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Enroll In Our Online Electrical Estimating Program.

Below is a detailed description of our Online training program. 

PHASE 1

  • Once you register you will be given access to the online classroom.
  • Students will download all provided course documents.
  • Student will complete 12 lessons at your own pace.
  • Lessons typically are under 60 minutes. Students can complete more than one lesson per day.
  • Students can take each lesson at anytime day or night. All lessons are pre-recorded. 
  • Students can watch each lesson as many times as they wish.

PHASE 2 

  • Each Student will be given access to Phase 2 bid documents & OnScreen Software.
  • iBidElectric Electrical Estimating Spreadsheet (provided) Student Must Have Microsoft Excel
  • Students will be instructed on how to perform each estimating task over 14 days via pre-recorded videos.
  • Each student must prepare an estimate on a Million Plus project over 14 days.
  • In order to successfully pass the course the student’s proposal must be +/- 5% of the instructor’s proposal.

Important Note: While all lessons are pre-recorded, each student will have access to their instructor via email throughout the course. If a question cannot be answered via email, the instructor will schedule a phone call, online meeting, or both with the student.  

ADVANCED ELECTRICAL ESTIMATING

  • After successfully completing the Basic Electrical Estimating Course students will be given Lifetime access to Advanced Electrical Estimating lessons. 

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

  • Experience: 40 Years of Commercial Electrical Construction 
  • Positions: Junior, Senior, & Chief Estimator, VP Preconstruction
  • Employers: Local, Regional, and ENR Top 40 Electrical Contractors

Avoid Costly Mistakes:

Mistakes made during the preparation of an electrical construction estimate can cost tens of thousands of dollars if not more. Losing a project that could have provided valuable backlog and profit can cost a contractor hundreds of thousands of dollars in missed opportunities. Learn how to properly prepare an electrical construction cost estimate to avoid costly errors and increase your chances to win profitable projects. 

Some common mistakes:

  • Misinterpreting the scope of work. 
  • Missing documents & addenda.
  • Incorrectly understanding match lines.
  • Unrealistic labor units
  • Miscalculating general conditions & direct job expenses.

Online Electrical Estimating Course

The iBidElectric Electrical Estimating Course – is more than an introductory course. Of course, we teach you how to develop the skills and knowledge to accurately estimate costs to construct electrical projects. We go beyond that and teach you advanced estimating & business development techniques to win profitable projects. 

Course Setting: Online

Length of Course:

Basic Electrical Estimating – Study at your own pace.

Course Schedule:  All classes in our online classroom. 

Course Prerequisites: Must have a high-speed internet connection with the latest web browsers.

Who Should Enroll: 

  • Electrical Engineers
  • Project Managers
  • Electricians
  • Construction Managers
  • Facility Managers
  • College Interns

Course Overview

Students will learn proven principles and methodologies of electrical estimating through a range of lessons such as; blueprint & specification review, takeoffs of common systems and items, such as fixtures, distribution, feeder and branch conduit & wire, equipment, systems wiring, and devices. Our electrical estimating course is broken down into 2 phases. Learn by watching and learn by doing. Participants are required to submit a completed bid at the end of the course. This bid will be the primary means of measuring performance and determining success. The entire course is delivered via the internet. This internet-based instructional approach delivers a superior learning experience with higher subject retention. Participants are introduced to concepts through demonstrations, which are then followed by practical hands-on exercises.

Learn Electrical Estimating Online

Here, we offer the most unique training system for electrical estimators available. Yes, there are other training courses available. Typically these are conducted offline in a remote classroom that can require travel time & lodging. Our course is conducted entirely online.

Learn from your home or office. Learn Electrical Estimating Online

LEARN ELECTRICAL ESTIMATING

Phase 1 – Learn By Watching 

Phase I  – Study at your own pace.

You will learn the process of electrical estimating beginning with the specification review all the way through the recap and proposal. 

