Answers for contractors
Straight answers to the questions contractors ask about electrical estimates: what a takeoff is, what an estimate costs, how long it takes, what it should include, whether to outsource, and what to send. Written by Yan Zaslavsky, who has estimated electrical work for 30+ years.
- What is an electrical takeoff?The count and measurement of every electrical item on the drawings: what is counted, how it is done, and how it becomes an estimate.
- How much does an electrical estimate cost in Ontario?Priced per project, not as a percentage of your bid. What sets the fee, how to compare services, and what a cheap estimate really costs.
- How long does an electrical takeoff and estimate take?24 to 48 hours for most tender packages, with typical times by project type and how to get yours back sooner.
- What is included in an electrical estimate?Takeoff, material, labour, equipment quotes, job costs, exclusions and RFIs, plus the red flags to look for.
- Should you outsource electrical estimating or hire an estimator?When each makes sense, compared side by side, and how to make an outside estimator work for you.
- What to send for an accurate electrical estimateA checklist of drawings, specification divisions, addenda and bid documents.
Shorter questions
Payment, working hours, formats, confidentiality and more are answered in the FAQ.
Send the drawings. Get a fixed price within one working hour.
Tell us your bid closing. If we cannot meet it, we say so before any work starts. And if the general contractor later questions your price, we defend it with you.