Having the ability to estimate accurately is a critical skill for electrical contractors. This course will help you learn how to systematically put together an estimate for any job. You will also be introduced to a system that is easy for any contractor to use.
Discover essential formats for estimating equipment, labour and material costs. Examine the impact of material pricing and take-off.
Basics of estimating
Unlike most other construction professionals, electrical estimators don’t need a four-year degree to become an expert in their field. Most people who work in the industry are trained as estimators within their own or other electrical companies through apprenticeships. In addition, they often receive training from senior estimators to help them learn the skills needed for this role. Nevertheless, there are a few key traits that all successful electrical estimators have.
These include effective communication and collaboration skills. They are able to clearly communicate with project stakeholders, including clients and subcontractors. Moreover, they are able to identify and understand the various elements of an estimate, such as labour, equipment costs, and overhead and profit. This allows them to prepare accurate estimates and provide detailed information on the project’s cost.
Another crucial skill is knowledge of the latest trends in the industry. This includes new technologies that are evolving, such as energy-efficient solutions and renewable energies integration. Moreover, experienced estimators are familiar with the different ways in which these new technologies can be used to improve efficiency and save money.
Suderman’s Electrical Estimating Course is designed to teach participants how to systematically put together an accurate bid for electrical work. The course covers everything from material takeoff to final tender and all the steps in between. It also provides easy-to-follow forms and guides students step-by-step through the process. This makes it easy to spot errors and correct them.
Identifying a project
Identifying a project involves finding a business opportunity, developing a plan to achieve it, and identifying potential risks. Identifying a project can help businesses focus their resources on opportunities that are realistically achievable. It can also reduce the likelihood of failure by preventing the business from investing in unfeasible projects. Identifying a project is also critical to the successful implementation of any project.
This course teaches participants how to systematically put together an accurate bid for electrical work. It is designed for contractors; journeyperson electricians; maintenance electricians; purchasing personnel; and engineers, architects, and technicians. It covers all aspects of estimating from material take-off through to a complete estimate. You will learn to conduct your estimates in a systematic way, using easy-to-use forms that guide you step by step. This system makes errors easy to find and all materials are listed with a labour unit applied to each item. You will also learn to finalize a tender and add all overhead and other job costs including profit/contingencies.
This program combines classroom instruction and hands-on training using industry-current software. Students will be provided with a laptop loaded with the same construction, drafting and estimating software used by professionals in the industry. The courses are delivered in a flexible format and can be taken over several weeks. They are usually held on consecutive Saturdays or on two nights a week for consecutive weeks.
Developing an estimate
Creating an estimate is one of the most important aspects of electrical contracting. It allows you to establish your pricing, which helps you win projects and keep customers. It’s crucial to create a bid that is competitive enough to beat other contractors and high enough to cover all the costs of the project, including labor and material costs, subcontractors, overhead expenses, and profit.
Using an estimating template can save you time and ensure that all of your estimates are consistent. This also helps you keep track of all of your project costs and avoid overspending. It’s a good idea to keep a template on hand for every job so that you can quickly and easily generate an estimate and increase your productivity.
A well-written electrical estimate is a vital part of any successful business. It should include your company name, contact information, and a detailed breakdown of the work that needs to be done. It should also list any additional expenses that may be incurred, such as marketing costs or legal fees.
Whether you’re new to electrical drafting or an experienced professional, this course will provide the tools and knowledge needed to draft the electrical specifications used in construction projects. Students will learn how to use industry-current software and apply their knowledge of electrical engineering to develop construction documents, prepare schedules, and perform cost estimates.
Finalizing the estimate
Designed for those interested in becoming electrical estimators and workers with construction experience who want to improve their knowledge of estimating, this course will give you the tools needed to prepare a bid. You’ll learn essential formats to clearly identify equipment, labour, material and other service costs related to completing a project. You’ll also explore how a variety of physical site complexities can affect your estimated cost. Finally, you’ll develop a variety of methods to counter these variances.
This four-day course will teach you how to estimate in a systematic way from start to finish. You’ll learn how to use a template to organize your estimate, and you’ll discover how to calculate material prices and apply labour units to your estimate. You’ll also learn how to read blueprints and examine the impact of material pricing and take-off on estimating.
This course is a requirement for CIQS Estimator Certified (CEC). It’s the first step in a four-course certificate program that’s recognized by the Alberta construction industry and is offered through the University of Lethbridge. The program includes online sessions, which are available in the evenings or at any time during the week. The courses are led by experienced professionals with years of experience in the field. They’re designed for journeymen and apprentices, supervisors and managers, contractors, engineers and project administrators.