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Archives for February 2021

Electrical Estimating Installation Times (How to Estimate Electrical Demolition 2021)

February 23, 2021 By John Kelsey

In this blog “Electrical estimating installation times, how to estimate Electrical Demolition, you will learn how Red Rhino Electrical Estimating Software can help you save time in estimating demolition.

If you have ever struggled trying to estimate electrical demolition, there are a couple of methods that will help you save time and be more accurate.

The term ‘Demo’ in construction means to demolish, remove or take down something. In electrical, demo might mean removing anything from devices like plugs or switches, to panels, circuit breakers, transformers, disconnect switches or disconnecting machine connections, or even lighting fixtures, ceiling fans, junction boxes, feeder or branch conduit and wire, or MC cable.

This writing explains how to estimate demo for commercial and light industrial electrical projects.

There are 2 methods. A simple way and a complex way.

Watch this video to see how fast you can estimate demo using Red Rhino Electrical Estimating Software

Both methods require that you look over the blueprints to understand what needs to be removed.

First, I will explain the simple way to estimate demo. The simple way is used if there is not much demo to be performed.

If there are blue prints you look them over and quantify what must be removed. If there are no blue prints I recommend making a quick sketch of what needs to be removed. That way you have on paper some idea of what needs to be done.

Using the simple method you just figure out how many hours you think it would take to do the demo.

Example 1: How to Estimate Small Demo jobs

From viewing the blueprints, you determine that 18 – 2 X 4 LED light fixtures and the conduit feeding the lights must be removed.

In that case you just calculate how many hours you think it will take to remove those materials.

Say for example there would be 2 men removing the light fixtures. You determine it would take 2 men 4 hours to do the demo. The total number of hours would be 8 hours. (This is for example only your estimate could vary greatly)

How to estimate Remove and Replace. (R & R)

Sometimes you may be required to remove and replace items like light fixtures.

I call this R & R for remove and replace. R & R means there are 2 separate components. Labor to do the demo plus labor and materials to reinstall the fixtures plus conduit, wire and junction boxes and any materials needed to do the reinstall.

Example 2: How to Estimate Demo(Remove) and Replace(R & R)

From viewing the blueprints, you determine that 18 – 2 X 4 LED light fixtures and the conduit feeding the lights must be removed but also must be reinstalled in a different location.

Again, you would determine how long it would take to demo the materials and input the labor in Red Rhino for the demo.

After that, you would simply input the materials needed for the replacement part of the process. In other words you just input the materials you normally would to capture the labor and material cost to re-install the materials.

How to Estimate Large Demo jobs

When estimating jobs that require a lot of demolition, the process is a lot more complex. But using Red Rhino helps speed up the process by using the following method.

Spoiler Alert! When estimating demo there is no material cost because you are only removing materials not adding them. That means you will input materials and change the material price to Zero ($0.00)

Another Spoiler Alert! It takes about ½ the time to demo materials as it does to install them. What this means is you will input materials and change the labor to about ½ of the labor shown.

Let me explain further…

When estimating large demo jobs first I recommend you create a separate section. Call the section Demo. If there are several floors of demo it may require having multiple Demo sections.

You may decide to create sections called ‘Demo first floor’ or ‘Demo second floor’.

When estimating big demo job’s you:

  • Make a material list of items to be removed.
  • Input the materials into Red Rhino.
  • Change the price of materials to ‘0’ Zero (because no materials are needed)
  • Next change the labor hours to ½ of what the hours are shown.
  • Close counts when cutting the labor in half. In other words, it is okay to be close or approximate to 1/2 of the labor shown.

Other considerations: 

It is also important to understand how demo materials or debris are to be disposed of.

  • Are debris to be put in a dumpster on the property or are you required to take it to the dump?
  • Who pays for the dumpster(s)?
  • How far away is the dumpster located?

Should you add additional labor hours for hauling debris down an elevator and out into the middle of a parking lot where the dumpster is located?

Will you need gondolas or carts to move materials to the dumpster? These things may take more time that you would add to the demo section.

Red Rhino is online so you can log on from any computer with an internet connection. The Cost of Red Rhino is $99.00/ Month with an affordable setup fee.

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

Red Rhino Electrical Estimating Sofware | 30 Day Free Trial

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.

