Electrical estimating outsourcing is a crucial part of any electrical project, whether it be a small residential job or a large-scale industrial project. Accurate electrical estimates are essential for the success of the project, as they provide the basis for budgeting, scheduling, and resource allocation. Electrical estimating involves calculating the cost of labor, materials, and equipment required for the project.
It involves the process of estimating the costs of electrical installations for new construction or renovation projects. The accuracy of electrical estimating is important to ensure that the project stays within budget and to avoid any unforeseen costs that may arise during the project.
Estimating cost is a critical first step in the life of any electrical project. But calling it tricky would be an understatement. There are so many variables involved the task can feel Herculean.
Complicating things, even more, there are so many different electrical estimating outsourcing techniques you can use. How do you choose? Is one better than another?
We’ll help you answer these questions and sort through this often-fraught process in this rundown of five of the most common electrical estimating techniques. Read on to see which one might work for you.
5 Electrical Estimating Techniques: Choose Wisely
All of these electrical estimating outsourcing methods have advantages, but not all of them are equally important. While speed may be a crucial factor in certain situations, it is not always the top priority, especially when striving to produce high-quality work.
In the following sections, we will examine each of these five techniques in detail and determine the most appropriate situations in which to employ them. Let’s delve deeper.
Per-Point Method:
The per-point method involves assigning a common dollar value to each fixture in a project, such as lights, fans, switches, and sensors. It requires a thorough assessment of every fixture to calculate the total number of points. However, it is crucial to choose an appropriate dollar amount to avoid underestimating or overestimating the project cost.
For instance, if you have 80 fixtures in your project and assign a value of $100 per point, your estimated cost would be $8,000. While the per-point method is straightforward and offers valuable analytical insight, it may not consider the specific requirements of a project, leading to cost overruns and delays.
Labor Unit Method:
The labor unit method provides a value based on the amount of human labor needed for hardware installation and repair, rather than assigning a value to the hardware itself. This approach can offer a more precise representation of the workload required for a specific project. However, there is still a risk of inaccuracies if the estimate fails to consider challenging working conditions.
Guesstimating:
While not typically the recommended approach because it’s the game of experts, guesstimation can be a viable option for experts skilled in making accurate judgments with limited information. It’s always best to rely on more reliable estimation methods first, but if you have significant experience in similar projects and trust in your team’s abilities, guesstimation can be a practical way to expedite the estimation process and move forward with the project.
Methods For Electrical Estimating Outsourcing:
There are several types of electrical estimating outsourcing methods that can be used to estimate the costs of electrical installations. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages and is suitable for different types of projects. In this introduction, we will provide an overview of some of the most common types of electrical estimating methods.
- Unit Pricing Method
The unit pricing method is one of the simplest electrical estimating methods. It involves calculating the cost of materials and labor per unit of work, such as per square foot or per fixture. This method is commonly used for small to medium-sized projects where the work is standardized and can be easily quantified. However, the unit pricing method may not be suitable for complex projects or projects that require a lot of customization.
- Assembly Method
The assembly method involves breaking down the project into smaller components or assemblies, such as lighting fixtures, switchgear, and conduits. The cost of each assembly is then calculated based on the cost of materials, labor, and equipment required. This method is more accurate than the unit pricing method and is suitable for larger and more complex projects. However, it requires a detailed understanding of the project and the components involved, as well as accurate cost data for each component.
- Square Foot Method
The square foot method involves estimating the cost of electrical work based on the area of the building or space being worked on. This method is commonly used for commercial and industrial projects, where the area being worked on is large and can be easily quantified. However, this method may not be suitable for projects with a lot of variation in the electrical work required.
- Time and Material Method
The time and material method involves estimating the cost of electrical work based on the time required to complete the project and the cost of the materials used. This method is commonly used for smaller projects where the scope of work is not well defined or for projects where changes may be required during the project. However, this method can be less accurate than other methods, as the actual time and materials required may differ from the initial estimate.
- Design-Build Method
The design-build method involves the electrical contractor being involved in the design and planning stage of the project, in addition to the construction phase. This method allows for more collaboration between the contractor and the client and can result in a more efficient and cost-effective project. However, this method requires a high level of expertise and may not be suitable for all projects.
- Lump Sum Method
The lump sum method involves the electrical contractor providing a single price for the entire project, based on the scope of work and the client’s requirements. This method is commonly used for larger and more complex projects where the scope of work is well-defined. However, this method may not be suitable for projects where changes may be required during the project, as these changes can result in additional costs.
- Cost-Plus Method
The cost-plus method involves the electrical contractor charging the client for the actual cost of materials, labor, and equipment used, plus a percentage of the total cost as a profit. This method is commonly used for projects where the scope of work is not well defined or where changes may be required during the project. However, this method can result in higher costs for the client, as the final cost is not known until the project is complete.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, electrical estimating is a critical process in the construction industry that involves the calculation of the cost of electrical installations in a project. There are different types of electrical estimating methods, including unit price, lump sum, and time and material. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of method will depend on the project’s complexity, size, and scope.
