labor, 131

Quotations, 140

Completing the Estimate, 156

12 Bidding Mechanics, 157

Bid Log, 157

Contractor Award Records, 158

Subcontractor Listing, 164

Scope of Bid, 164

Telephone Bidding, 164

13 Submittals, 167

Preparing Submittals, 167

Submitted Review, 168

Submittal Package, 170

14 Change Orders and Backcharges, 196

Typical Contract Provision, 197

Additions and Deductions, 198

Sample Change Order, 199

Cost Breakdown, 203

Order Process, 211

Claims and Arbitration, 214

Backcharges, 218

Damaged Items and Delays, 219

15 Cost Adjustments, 227

Alternates, 227

Reducing Costs, 228

Re-engineered Estimates, 229

Value Engineering, 231

16 Effects of Overtime, 233

Efficiency and Fatigue, 233

Overtime Records, 235

17 Record Keeping, 236

Job Code, 237

Daily Diary, 239

Bid Schedule, 239

18 Scheduling, 241

Material and Equipment Purchasing, 241

Coded Labor Breakdown, 241

Project Construction Schedule, 245

Progress Payment Schedule, 246

19 Information Sources, 248

Trade Associations, 248

Trade Magazines and Catalogs, 249

Education, 252

Certified Estimator, 253

20 Estimating Forms, 254

Project Selection Checklist, 255

Scope of Work, 256

Work Sheet, 257

Pricing Sheet, 258

Bid Summary, 259

Telephoned Quotations, 260

Spread Sheet, 261

Contractor Award Record, 262

Bidding Scope Form, 263

Job Code Form, 264

Labor Code Breakdown, 265

Progress Payment Form, 266

Purchase Order, 267

Index, 268

Softcover - 272 Pages
8-1/2 x 11 in.