Accurate CSI Division 26 electrical cost estimates and material takeoffs for electrical contractors, estimators, and builders across commercial, industrial, and residential projects in the USA.
An electrical estimate is typically $150–$1,000. Size and scope set that fee, and most electrical estimates are done in 24–48 hours.
Representative Quantification & BOQ Deliverable
| Work Item / Specification | Quantity | Unit |
|---|---|---|
Main 2000A 480Y/277V Switchboard (NEMA 1) | 1.0 | EA |
480V-208Y/120V 75kVA Step-Down Transformer | 3.0 | EA |
42-Circuit 208Y/120V NLAB Panelboards (225A) | 6.0 | EA |
60A 3-Pole 480V NEMA 3R Safety Disconnects | 8.0 | EA |
200kW Diesel Standby Generator & 400A ATS | 1.0 | EA |
FROM THE PUBLISHED F&K PORTFOLIO
These selected workbook lines show how measured quantities, source references and allowances are kept separate. They demonstrate this sample scope, not a complete estimate or proof of every trade offered on this page.
| Source item | Base quantity | With source allowance | Drawing / cell |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/4" Emt Conduit | 19,870 FT | 20,863.5 FT | E 101 - 701 · F18 |
| 3/4" Flex Conduit | 1,584 FT | 1,663.2 FT | E 101 - 701 · F19 |
Display rounded to three decimal places. Source units and original values are retained; no project award, client endorsement or priced total is implied.
Open the full sample context and drawing referencesUpload your architectural, structural, or engineering drawings. Include your trade scope, project location and bid deadline. The quote will confirm the fee, deliverables and delivery date.
CSI Division 26 Electrical estimating inquiry
Specialized construction takeoffs
Review materials, units and scope
Confirm your deadline before work starts
Plan-based quantity takeoffs
Identify the current drawing revision, included systems, alternates and addenda. Agree whether labor, equipment, demolition, testing, permits, taxes, freight and owner-furnished items are included. Missing design information needs a recorded allowance or clarification; estimating does not replace engineering design or code approval.
Keep measured quantities separate from waste and procurement allowances. For a priced estimate, confirm the project location, pricing date, supplier inputs and labor basis. Final bid qualifications and markups remain subject to contractor review.
Electrical systems involve thousands of individual items—from tiny wire nuts and fittings to high-capacity copper feeders and complex 480V switchgear. Underestimating conduit runs or miscalculating copper weight can destroy a subcontractor's profitability.
Service size, voltages, AIC ratings & breaker counts
Conduit LF, wire size/length, junction boxes
Luminaires, controls, receptacles & switches
Switchboards, panelboards, transformers, ATS
Journeyman wireman & apprentice productivity
Circuit schedule audit & bid summary package
Every estimate prepared by F&K Estimatings delivers an exhaustive line-item breakdown formatted for material suppliers, specialty subcontractors, and general contractor bid reviews.
An electrical estimate is typically $150–$1,000. Size and scope set that fee, and most electrical estimates are done in 24–48 hours.
| Estimate Component | Included Scope & Line Items | Unit of Measure |
|---|---|---|
Service Entrance & Switchgear | Main switchboards (400A to 4000A), CT cabinets, distribution sections, ground fault relays, metering. | Each (EA) |
Panelboards & Transformers | 208Y/120V & 480Y/277V lighting/power panels, dry-type step-down transformers (15kVA to 500kVA), disconnects. | Count (EA) |
Feeder Conduit & Conductors | Rigid metal conduit (RMC), EMT, PVC, copper THHN/XHHW feeder cables (#4 AWG to 600 kcmil), aluminum feeders. | Linear Feet (LF) |
Branch Circuitry & Wiring | 1/2" to 1" EMT, MC cable runs, stranded copper branch wiring (#12, #10 AWG), homeruns, junction boxes. | Linear Feet (LF) |
Wiring Devices & Receptacles | Duplex 20A receptacles, GFCI, isolated ground, USB outlets, toggle switches, occupancy wall sensors, cover plates. | Count (EA) |
Lighting Fixtures & Luminaires | 2x4 LED troffers, downlights, high-bay linear LEDs, architectural pendants, exterior wall packs, exit/emergency lights. | Count (EA) |
Lighting Control Systems | 0-10V dimming loops, room controllers, occupancy/daylight sensors, digital central lighting panels. | System / EA |
Motor Connections & VFDs | Motor disconnect switches, magnetic starters, variable frequency drives (VFD), control wiring to mechanical RTUs. | Count (EA) |
Emergency Power & Generation | Diesel generator sets, automatic transfer switches (ATS), emergency load panels, transient voltage surge suppression (TVSS). | Each (EA) |
Bid-Ready Electrical BOQ | Itemized Excel workbook with NECA labor units, supply house material quotes, and marked PDF plan sets. | Complete Bid Package |
Select a category below to explore our specific measurement parameters and deliverable formats.
