Electrical Estimating Software – Conduit wizard helps double your estimating speed
First I would just like to say that:
The meanest, toughest, most brain frying, head scratching, difficult, challenging and biggest time-suck is estimating BRANCH CIRCUIT CONDUIT.
It’s the mother of all mothers.
Okay, now that I got that off my chest, really, I just want you to know that it takes focus and time to estimate branch circuit conduit.
You have to take a few minutes beforehand and study the blueprints. You must know where the electrical panels are so you can measure home runs to the panels.
Overview of branch conduit take-off.
To estimate electrical projects you look over the blueprints and make an exact material list of the materials that
need to be installed so you can input them into Red Rhino Software. Red Rhino magically displays either material prices AND labor or displays labor only for each item entered. The process of making a material list is called material take-off.
Material take-off can be done either manually by reading paper blueprints, or by using OST (On Screen Take-Off) software.
Conduit take-off could be broken down into two (2) main categories.
- Branch conduit
- Feeder conduit.
Branch conduit and wire
- Feeds circuits like plugs, lighting, & small appliances, etc.
- Has the most number of circuits on most jobs.
- Wire sizes between #14 gauge wire and #6 gauge.
- Conduit smaller than 1 inch can be run in larger conduit.
- Usually shown on blueprints as a line with hash-marks showing how many wires
- Homeruns are usually shown on blueprints with a small arrow, circuit numbers and panel
Conduit wizard can help you double your estimating speed
Red Rhino Electrical Estimating Software Training video “Using the Conduit Wizard”
Video shows how to input 4” (inch) PVC feeder conduit,
2” (inch) EMT feeder conduit, 3/4” (inch) EMT branch circuit conduit, and 12/2 MC Cable.
Training video “How to take-off conduit” (Manual method)
Red Rhino Electrical Estimating Software offers a 30 day free trial.
Just click the link below 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.
888-492-5565 X 1
