Electrical estimating & takeoff services
Electrical takeoffs from plans, one-line diagrams and schedules: gear by the each, feeders by size and length, branch circuits, devices, fixtures and low-voltage rough-in all counted separately.
How we estimate electrical
Electrical estimating is a count-and-measure discipline. Devices, fixtures, boxes and gear are counted by the each from the plans and schedules; feeders and branch circuits are measured by size and length from the plans and one-line, with conduit and wire carried separately so material can be priced against current copper cost.
Home-run lengths, panel schedules, lighting fixture schedules and the one-line diagram are reconciled against each other so the feeder count matches the breaker count and the fixture count matches the circuiting. Low-voltage rough-in is included where the electrical contractor typically carries it.
- Drawings used
- E-100 lighting plans, E-200 power plans, E-500 one-line & panel schedules, E-600 fixture schedule, Spec 26 05 00 / 26 24 00 / 26 27 00 / 26 51 00
- Reported in
- EA · LF · LS
- Format
- Editable Excel workbook, division tab with sheet references; PDF summary; written exclusions and assumptions.
- Turnaround
- Confirmed after we review the set and the project date.
Excluded by default
- Utility company fees and primary service
- Telecommunications cabling and termination (Division 27) unless included
- Fire alarm system design and programming
- Owner-furnished equipment beyond connection
- Site lighting foundations and trenching (coordinate Div 31/33)
- Temporary lighting beyond stated allowance
Line items in an electrical takeoff
Every group below is a separate section of the workbook. Units shown are the units the estimate reports in.
Service & distribution
EA- Service entrance by amperage and voltageEA
- Switchboards and distribution panelsEA
- Panelboards by type and circuit countEA
- Transformers by kVAEA
- Motor control centers and startersEA
- Generator, ATS and paralleling gearEA
Feeders
LF- Conduit by size and type: EMT, RMC, PVCLF
- Conductors by size and count, copper or aluminumLF / CLF
- Ground conductorsLF
- Pull boxes and junction boxesEA
- Busway by amperageLF
- Underground duct bank and manholesLF / EA
Branch circuits
LF · EA- Branch conduit by sizeLF
- Branch wire by gaugeLF / CLF
- MC cable where permittedLF
- Home runs by length bandEA
- Boxes, covers and fittingsEA
- Wire management and supportsallowance
Devices
EA- Receptacles by type: standard, GFCI, isolated groundEA
- Switches, dimmers and occupancy sensorsEA
- Special outlets and disconnectsEA
- Floor boxes and poke-throughsEA
- Equipment connections by amperageEA
- Device plates by finishEA
Lighting
EA- Fixtures by type from scheduleEA
- Emergency and exit fixturesEA
- Lighting controls: panels, relays, sensorsEA
- Exterior and site lighting with poles and basesEA
- Dimming and daylight harvestingEA / ZONE
- Lamps, drivers and sparesallowance
Systems & misc.
EA · LF · LS- Fire alarm devices and rough-inEA
- Data, voice and AV rough-inEA / LF
- Security and access control rough-inEA
- Grounding and bonding electrode systemLS
- Lightning protection where shownLS
- Temporary power and testingLS
A electrical takeoff, as delivered
| Description | Qty | Unit | Sheet | Material | Labor | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 400A 208Y/120V service, CT cabinet, MDP | 1 | LS | E-501 | 28,000 | 9,600 | 37,600 |
| Feeders, 4#3 to 4#500 kcmil, EMT/PVC | 1,120 | LF | E-501 | 22,400 | 16,800 | 39,200 |
| Panelboards LP-1/2/3, 75 kVA xfmr | 4 | EA | E-502 | 18,400 | 6,400 | 24,800 |
| Branch circuits, 3/4" EMT + #12 THHN | 9,600 | LF | E-201 | 19,200 | 43,200 | 62,400 |
| Devices: recept., switches, sensors, 214 EA | 214 | EA | E-201 | 6,420 | 12,840 | 19,260 |
| Lighting: 2x4 LED troffers, EM, exit, 148 EA | 148 | EA | E-601 | 37,000 | 17,760 | 54,760 |
| Division 26 subtotal | 131,420 | 106,600 | 238,020 | |||
Specific to this trade
How do you estimate home-run lengths?
From the panel location on the plans to each circuit's first device, measured along the likely conduit route, grouped into length bands. The method is stated so it can be checked against your own routing.
Are lighting fixtures priced or by others?
Priced from the fixture schedule when a basis of design is listed. When the schedule is a performance spec or the fixture package is owner-furnished, we carry installation only and say so.
Do you reconcile the one-line with the panel schedules?
Yes. Feeder count must match breaker count and panel schedules must match device circuiting. Mismatches in the drawings are flagged as assumptions rather than silently resolved.
Electrical bid due soon?
Send the relevant sheets and we'll come back with a price and a date.