Archives for September 2018

Estimating electrical projects requires speed and accuracy.

Using on-screen take-off software speeds up the process of estimating.

It is time consuming to get the plans printed, spread them out on the plan table, manually make a material list, highlighting each item so you don’t count materials twice, then input the take-off into estimating software.

Using Red Rhino with PlanSwift on-screen take-off software is a much faster way.

 

Overview How to use Red Rhino & PlanSwift:

Step 1:
Download blueprints

Step 2:
Use your mouse to count and measure on-screen

Step 3:
Export take-off to Red Rhino. Red Rhino displays labor and materials in estimate.

Based on my experience and feedback from electrical contractors who use it, you can double your estimating speed or better.

PlanSwift works best using 2 computer monitors.

A big monitor for plans and a second monitor for your estimating program.

I measure and count on-screen using a 32-inch monitor and have Red Rhino open on my laptop.

A 42 or 48-inch monitor would be even better so you can enlarge the plans to see important details.

Using PlanSwift you don’t have to print blueprints for estimating.

Paper blueprints are expensive to print and take up too much storage space. Using Planswift is more convenient and faster than paper.

Like any software, there is a learning curve, but when you become proficient, you’ll bang out your estimates a lot faster than using paper plans.

Red Rhino has hundreds of pre-built assemblies and thousands of products that speed up estimating.

Watch video how fast and easy you can estimate using Red Rhino with PlanSwift.

Benefits in using Red Rhino with PlanSwift:

→ Measure conduit and wirequickly and accurately

→ Count plug, switches and light fixtures with ease

→ Export take-off to Red Rhino Electrical Estimating Software

→ Red Rhino calculates labor and material cost

→Save time. Save $$ – money. Save space.

 

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

 

When estimating Feeder conduit and wire for electrical projects, it is very important to be accurate.

Feeder conduit and wire is extremely expensive therefore, mistakes like coming up short with measurements can be very expensive.

 

For estimating, feeder conduit is conduit sizes 1¼” and larger.

Feeder wire sizes are #4 and larger.

When estimating, it does not matter if feeders are service entrance conduit, panels, large AC units or machines, the estimating process is the same.

A fastest way to estimate conduit is with Red Rhino conduit Wizard.

After measuring conduit runs, a process called take-off, you input conduit into the Conduit Wizard.

Watch video below to see how to take-off conduit including feeders.

Video highlights time saving method of feeder take-off:

• How to use a Scalex to quickly measure conduit on blueprints.
• How to keep organized by using Red Rhino Feeder Schedule forms.

Methods to measure conduit & wire so you don’t come up short:

• Take-off conduit at right angles so you do not come up short.
• How to “over-roll” to allow for conduit risers (Conduit going up or down).
• Add for wire make-up length.

After measuring conduit feeders, you input feeders to Red Rhino using Conduit Wizard in 20 seconds or less!

 

EMT conduit feeders

Click Video below to see quick video how to estimate EMT conduit feeders using Red Rhino Conduit Wizard

 

Multiple PVC conduit feeders

Click Video below how to estimate PVC conduit feeders using Red Rhino Conduit Wizard

Red Rhino Conduit Wizard includes most types of conduit including:

• PVC – SCHEDULE 40 & 80
• PVC – EB (ENCASED BURIAL) Thin wall PVC
• PVC – DB (DIRECT BURIAL) Thin wall PVC
• EMT
• RIGID METAL CONDUIT (GRC)
• PVC COATED RIGID (ROB ROY)
• MC CABLE & HOSPITAL GRADE MC CABLE
• STEEL FLEX / ALUMINUM FLEX
• SEAL-TITE
• IMC (Intermediate Conduit)
• Type C (Telephone Conduit)

 

Remember to include miscellaneous items like locknuts, bushings, Myers Hubs and other fittings needed for feeder conduit.

Red Rhino product catalog has conduit fittings listed below.

• Locknuts
• Plastic bushings
• Ground bushings
• Myers Hubs
• Erickson Fittings
• Reducing washers
• Reducing bushings
• Plastic terminal adapters

Condit Wizard is just one of several tools Red Rhino includes to speed up  estimating so you can bid jobs faster and more accurately.

 

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Try Red Rhino Electrical Estimating Software free for 30 days.
Many customers report they double their estimating speed or better.

Red Rhino Electrical Estimating Software offers a 30 day free trial.

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

 

Call us if you have questions.

866-444-7411 X 1