When becoming an electrical estimator, you must know how to perform electrical estimates. Without the knowledge of estimating electrical work, you can never become a professional in this job. For starters and those who don’t know the basics of electrical estimations, the article is for you. In this guide, we’ve written an ultimate article on how you can estimate electrical work in brief.
What is an Electrical Estimator?
Before going into detail regarding electrical estimation, it’s essential to know what electrical estimation is and why it’s used. Electrical estimators are individuals who specialize in the field of electrical engineering. They perform various tasks and responsibilities depending on the type of job they hold. Electrical estimators estimate the cost of electrical work, such as installing new electrical wiring and fixtures, if they are going to be doing the work. They can also advise on how much money a client should budget for various projects. They are required to provide technical advice and guidance, as well as project management and management services to clients.
The job of electrical estimator can be very lucrative if you have experience with this type of work, but it can also be challenging if you don’t know what you’re doing or have little experience in this field. The overall main duty of an electrical estimator is to give you an estimate of the total electrical work that a contractor or individual would need to spend on the project.
Below we’ve created a graph on electrical estimator for your easy understanding:
| Responsibilities | Reviewing project requirements and specifications. |
| Analyzing blueprints, drawings, and electrical layouts. | |
| Identifying materials and equipment necessary for the project. | |
| Estimating the quantity and cost of materials required. | |
| Assessing labor requirements and determining the associated costs. | |
| Considering factors such as permits, codes, and regulations. | |
| Collaborating with project managers, contractors, and clients to clarify project details. | |
| Creating detailed cost estimates and proposals. | |
| Skills and Knowledge | Strong understanding of electrical systems, components, and equipment. |
| Proficiency in reading and interpreting blueprints, drawings, and electrical diagrams. | |
| Knowledge of electrical codes, regulations, and safety standards. | |
| Familiarity with estimating software and tools used for cost calculations. | |
| Excellent mathematical and analytical skills. | |
| Attention to detail and accuracy in calculations. | |
| Effective communication skills to interact with clients, contractors, and project stakeholders. |
How electrical estimation work is performed?
An electrical estimator is an electrical engineer who assesses the cost and time required to complete various projects. These estimators make sure that they have the right equipment, materials, and workers available to complete their projects promptly. They are also responsible for making sure that all the codes and regulations are followed during the project.
Most companies use some form of a drawing or schematic for each room in the house. The drawing or schematic will show all of the electrical components that are present in that particular room or area, as well as where they should be placed within the room.
Once you have gotten a good understanding of what is involved with building your new home, you can use this information to get estimates from several different contractors and businesses.
Source: Wikipedia
Steps To Perform Electrical Estimation?
Here’s a brief guide on how you can do electrical estimation. However, note that this blog is just for starters and we’ll only tell rough and brief things without going in depth.
Type of the Project
The game begins with a review of the project details. In most cases, you will be bidding on the projects, around 90% of the time.
There are multiple kinds of electrical estimation projects e.g:
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Power Estimation
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Wire Sizing Estimation
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Cost Estimation
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Energy Consumption Estimation
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Fault Current Estimation
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Voltage Drop Estimation
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Short Circuit Current Estimation
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Cable Tray Sizing Estimation
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Earthing System Estimation
It’s not always possible you know all the types of estimations in estimating electrical work. You might do 1,2,3 or even 4, but there’s no chance that you’re a rounder in the starting career. Therefore, you should make sure that the project on which you’re bidding, you can do that.
On the other hand, bidding on the project, and then canceling it, affects your reputation negatively. So make sure that you always review the project. The client might or might not add the type. It always depends on the bidder to recognize what type of the project is and if they can do the work or not.
Review the Requirements
Now, every client has their requirements. The requirement section will always be dynamic and random as per the clients. Some just want the price estimation, some want to compare the precision with other estimates or some just want a personal estimate for their house, building, shop, or apartment.
Therefore, make sure to review the requirements carefully before accepting the bid or bidding on the bid. The more carefully you place the bid, the better it’ll be for your business and less chances of cancellation will occur. During the review of requirements, make sure that the requirements meet your criteria and that you know that work.
