Archives for February 2019

Take off light fixtures and lamps – Set your take-off sheet with the fixtures type, descriptions, number and type of lamps and accessories. Make a note at the top of the columns on the take-off sheet where you found the fixtures. ( i.e.: 1st floor, 2nd floor, room # etc. ) Count fixtures using a Tally counter. Make sure you highlight the fixtures as you count them. Write the quantity down on your take-off sheet under fixture type. Try to count all of one type at a time ( i.e.: Count all type “A” fixture, all type “B” fixtures, etc.)

If a fixture is not clear or labeled, look in adjacent room or area and see if it is logical that it is the same type.

If it is not clear what type they are then circle the item with a question mark and send an RFI or use other means to determine what it is.

DO NOT LEAVE IT OUT! List it down with a description as an unknown. Plug a price for this if you cannot determine what it is.

This information may be essential when it comes down to entering light fixture details in Red Rhino Estimating Software.

 

 

CHECK YOUR WORK – After you have counted and written down all light fixtures, make another visual pass over the drawings to find any fixtures you may have overlooked.

Look for additional lighting accessories or support needed and list them. ( i.e. strut supports, other structural supports, seismic wires, pendant, hooks, etc )

Look closely for emergency batteries or dimming ballasts that are required but not shown on the fixture schedule. They may be required by the notes on the plan.

Also, look for fixtures shown on the floor plans controlled by a dimmer switch or a scene controller.

Tips – Look for exit lights, they are the most likely to be missed.

 

 

 

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Red Rhino Electrical Estimating Sofware | 30 Day Free Trial

Just click this link to sign up for Red Rhino.
You will immediately get access to our online software.
Training videos will guide you step by step to learn how to navigate.

Click this link to sign up for PlanSwift.
The first 14 days of using the Red Rhino / PlanSwift Connector is FREE so you can test drive it. After the first 14 days the cost is just $20 / month.

Call us if you have questions.

866-444-7411 X 1

 

Material take off can be tedious work that takes a great deal of focus and concentration. Here are some

Tools that speed up the material take off process.

Use Scale Master or Scalex for measuring conduit distances on blueprints.

A Scale Master makes conduit take off fast!

 

Use Tally Counter to count light fixtures and devices.

A tally counter makes counting light fixtures and devices fast!

 

Highlighters

Use a highlighter when counting or measuring so you do not count things twice. Example: Use different color highlighters for different light fixture types. Using highlighters ensures you do not count or measure items twice.

Environment

Have good lighting, and a comfortable chair. Turn off the phone if you can. Material take-off takes concentration and it takes time. There are a lot of details you must be aware of. The better the environment you estimate in, the more you can concentrate and stay focused.

Review the Plans

Before you start estimating, you want to get a feel for the job or get your mind around the job. Look at the plans. Look at the details. Look at the electrical blueprints and the mechanical pages that require electrical.

On large job’s it may take 2 to 3 hours to review plans. On smaller job’s it may take ½ hour or an hour to review the plans.

When you review the plans before you start it gives you a more clear understanding of the scope of the job.

Read all Notes & Specifications

There are a lot of details you need to know about before you start estimating. The specifications (specs) might require that you use compression fittings for EMT conduit. It is important you know that so you can estimate accurately. Take time to read the notes and specs. Sometimes you might make your own notes on the blueprints or on a note pad.

Prepare Blueprints

When estimating using paper blueprints, there are things you can do to help be more accurate. Example: Note where there are fire walls or concrete walls are. If conduit runs must penetrate fire walls the estimate requires that you include fire caulking. If conduit must penetrate concrete walls the estimate requires that you include core drilling. Highlight fire walls and concrete walls on the Electrical sheets of the blueprints so you don’t miss details required to estimate the job.

Watch video below of John Kelsey

Price Breakouts

Often times when estimating electrical projects the jobs calls for price breakouts or alternate pricing. It is necessary to make separate material lists for price breakouts and input materials into Red Rhino separately. Red Rhino will show separate pricing when set up properly in separate sections. Knowing about price breakouts allows Dotting Your I’s and Crossing Your T’s means to check your work very closely and make changes as needed. Check your work for accuracy.

Details (On plans)

Look at the electrical details on drawings like equipment schedules. Details show different cuts showing necessary information about mounting or electrical hook ups required. Look over the electrical details so you can bid jobs accurately.

Forms

Use take off forms to speed up the estimating process. Red Rhino Electrical Estimating Software offers a number of take off forms you can use.

Take Breaks!   

Electrical estimating can be tedious and time-consuming. It requires focus and concentration. When you take breaks from estimating you recharge your batteries and come back refreshed.

 

 

 

Click here for a Red Rhino free trial    Click here for PlanSwift 14-day free trial

Red Rhino Electrical Estimating Sofware | 30 Day Free Trial

Just click this link to sign up for Red Rhino.
You will immediately get access to our online software.
Training videos will guide you step by step to learn how to navigate.

Click this link to sign up for PlanSwift.
The first 14 days of using the Red Rhino / PlanSwift Connector is FREE so you can test drive it. After the first 14 days the cost is just $20 / month.

Call us if you have questions.

866-444-7411 X 1