Service entrance
utility coordination items, service conductors, metering, and grounding
Division 26, Electrical
Electrical Estimating Services for Electrical Contractors
An electrical estimate starts with counting (fixtures, receptacles, switches) but most of the money is in what connects them: the feeders from the switchboard, the home runs back to the panels, the conduit and wire between every box. Then there's labor, which on most electrical jobs is the largest cost of all.
Our electrical estimating services take off Division 26 from the electrical drawings, schedules, and riser diagrams, with labor hours based on installation conditions, so you can bid with confidence and still finish with a margin.
Division 26Gear, feeders, branch, lighting
Excel + PDFWith marked-up drawings
ZIP-code pricedLocal material and labor rates
24 to 48 hoursTypical turnaround
Service, Distribution & Feeders
Switchgear and switchboards
typically priced from vendor quotes
Panelboards and transformers
from panel schedules
Feeders
conduit and conductors measured from the riser diagram and plans, sized from the feeder schedule
Generators, transfer switches, and UPS
, when in scope
Grounding and bonding
Feeders are measured by actual routing, not straight-line distance, with allowances for vertical rises and terminations.
Branch Power, Devices & Lighting
Lighting fixtures
by type from the fixture schedule
Lighting controls
switches, occupancy sensors, dimmers, and control panels
Receptacles
by type: standard, GFCI, dedicated, and floor boxes
Equipment connections
HVAC units, motors, kitchen equipment, and owner-furnished items
Branch circuit conduit and wire
, or MC cable where allowed
Boxes, supports, and fittings
Branch wiring can be estimated by measuring circuit runs or by using assemblies per device. We use the approach that suits the drawings and your preference.
Labor Units and Adjustments
Electrical labor is usually built from labor units (standard hours per item) then adjusted for conditions. Industry references such as the NECA Manual of Labor Units are a common baseline. Adjustments typically account for:
- Installation height
- Working in occupied buildings or existing structures
- Exposed versus concealed work
- Concrete-embedded conduit
- Project size and repetition
- Local productivity and labor rates
We show labor hours by system, so you can apply your own crew rates and productivity factors.
Items Electrical Bids Often Miss
Temporary power and lighting
during construction
Equipment connections for other trades
and whether disconnects and starters are furnished by mechanical MEP estimating →
Site lighting
and underground conduit
Fire alarm
often a separate subcontract, but sometimes in Division 26
Low-voltage pathways
conduit and back boxes for data, security, and AV Telecom estimating →
Firestopping
at electrical penetrations
Permits, testing, and as-builts
Project Types
- Commercial: offices, retail, healthcare, education, hospitality
- Multifamily and residential
- Industrial: motor feeds, MCCs, cable tray, and controls Industrial estimating →
- Solar and EV charging installations
- Renovations and tenant improvements
Who Uses Electrical Estimating
- Electrical contractors
- General contractors checking electrical bids
- Design-build electrical firms
- Owners planning upgrades
Checklist
What to Send
- Electrical drawings: power, lighting, systems, and site
- Riser diagrams and panel schedules
- Fixture schedule
- Division 26 specifications
- Mechanical equipment schedules (for connections)
- Addenda
Send Your Files
Upload the drawings through our quote form, share a Google Drive or plan-room link, or email them. Large sets travel best as a shared folder.
Upload Your Plans →Or email info@primeestimation.com.
Excel + PDFWith marked-up drawings
Deliverables
What You Receive
- Fixture and device counts by type
- Conduit and wire quantities by size
- Feeder takeoff
- Gear list for vendor pricing
- Labor hours by system
- Color-coded marked-up drawings
- Excel and PDF files, or a format compatible with your estimating software
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an electrical estimate include?
Service and distribution equipment, feeders, branch circuits, lighting, devices, equipment connections, grounding, and labor, plus items like temporary power if in scope.
Do you price switchgear?
Major gear is usually priced from vendor quotes. We provide the gear list for quoting and carry your pricing or estimated values. Single-trade takeoffs typically run $250 to $600.
How do you calculate electrical labor?
From labor units per item, adjusted for height, conditions, and project specifics.
Ready to Get Started?
Bid the Wire, Not Just the Devices
Send your electrical drawings and specs. We'll quote the estimate and delivery date.