According to a report, the most common causes of cancellation are:
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Unexpected costs
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Lack of manpower
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Poor work environment
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Unreasonable timeline
However, if you perform a quick review of the requirements, you might not face these things and so fewer cancellation rates.
Perform a Takeoff
Now, you’ve got the bid and the client has handed over the project to you. The next thing you need to do is to perform the takeoff of the file. For that, you can use any paid or free software such as Revit or Oracle. These software offer take-off capabilities that any contractor can use for taking off of any electrical work.
The reason why we prefer to take off first is because of the ease of use in estimating electrical work. The takeoff allows you to check the materials list and tells you how you can do further work with a flow. Overall, it eases your work.
Do the Estimation
The final chapter of the estimation is to do the estimation. The estimation can be of anything. It can be of material, price, or anything that you can expect. Overall it can be the estimation of anything that the client wants. However, just make sure that you perform a takeoff before doing the estimation. It’ll help you in the estimation process.
If the estimation is of pricing, then you can use any software that supports estimation processes like Oracle and Revit. However, the majority of companies use Revit, it’s easy, fast, and widely accepted format software.
Labor Cost
In the estimation process, it is to calculate your direct labor cost. You do this by estimating how many hours it would take to build a product if you used each material that you have available and if you could get all of the labor for free.
The next step is to calculate your indirect labor cost. This calculation includes all of the costs associated with producing, packaging, transporting, and selling goods that are made by other companies or individuals.
If you’re not sure how long it will take for your products to be ready for sale, then you can use some simple maths to calculate an average number of hours per employee per day for each product type based on experience with similar projects.
Other things required to do in the labor cost section are:
Source: Lavu
What are the types of electrical estimation projects?
Electrical estimation projects can vary depending on the scope and nature of the work. Some common types include power estimation, wire sizing estimation, cost estimation, energy consumption estimation, fault current estimation, voltage drop estimation, short circuit current estimation, cable tray sizing estimation, and earthing system estimation.
How can I become an electrical estimator?
To become an electrical estimator, you typically need a background in electrical engineering or a related field. It’s important to gain experience in the electrical industry to understand the various aspects of electrical work. Additionally, you can pursue specialized courses or certifications in industrial estimating to enhance your skills and knowledge in this specific area.
What tools or software can be used for electrical estimation?
There are several software options available for electrical estimation, such as Revit, Oracle, and other estimating software specifically designed for electrical contractors. These tools can assist with performing takeoffs, generating material lists, and calculating costs more efficiently.
How accurate are electrical estimates?
The accuracy of electrical estimates can vary depending on the level of detail and the estimator’s experience. Estimators aim to provide as accurate estimates as possible based on the available information and their expertise. However, unforeseen circumstances, changes in project requirements, or other factors can affect the final cost.
How do electrical estimators account for changes in project scope?
Changes in project scope can be accommodated through change orders. When there are modifications or additions to the original project plan, the estimator will revise the estimate accordingly. This may involve adjusting material quantities, labor hours, and costs to reflect the changes accurately.
Can I rely solely on software for electrical estimation?
While software can greatly assist with electrical estimation, it is essential to have a solid understanding of electrical systems, materials, and labor requirements. Estimators should use the software as a tool to streamline the process and improve accuracy, but they should also rely on their expertise and industry knowledge to validate the results.
What factors can impact the cost of electrical estimates?
Several factors can influence the cost of electrical estimates. These include the project size and complexity, the availability and cost of materials, labor rates, equipment requirements, and any specific regulations or codes that need to be followed. Changes in market conditions and regional factors can also affect cost estimates.
How can I improve the accuracy of my electrical estimates?
To improve the accuracy of electrical estimates, it is crucial to gather detailed project information, review drawings and specifications carefully, and consult with experts if needed. Regularly updating your knowledge of industry standards and staying informed about material and labor costs can also contribute to more accurate estimates. Additionally, learning from past projects and continuously refining your estimating techniques can help improve accuracy over time.