888-492-5565 x 1

Filed Under: Electrical Estimating Software Tagged With: Electrical Estimating Software, Estimating

When Estimating Electrical – Use a Process (It Saves You Time and Gives You Consistency)

February 18, 2021 By John Kelsey

When estimating electrical – Do things in a certain order to get consistent results and save time.

Doing things in a certain order means having a defined process.

In this blog, I discuss the process to use when estimating electrical. 

                                 

Getting started.

  1. Read the bid invitation, determine if you are going to bid the job or not. Verify the correct bid date.
  2. Obtain a full set of electronic plans and specifications if possible BUT only have “E” Electrical Plans printed. This will save you money.

(Suggestion – set up an account with a reprographics printing company so you can get plans printed cheap. DO NOT get plans printed at a copy store as they are stupidly expensive.

Make notes on type of construction, square footage, heights of buildings, also floor to floor dimensions, and ceilings ECT.

A bid form contains information relevant to a job, including the date and time the bid is due, the scope of work, and the name and contact information of the person the bid is to be sent to. 

   Initially, check the bid form to determine the base bid scope of work and any alternate bids or price breakouts required. 

    In addition, read specifications and make notes. Look at all specifications to determine any additional work required by electrical in mechanical, plumbing, or communications.

Many times you are required to perform work that is not listed or shown on the “Electrical” sheets, and you would not know this without looking at the other plans and specifications.

   Always do take-off in the same order. This will create a consistent routine and will maximize efficiency.

When estimating electrical, take-off the items that you need to get quoted first.

                                                

Suggestion: Take-off items in the order shown below 

  1. Lighting control panels, occupancy sensors, dimmers, and other lighting control.
  2. Switchgear, panels, transformers, motor control centers
  3. Generators, transfer switches, fuel tanks, UPS systems, PDU systems, etc.
  4. Light and power outlets, HVAC and plumbing connections, misc. connections.
  5. Site utility conduits, pull boxes, manholes, trenching.
  6. Building feeders.
  7. Branch circuit for lighting, power, and site lighting
  8. Fire alarm, and security systems
  9. Anything else not listed above.
      You will need price quotes for items like light fixtures, switchboards, and panels.  Email your suppliers a list of items to quote.  This will allow your suppliers to prepare their quote, while you are working on the estimate. As opposed to waiting till the last minute to request a quote from them. 

    Finally, make sure the supplier gets all the information pertinent to their scope of work. This will prevent misunderstandings about what they are to include or exclude from their quote.

Conclusion: Taking off items in the order shown above, is a process that will save you a lot of time.

Red Rhino is online so you can log on from any computer with an internet connection. The Cost of Red Rhino is $99.00/ Month with an affordable setup fee.

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

Red Rhino Electrical Estimating Sofware | 30 Day Free Trial

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.

888-492-5565 x 1

Filed Under: Electrical Estimating Software

Is Electrical Estimating Hard? Not When You Have a System (Be Like McDonalds and Use Systems)

February 16, 2021 By John Kelsey

Is electrical estimating hard? Not when you have a system be like McDonalds and use systems.

Systems Rule. Just look at Mcdonald’s!

                                    

Although Mcdonald’s may not serve the best burger but anywhere you go, they all taste the same. That’s because McDonald’s has a defined system for how all their food is prepared.

That way any 16-year old pimply faced kid, or any other person for that matter, can step in and cook burgers and they all come out the same. Everyone does it the same way and they always deliver the same results.
Do the same thing with electrical estimating. Set up a defined system for electrical estimating so everyone does it the same. That way everyone is on the same page and does it the same way.
Also, if you hire an estimator, train them to do it your way. 

Here are things to consider when setting up a system:

For take-off, use a tally counter to count light fixture, outlets, and other items.

  • First, hold the tally counter in one hand and a highlighter in the other.
    Then, highlight – click – highlight – click. Rinse and repeat.
    This method of counting is fast and accurate.
    And if you are interrupted by a phone call or other distraction, simply pause momentarily and resume when ready.
  • Now, have a defined color code for material take-off. Obtain a set of highlighters with many different colors.
  • Next, highlight each conduit after you measure it, so you do not take off items twice.

   Example of color code:
• Green for PVC
• Blue for MC cable
• Orange for EMT
• Pink for GRC
• Yellow for flex
• Purple for seal-tite

Suggested color code for devices:

When you do a material take-off, color each device as you count it with a highlighter.

