COST ESTIMATION

ESTIMATION GUIDE
1. Prepare paper, pencils, scale and rulers. Mark papers indicating the
panel no., circuit number and the location of the circuit run.
2. Study plans, drawing and specifications.
2.1 Coordinate with Civil, Mechanical and Architectural Estimators
about the following
2.1.1 Height between floors
2.1.2 Drop ceilings and ceiling supports
2.1.3 Height between finish floor and ceilings
2.1.4 Major beams and columns thru which conduits may not pass
2.1.5 Other architectural/civil/mechanical drawings indicating
positions of the lights, special outlets or aircon unit
equipment.
2.2 Check and make a physical count of the following
2.2.1 Lighting fixtures number of each type of fixtures
2.2.2 Convenience outlets duplex
2.2.3 Special outlet
2.2.4 Panel boards make a complete description of each panel
board.
The description should include:
a. main breaker rating or lugs only
b. no. of branches per ampere trip
c. kAIC
2.2.5 Other electrical equipment to be supplied by contractor
2.3 Study carefully the circuit runs and the riser diagram together with
the schedule of load.
3. Determine the approximate length of wire and conduit per circuit.
3.1 For the conduit (each circuit) - measure the length from the last
outlet to the panel using the scale. The trace of the route must be
followed as per drawing.
3.2 For the wire measure the length between outlets and the length
shall be multiplied by the no. of wires. The sum of the products
(lengths x the no of wires) shall be the approximate length of wire.
3.3 Sum up the total length of conduit per size and divide by 3. Round
off and add 10%.
3.4 Sum up the total length of wire for each size and divide by 150 to
get the no of rolls. Round off and add 10%.
 3.5 Set aside the papers and data temporarily.
4. Determine the approximate length of wire and conduct for the panel
homerun to the main panel or main distribution panel.
4.1 Conduits measure the length of the run. Check the shortest
possible route and avoid obstructions. Total length divide 3 and add
5%
4.2 Wire multiply the length of conduct by the following constants
a. 2- for two-wire single phase
b. 3- for two-wire single phase with neutral
c. 3- for three-wire, 3-phase
d. 4- for 3-phase, 4 wire
5. Boxes
5.1 Octagonal boxes provide one box for each lighting fixtures
5.2 Utility box 4x 2 provide one box for each switch, duplex outlet
or special outlet (small)
5.3 Square box 4 provide one box if the conduits terminating exceed
4 conduits or special big outlets.
5.4 Square box 4 11/16 provide one box for one-inch diameter
conduits or for special purpose outlets. Also provide one box for
multiple (6 or more) terminations.
5.5 Pull boxes provide one box for every 18 meters of conduits length
depending upon the length of run. Other pull boxes may be
designated by plans. Check with the designer/consultant about the
sizes.
6. Fittings
6.1 For PVC pipes
6.1.1 Couplings provide 1 coupling for every length plus 1
coupling for every termination.
6.1.2 Elbows provide 1-900 elbow for every quarter turn for
sizes of 32 mm (1 1/4) and above.
6.1.3 Cement provide 1 can for every 10 length of conduit.
6.1.4 End bells provide 1 for every termination.
6.2 For RSC conduits
6.2.1 Coupling provide 1 additional coupling for every 5 lengths
6.2.2 Elbows- provide one 90-degree elbow every 90-degree turn
for sizes of 25 mm (1) diameter above.
6.2.3 Locknut and bushing provide one pair for every
termination.
6.3 For electrical metallic tubing
6.3.1 Couplings- one set for every length
 6.3.2 Elbows- use on site bended EMT
6.3.3 Adapters w/ locknut and bushing- for every termination are
1 adapter and 1 pair of locknut and bushings.
6.4 Straps two (2) straps for every length of conduit. In sizes of 25
mm diameter and above use clamps especially for RSC or EMT
conduits.
6.5 Other fittings
6.5.1 Wire trays/cable trays check with drawings and
consultant/designer
6.5.2 Cable trough / duets check w/ drawings especially that
the drawings may have specific sizes.
7. Other Considerations
7.1 for lighting fixtures add 1 m of wire for every termination or
lighting fixtures
7.2 for convenience outlets
a. Add 0.8 m. for every C.0. to the length of pipe and 1m of
wire for every termination
b. Add 0.4 m above the height of counters if the C.O. is
above the counter in addition to the height of the