Complete takeoff of primary electrical distribution gear from utility transformer to branch subpanels.
Deliverable Format
Equipment schedule tagged to electrical one-line diagrams with full breaker sizing.
Every electrical takeoff is structured under standard CSI MasterFormat Division 26 codes, ensuring seamless trade bidding and supplier procurement.
Our format matches general contractor scope sheets, preventing missed items on bid day.
Raceways, conduits, conductors, and electrical grounding.
Lighting controls, relays, dimming systems, and time switches.
Service entrance switchboards, distribution panels, and load centers.
Wiring devices, disconnect switches, and enclosures.
Standby diesel generators, transfer switches, and fuel systems.
Interior architectural lighting, emergency egress, and exterior lighting.
Accurate feeder takeoffs require tracing circuit lengths from the main electrical room through horizontal runs and vertical shafts, calculating conductor poundage, voltage drop allowances, and pull box sizing.
Send your drawing sheets for a dedicated takeoff schedule.
Reference 75°C copper ampacity table utilized by our estimators:
Understanding whether your team needs raw quantity measurements or a fully priced bid estimate helps you order the exact service you require.
Our systematic 7-step engineering process eliminates missing elements, prevents duplicate counts, and delivers defensible estimates.
We review the electrical single-line schematic, utility service entrance specs, AIC fault ratings, and panelboard schedules.
Using digital takeoff software, we trace all primary and secondary feeder raceways, calculating exact length with vertical drops.
We tally all receptacles, switches, motor disconnects, and home runs on power floor plans.
We cross-reference the lighting fixture schedule with reflected ceiling plans, measuring lighting track, troffers, and control loops.
We apply industry-standard NECA labor units adjusted for installation height, conduit bends, and building type.
We price copper wire, conduit, and gear using real-time wholesale electrical supplier cost databases.
A Senior Electrical Estimator conducts a peer review to verify phase balancing, circuit counts, and addenda changes.
From commercial tenant fit-outs to heavy industrial complexes, we adapt our takeoff methodology to project specifications.
Power distribution, decorative and ambient LED lighting, floor boxes, and tenant submetering.
480V 3-Phase power, bus duct, motor control centers, high-bay lighting, and heavy machine drops.
Apartment load centers, unit branch wiring, exterior site lighting, and EV charging stations.
Isolated power panels, emergency generator ATS systems, redundant hospital-grade wiring.
High-amp commercial cooking equipment disconnects, GFCI wet-location circuits, and hood interlocks.
Classroom lighting control panels, emergency distribution, and energy-efficient building automation.
Material and labor costs fluctuate drastically by project geography, supplier logistics, trade union jurisdictions, and site conditions. We do not use flat national averages.
Confirm the pricing date, project ZIP code, supplier quotations, labor basis and equipment allowances in the project brief. Identify any owner-supplied rates or provisional costs separately.
Copper wire and conduit prices shift with global metal markets. Our estimates use current market price indices.
Journeyman wireman union wages versus open-shop electrical labor rates vary substantially across regions.
Working above 14 feet in open web steel joists requires specialized lifts and increases man-hours.
Custom switchgear (Square D, Eaton, Siemens) with high AIC ratings carries significant lead times and cost variations.
Class I/II Division explosion-proof fixtures and NEMA 4X stainless enclosures increase material costs.
Review illustrative project models demonstrating how CSI Division 26 Electrical quantities are extracted, itemized, and structured under standard contractor bidding conditions.
Agree the scope and review requirements for your project. Check quantities against the supplied drawing revision and record unresolved items before preparing a final bid.
When bidding tight commercial deadlines, subcontractors cannot afford incomplete takeoffs or guesswork. A clear estimating brief helps identify the quantities, pricing inputs and qualifications needed for bid review.
Request drawing references and identify allowances separately from measured quantities.
Identify addenda and agree the revision scope, fee and delivery date.
Confirm the spreadsheet format, formulas and cost inputs required for your bid.
Confirm the project ZIP code, pricing date, supplier quotations and labor basis.
Detailed technical and commercial answers to help you navigate electrical estimating service, material scheduling, and bid preparation.
For a contractor bid, identify the trade package, issued plan revision, specifications, alternates and the responsibility for adjoining work. Separate measured quantities from unit prices, subcontractor quotations and project allowances so the bid reviewer can trace each assumption.
Agree the spreadsheet columns, drawing references, exclusions, pricing date and revision allowance before work starts. An addendum or changed scope needs an identified issue date and change record; an illustrative sample does not establish project-specific pricing or specialist experience.
Compare commercial bid estimating scope with the published sample evidence, then request the required handoff.