With four successful electrical estimating training sessions under their belts, Linda and Marc Candels are ready to kick off 2019 with their fifth Electrical Estimating Training and Apprenticeship which starts on January 29. The Candels Electrical Training Academy teaches the art and science of electrical estimating. The four-month session covers a wide range of topics as […]
Electrical Training Academy: Classes and Resources
Electrical Training Academy is a primary educational resource offering estimating classes as well as other resources to train an estimator.
New Electrical Estimating Apprenticeship starts January 29, 2019
New Dates! Candels Electrical Estimating Academy is happy to announce our fall/winter dates for the very popular Electrical Estimating Apprenticeship program! We are now accepting registrations for the January 29th, 2019 through May 30th, 2019 class. Live and interactive! Join us on Tuesday and Thursday, from 1 to 3 pm, via live webinar to learn […]
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 – Day 3 is B.A.D.A.S.S.
The electrical estimating apprenticeship Day 3 started with a review of take-off components which we call B.A.D.A.S.S. Be a B.A.D.A.S.S. Years ago, we developed this acronym for our new estimators to remember all the components of bidding documents. B – Invitation to Bid and Bid Forms A – Allowances and Alternates D – Drawings A […]
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 […]
Electrical Estimating Apprenticeship – Thoughts from Day 1!
Day 1 of the Electrical Estimating Apprenticeship program was yesterday. We started with the basics. Like anything, a good foundation lays the groundwork for the future. What is the electrical estimator’s role? An estimator needs to understand their role in the estimating process. It seems intuitive, but is it? The estimator’s role is to determine […]