counter. Add also 1 m of wire for every termination.
7.3 for homeruns terminating a panel boards add 2 meters of
wires for every circuit.
7.4 provide an empty conduit for every spare circuit per panel
7.5 normally the electronic and communication circuits will be in
separate sheets and have an ECE estimate
7.6 provide 1 connector for every termination # 6 up.
8. Summarize the lists of materials as follows
8.1 conduits total of each size
8.2 fittings - total of each type/size
8.3 boxes - total of each type/size
8.4 panels per panel and lowest canvassed price
8.5 Wires - total length of each wire size
8.6 Connectors (solderless less) total termination of each size for wire
#6 wire and above.
8.7 Tape 1 roll PVC tape for every 100 m of wire plus 1 roll of rubber
tape for every 200m of wire.
8.8 other materials must be itemized.
9. Costing
9.1 get the unit cost for each item and deduct all discounts.
9.2 from the total cost add 5% to 10% mark up
9.3 For all others materials like duets, panels, transfer switches, safety
switches, and etc.- get the price from the fabricator net (less discounts) and
add 5% markup.
10. Preparation of Bid or Asking Price
10.1 Material cost
Conduits Fitting Boxes__________________________
Wires and wiring Devices________________________
Lighting fixtures _______________________________
Safety Devices_________________________________
Service Entrance and Mains_______________________
Others________________________________________
_______________________
Subtotal A
10.2 Labor Cost
10.1 If materials are imported
a. Labor Cost is 20 % of subtotal A
b. Supervision is 3% of subtotal A
c. Mark-up is 1.25 % of subtotal A
10.2 If the conduits and most materials are locally available
a. Labor cost is 25 % to 30% of subtotal A
b. Supervision cost is 4% to 5% of subtotal A
c. Mark up cost is 2 % of subtotal A
10.3 Contingencies an allowance of 5% to 7% of the total cost
of materials and labor
10.4 Overhead this include the cost of transportation, office
staff tools and equipment depreciation, papers and office
supplies to representation, and cost of money.
- Normally 7% to 10% of the cost of materials is the cost of
overhead.
10.5 Permits show the plans to the municipal electrical
engineer or his assistant and request for an estimate. Add 5% to
cover the exingencies.
10.6 a. the sum cost as computed in 10.1 and 10.5 is to be
multiplied by 0.03 to get the contractors tax.
b. Add the contractors tax to the sum of sections 10.1 to 10.5
and round off. This will be your bid price.
 An electrical contractor's work begins before a construction project is ever underway
when he submits an estimate for the project's electrical work. Whether high-voltage,
cable and wiring, lighting, or systems work, NECA has the information that helps
electrical contractors estimate profitable projects.

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Wiring
Installing wiring devices, including outlets, switches, motion sensing devices and
lampholders, is a critical step in completing a safe and successful electrical installation.
Wiring standards addresses the quality and performance aspects of the wiring of
electrical systems. The NEC rules for installing branch circuits, feeders, and service
conductors all provide safety aspects necessary for the installation, but do not address
the quality of the installation or how it should look once completed. The quality of the
installation (specifically the wiring) is a characteristic that is unmistakable, and remains
in the minds of customers long after the installation is first installed.

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Lighting
Lighting technology is on a fast pace to incorporate new technology such as fiber optics
and light-emitting diode systems into everyday applications. These NEIS go beyond the
safety installation rules in the NEC and compliment them with applying effective lighting
designs for specific and unique applications in the field. Light management and
controlling light pollution is becoming more important in design as well as use of
sophisticated lighting control systems to reduce energy consumption. This category of
NEIS provides many of the essential elements of installing effective, energy efficient
lighting for every application, including high-mast and roadway lighting systems.