Highlight each device as you count it so that you keep track of what has been counted and what has not.

Suggested Color code for device take-off:

  • Green for duplex receptacles
  • Blue for quads
  • Orange for single pole switches
  • Pink for 2 switches
  • Red for 3 switches
  • Purple for 3-way switches

Highlight each fixture as you count it, so that you keep track of what has been counted and what has not.

Suggested Color code for lighting fixtures:


• Green for 2 X 4
•  Blue for 2 X 4 Emergency lights
•  Orange for down lights
•  Pink for downlight Emergency lights
•  Red for outdoor lighting
•  Purple for other lighting

  • Use pre-populated forms for material take-off. Red Rhino Software has time saving take-off forms you can print out or use on your computer for panels and circuit breakers, transformers, direct job expense, feeder schedule, fire alarm and generators.
  • Do material take-off in the same order every time. Start with materials that need to be quoted like lighting fixtures, panels, switch gear and circuit breakers or equipment like generators and transfer switches.
  • Use a bid check-list that details each task who is to read plan specifications.
 

Red Rhino is online so you can log on from any computer with an internet connection. The Cost of Red Rhino is $99.00/ Month with an affordable setup fee.

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

Red Rhino Electrical Estimating Sofware | 30 Day Free Trial

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.

888-492-5565 x 1

Filed Under: Electrical Estimating Software

Electrical Estimating Strategy – (Double Your Estimating Speed)

February 10, 2021 By John Kelsey

Electrical Estimating Strategy. In construction, you are always working yourself out of a job! If you are an electrical contractor and you are not using electrical estimating software you must be living in the wrong century because:

Electrical Estimating Software

  • Saves you a ton of time.
  • Makes your estimates more accurate.
  • Pricing is more consistent.
  • Makes estimating electrical projects more fun! Ha ha.

OK not really fun, but it does make it a whole lot easier than using a pen and paper or spreadsheets.

And as promised here is a strategy to help make more money.

STRATEGY #1 –

Electrical Estimating Strategy to “Wire” Your Business for MORE Profit Raise Your Prices.

YEP! The fastest and easiest and simplest way to make more money is to raise your prices.When I tell people to raise their prices I get the questioned, “how could I raise my prices in this economy”, or “how much should I be charging”?


And, the answer to that question depends on a lot of factors and unfortunately I cannot answer it. I can tell you this. Most contractors who are just starting out charge way less than their competitors, believing they will get more work. While I understand your motive if you do that but, it is a big mistake because when starting you need money for new tools and trucks and expansion.

Electrical Estimating Strategy. Charging bottom dollar is a race to the bottom! Don’t do it!

  • You will then likely end up working for another contractor if you keep offering low prices.

Electrical Estimating Strategy. Tips on how to make more money:

  • Increase your hourly rate.
  • Then, add a truck and tool charge for every job.
  • Next, keep existing customers at the same price for a few months and increase your rates for new customers.
  • Also, specialize and increase your price for your specialty.
  • Lastly, increase your mark-up for materials.

Then, call around and find out what your competitors rates are. You should be charging slightly below top market price. Raising your prices is the fastest way to improve your business right now. Making even a small increase to your price can add up to thousands of dollars additional profit every year.

Example: Adding $50 dollar truck and tool charge for service calls or small jobs you estimate. Do this 50 times per year (average 4 per month) you add another $2,500.00 income to your volume in just one year.

Now, think of ways you can make several small price increases, and you could add thousands or tens of thousands of dollars to your bottom line!

For more electrical estimating tips visit: http://www.learn-electrical-estimating.com/

If you would like to double your estimating speed.

Sign up for 30 day trial

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.

Red Rhino Electrical Estimating Sofware | 30 Day Free Trial

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.

888-492-5565 x 1

 

 

Filed Under: Electrical Estimating Software Tagged With: Electrical Estimating Software, Estimating, Red Rhino, Software

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News from the Blog

Electrical Estimating Installation Times (How to Estimate Electrical Demolition 2021)

When Estimating Electrical – Use a Process (It Saves You Time and Gives You Consistency)

Is Electrical Estimating Hard? Not When You Have a System (Be Like McDonalds and Use Systems)

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Hard Hat Industry Solutions, Inc.
P.O. Box 16309
Irvine, CA 92623
Phone number:
714-809-4446
Office Hours:
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM PT (Monday - Friday)

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