26 - Electrical
Electrical bid estimating, without the grind.
The electrical estimate isn't a $/SF number — it's the gear count, the raceway and conductor lengths, the lighting-controls energy-code scope, and the equipment-connection demarcation that decides the number. Drop in your package and get back a cited first-pass: devices and fixtures by schedule, feeders and gear from the one-line, the arc-flash and controls scope flags, and the RFIs that keep you from under-scoping the code-mandated controls.
✓ PE-reviewable✓ Cited to source✓ Your electrical workflow
✓
REVIEWED
REVIEWED
Temporary power (if in scope)measure LF (by size + type: EMT, RMC, PVC)— cite
Service + distribution — gear, panels, transformers, feedersmeasure EA— cite
Branch rough-in — conduit + wiremeasure LF (by size + type: EMT, RMC, PVC)— cite
Devices — receptacles, switches, data/comm roughmeasure EA— cite
Lighting — fixtures + lamps + controlsmeasure EA (by type per the fixture schedule)— cite
7
governing codes
11
line-item groups
7
units of measure
6
risk flags
What it surfaces for electrical
Priced for the way electrical is actually bid.
The engine reads your package and flags exactly what bites electrical estimators — before it costs you.
Governing codes named: NFPA 70 (NEC — the governing install standard), NFPA 70E (arc-flash/safety), NECA 1 (workmanship), IEEE (power/grounding/1584 arc-flash), UL (listing), IECC/ASHRAE 90.1 (energy-code lighting controls), local AHJ amendments.
Line-item groups your bid breaks into: temporary power; service+distribution (gear/panels/transformers/feeders); branch rough-in (conduit+wire); devices; lighting+lamps+controls; lighting controls/energy-code compliance; grounding+bonding; fire alarm; life-safety/emergency power+egress; equipment connections; testing/commissioning/arc-flash.
The electrical risks ranked: lighting controls under-scoped (energy-code compliance routinely missed); gear/switchgear lead time + volatility; utility coordination/service; equipment-connection scope gap (who furnishes disconnects); fault-current/arc-flash study assumed in or out; fixture substitution/availability.
The RFIs drafted (verbatim): "Is the arc-flash / short-circuit / coordination study (IEEE 1584) in our scope?" "Lighting controls scope: what level of ASHRAE 90.1 / IECC compliance (occupancy, daylight harvesting, receptacle control)?" "Fire alarm and low-voltage/data — in our scope or separate contractors, and where's the demarcation?"
The trade's anatomy
Everything electrical needs, structured.
Line-item groups
Temporary power (if in scope)Service + distribution — gear, panels, transformers, feedersBranch rough-in — conduit + wireDevices — receptacles, switches, data/comm roughLighting — fixtures + lamps + controlsLighting controls / energy-code compliance (occupancy, daylight, panels)Grounding + bondingFire alarm (if in scope — often a separate low-voltage line)Life-safety / emergency power + egress lightingEquipment connections (mechanical, kitchen, owner equip)Testing / commissioning / arc-flash study
Governing codes
NFPA 70 (NEC) · National Electrical Code — the governing install standardNFPA 70E · electrical safety in the workplace (arc-flash/work practices)NECA 1 · standard for good workmanship in electrical constructionIEEE · power system / grounding references (e.g. 142, 1584 arc-flash)UL · listing of equipment, fixtures, and assembliesIECC / ASHRAE 90.1 · energy code — lighting power density + controlsLocal AHJ amendments · jurisdictional NEC amendments (often govern)
Units of measure
conduit / raceway → LF (by size + type: EMT, RMC, PVC)conductors / wire → LF (by AWG + insulation)devices (receptacles, switches, data) → EAlighting fixtures → EA (by type per the fixture schedule)gear (panels, switchboards, transformers, disconnects) → EAfeeders → LF (by size) + terminations EAcable tray / bus duct → LF
The risks that usually bite
Lighting controls under-scopeGear + switchgear lead timeUtility coordination + serviceEquipment connection scope gapFault-current / arc-flash studyFixture substitution / availability
“"Electrical is assembly-driven; I price from the fixtures and devices, not a screen."”
The analysis starts from exactly that assembly basis — device/fixture counts, measured raceway and conductor, gear from the one-line — and adds the screen you can't price from a count: the energy-code controls scope, the arc-flash study line, the equipment-connection demarcation, and the gear lead time. It flags the three things that most often turn a won electrical job into a back-charge, before you've bid. Cited to NEC/IEEE/90.1; hands to the electrical PE for review.
Run this on your own electrical package.
30 minutes. Bring a real set — a service upgrade, a warehouse with strict lighting controls, or a mixed-use build — and watch the cited line items, the code-compliance flags, and the gear lead-time risks on your actual drawings.