“Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds,” or so goes the saying engraved in the front of the US Postal Service Building in New York City. Unforeseen circumstances can affect your job labor costs! Just as snow or rain will not […]
Electrical Estimating: From Start to Finish
Electrical Estimating is a series of articles about "Understanding the Estimating Process." This series assists the estimator in making a formal bid. Articles are written by Linda Candels.
Bidding and Relationships – Why are they so Important?
Bidding and relationships have a lot in common. Sometimes, in the midst of completing an electrical estimate or take-off, you are suddenly faced with a decision of whether or not to bid the job. It happens all the time! You have every intention of bidding the job but then you have doubts based on quality […]
Win the Bid: Key Points
Win the Bid: Key Points for the Bidding Process Win the Bid: You know by now that the estimating process involves much more than the take-off. The process starts before you even look at a set of plans, and the process never really ends. This process involves an almost endless loop of deciding which projects […]
Specification review checklist
When completing a construction specification review, an estimator should follow a systematic approach. The specifications, include information for each CSI division, however, none should be reviewed in isolation. Even though our focus is electrical, also known as CSI Division 26 (and previously Division 16), information related to the electrical specs will be shown in […]
Project Specification Manual
The project specification manual is also known as the specifications. Always review the entire project specification manual! You’ve heard me say this many times before. “The devil is in the details.” The project specification manual, also known simply as “the specs,” contains a lot of details! You will notice as you review Division 26, or […]
Construction addenda and scope of work
Candels uses the acronym “B.A.D.A.S.S” to remember the steps in construction estimating. The “A” represents addenda and the “S” represents scope of work. As you may recall from previous blog posts, we discussed B, bid forms and invitation to bid; A, alternates and allowances; and D, drawings. Having this acronym to refer to will ensure […]
Electrical Estimating Apprenticeship – Profit is not a dirty word! (Day 2)
Day 2 of the electrical estimating apprenticeship focused on three things. First, profit is not a dirty word! Second, relationships are important, and finally always ask for a full set of drawings! Profit doesn’t happen by accident! In terms of profit, it really is the goal of any “for profit” business. Profit doesn’t happen by […]
Specifications and more!
Specifications, scope of work, the walk-through and bonding are important pieces of any project, large or small. Before you uncap a highlighter or open up your counting and take-off software, a thorough review of the specifications is critical to your estimate. Also, the scope of work, invitation to bid, and any other information provided should […]