There is no possible way to effectively bid electrical work by the sq ft. You can bid by the length of, size of, and number of circuits. But a pair of 2000 sq ft buildings could have vastly different layouts, lighting requirements and receptacle requirements.

 

I’m just a R-Mix electrician so take this for what it’s worth, but a burrito joint, an Attorney office and a greeting card shop would all fit in @backstay 2000sf footprint. Each one will have a unique design that will have to be bid custom. You’re going to need plans to take off of to be anywhere close to reality.

 

What are you looking to quote on? A storage building or a hospital? I googled it and saw a range from $2 to $12 a square ft. This method is only used as a starting point for people looking for rough budget numbers for renovation or capital cost for a new structure.

Smart contractors who want to stay in business don't use this method to bid and spec work. They do it the old fashion way, they use cost estimating software.

 

What are you looking to quote on? A storage building or a hospital? I googled it and saw a range from $2 to $12 a square ft. This method is only used as a starting point for people looking for rough budget numbers for renovation or capital cost for a new structure.

Smart contractors who want to stay in business don't use this method to bid and spec work. They do it the old fashion way, they use cost estimating software.

That's not 'the old fashioned way'. Doing it on paper is. I use to use the RS Means books to do takeoffs.

 

RSMeans is cheap for what you get out of it.
Check it out.

 

There are tons of websites that give info on this. All of them different. It doesn't work in commercial. You will either lose your shirt on the job, or bid yourself out of it. You have to do the work, no easy way.

 

There was another publication out other than RSMeans, McGraw-Hill I believe. Probably more now if you look for them. All of them are equally worthless. Material printed is out of date by the time it is formatted for the layout.

Commercial work is challenging, and you do not provide a clue why it is. Cutthroat is a better word in my opinion. Bidding on the "street" is an eye opening event. I took a couple of estimating classes, (not cheap) in the early days. One the instructor on the first bid we did. Spent a hour explaining how the bid in the middle was the right one and all of the others were high or low. The plans we were using were old "street prints".
I left the class after the lunch break. Being in the middle was a worthless concept for me.

Have you considered that your labor or material pricing is to high?

 

There was another publication out other than RSMeans, McGraw-Hill I believe. Probably more now if you look for them. All of them are equally worthless. Material printed is out of date by the time it is formatted for the layout.

Commercial work is challenging, and you do not provide a clue why it is. Cutthroat is a better word in my opinion. Bidding on the "street" is an eye opening event. I took a couple of estimating classes, (not cheap) in the early days. One the instructor on the first bid we did. Spent a hour explaining how the bid in the middle was the right one and all of the others were high or low. The plans we were using were old "street prints".
I left the class after the lunch break. Being in the middle was a worthless concept for me.

Have you considered that your labor or material pricing is to high?

EXPERIENCE IMO is only way you will bid successfully, no matter what platform you use.
Not for bidding, but another tool in the toolbox:
McGraw Hill puts out the American Electricians Handbook. Has EVERYTHING in it up to the date it was published. I have one on my desk. Book is about 3 1/4"" thick

 

We are leaving something out here. Architect and Engineer can make or break you. All you need is to have one ego maniac in control of your job and ruin a perfectly good estimate. Make lists of the good ones vs the idiots. Reference that list each time you sit down at the estimating table. The other guys who spoke before me are also 100% correct about the sq foot nonsense. You have to spend big money on a really good software package and training to be able to keep up with the other guys who did that same thing before you came along. They know the numbers based on the layout, the spec's, and the customer's who can also make or break you with such things as parking and clean up , and scheduling. Good luck. I quit long ago. Too much like playing Roulette .

 

 

Architect and engineer don't play a role at bidding. As long as you bid 'per drawings' you are fine. Some GC's welcome many RFIs, but most want you to bid per drawing and spec's, if...any spec's, and generate change orders once underway and you find out drawings are shite.
Clean up and parking are in any bid over head including plethora of other things. Bottom line is Sq ft bidding is road to bankruptcy. If GC invites for a budget number, I normally pass unless its a GC I know and will get the job if awarded.

 

I completely agree with you on this matter. I'm extremely thorough when it comes to reading notes and specs during the takeoff, but then I find that I'm overthinking past situations or scenarios that might have been costly. so, when it comes to presenting the proposal outlining the scope of work, and qualifications, add or dedut alternates, and exclusions, the feedback is that I'm 20-30% higher than my competitors. Most GCs are looking for the lowest number and not comparing apples to apples. I completely understand there are numerous factors that would drive a project (High-end fixture packages, lighting controls, etc) I always propose VE options for cost savings, but most respond if I'm higher than the next guy as specified per plans and specs they don't find there's a need for such savings. IT'S FUSTRATING!

 

Thank you for your feedback I greatly appreciate it