Table of Contents

1. What Does It Take to Be an Electrical Estimator?, 5
The Design Team, 7
The Construction Team, 8
Key Elements of a Bid, 10
The Estimate, 11

2. Finding Work & Submitting Bids, 13
Choosing the Right Projects, 15
Bid Documents, 17
Types of Bids, 23
Bid Form and Submission, 29

3. First Steps in Estimating, 31
Takeoff Items, 33
Takeoff Tools and Worksheets, 37

4. The Job Walk & Pre-Bid Conference, 45
Site Plans, 45
Job Phases, 46
Site Conditions, 46
Pre-Bid Conference, 50

5. Accurate Material Takeoff, 53
Shortcut Estimating, 53
Detailed Takeoff, 54
The Takeoff Procedure, 57

6. The Material Cost Estimate, 77
Transfer the Takeoff Data, 77
Calculate Each Item's Cost, 78
Material Cost Sources, 81
Accurate or "Best" Pricing, 84

7. Completing Your Estimate Manually (Labor, Equipment & Subcontractor Costs), 93
Labor Costs, 93
Cost of Equipment, 98
Subcontract Costs, 99
Completed Costing Sheets, 99
Factors That Increase Labor Costs, 101
Factors That Decrease Labor Costs, 107
Other Job Variables, 110

8. Takeoff Worksheets with a Computer, 113
The Sample Project, 113
Starting the Takeoff, 119

9. Figuring Costs with the National Electrical Estimator, 145
Estimating with National Estimator, 146

10. Overhead & Profit, 157
Adding Overhead and Profit to Your Estimate, 157
Calculating Overhead, 162
Calculating Your Company's Optimum Profit Percentage, 165

11. Other Costs to Consider, 173
Contingency, 173
Permits and Fees, 177
Bid Bonds, 178
Performance Bonds, 179
Insurance Coverage, 180
Progress Payments, 180
Retention, 181

12. Completing Your Estimates & Bids Manually, 183
Finalizing Your Estimate and Bid, 183
Adding Rates for Additional Costs, 184
Finalizing Your Bid Summary Sheet, 188

13. Completing Your Estimates & Bids Electronically using National Estimator & Job Cost Wizard, 191
Modifying Costs, 191
Printing and Saving Your Estimate, 197
Preparing Your Bid, 198

14. Cost Recording, 203
Why Keep Cost Records?, 204
Essentials of an Effective Cost-Keeping System, 205
Classifying Labor Costs, 208
Using Cost Data, 212

15. Smart Bidding, 215
Adjustment for Risk, 215
Asset Utilization Adjustments, 223
Project Adjustments, 231

16. Pricing Strategies & Selling Your Bid, 235
Market-Based Pricing, 235
Learn About Your Competition, 236
Selling Your Bid, 241
Scheduling, 245

17. Change Orders, 247
Why Changes Are Made, 249
Get It (and Give It) in Writing, 249
Review Meetings, 253
Processing a Change Order, 254
Effects of Change Orders, 256

18. Claims & Disputes, 259
Subcontractor Claims, 259
Preparing a Claim, 260
Backcharges, 262
Project Delays, 264
Estimating Software & Blank Forms Download, 266

Index, 267