Lesson 1 – Introduction to Electrical Estimating I

  • Role of an electrical estimator
  • Job duties of an electrical estimator
  • Skillsets

Lesson 2 – Specification Review

  • Specification review
  • General Conditions
  • Instructions to Bidders
  • Insurance & Bonding
  • Technical Sections

Lesson 3 – Plan Review

  • Plan Review
  • Plan Format
  • Symbols, Legends & Schedules
  • Matchlines
  • Plan Review Checklist

Lesson 4 – Lighting & Controls

  • Fixture Schedule
  • Lengths vs Counts
  • Lighting Control Devices

Lesson 5 – Introduction to Onscreen Takeoff

  • How to create an estimate & import drawings
  • How to create count items
  • How to create measurement items
  • How to export takeoff to Excel

Lessson 6 – Distribution

  • One-Line Diagram
  • Panel Schedules
  • Panels, Transformers & Disconnects

Lesson 7 – Branch Power

  • Symbol Schedule
  • Installation – Wall, Floor & Ceiling
  • Device takeoff using assemblies

Lesson 8 – Equipment

  • Mechanical Equipment
  • Plumbing Equipment
  • Kitchen Equipment

Lesson 9 – Systems

  • Tele Data
  • Fire Alarm
  • Security

Lesson 10 – Branch Conduit & Wire

  • Types of Conduit
  • Conduit Fittings
  • Supports

 

Lesson 11 – Feeder Conduit & Wire

Types of Conduit

Conduit Fittings

Supports

Lesson 12 – Finalize The Estimate

  • Material Pricing
  • Labor Units
  • General Expenses
  • Equipment
  • Direct Job Expenses
  • Overhead & Profit
  • Proposal Letter

 

 Phase 2 – Learn By Doing 

Phase II  – 14 Days

Each student will prepare a complete estimate on a project that exceeds an electrical value of $1 Million with a 2-week bid date. The student will be given access to an online takeoff application that will allow them to complete each step of the estimate. Each student will also be given our Microsoft Excel Estimate Spreadsheet that we have spent many hours & years developing. In order to successfully pass the course and receive our certificate of completion the student’s proposal must be plus or minus 5% of the instructors’ estimate. You must have Excel on your computer to use our spreadsheet. You will also need an internet connection to attend our online classes.

Learn By Doing Series

Day 1 – Download Onscreen Takeoff & Estimate Setup

  • Download OnScreen Takeoff Software
  • Estimate Setup
  • Upload Bid Documents

Day 2 – Specification Review

  • Specification review
  • General Conditions
  • Instructions to Bidders
  • Insurance & Bonding
  • Technical Sections

Day 3 – Plan Review

  • Plan Review
  • Plan Format
  • Symbols, Legends & Schedules
  • Matchlines
  • Plan Review Checklist

 

 

Day 4 – Lighting & Controls Takeoff

  • Fixture Schedule
  • Lengths vs Counts
  • Lighting Control Devices

 

Day 5 – Distribution Takeoff

  • One-Line Diagram
  • Panel Schedules
  • Panels, Transformers & Disconnects

 

Day 6 – Branch Power Takeoff

  • Symbol Schedule
  • Installation – Wall, Floor & Ceiling
  • Device takeoff using assemblies

Day 7 – Equipment Takeoff

  • Types of Equipment
  • FBO IBEC
  • Single Point Connections
  • Starters, Disconnects & VFD’s

Day 8 – Systems Takeoff

  • Fire Alarm
  • Security / CCTV
  • Tele Data
  • Cable Tray
  • Conduit & Pullstrings

Day 9 – Branch Conduit & Wire Takeoff

  • Types of Conduit & Wire
  • Underground, Concealed & Exposed
  • Supports
  • Phased Takeoff

Day 10 – Feeder Conduit & Wire Takeoff

  • Types of Conduit & Wire
  • Underground, Concealed & Exposed
  • Supports
  • Phased Takeoff

Day 11 – Material Pricing

  • Unit Costs
  • Assembly Costs
  • Escalation

Day 12 – Labor Units

  • NECA Labor Units
  • Historical LaborUnits
  • Labor Factors

Day 13 – Finalize The Estimate

  • Subcontractor Quotes
  • Supplier Quotes
  • General Expenses
  • Equipment Costs
  • Direct Job Expenses
  • Overhead & Profit
  • Proposal Letter

Day 14 – Bid Day

  • Email Proposal Letter to Instructor
  • The bid must be plus or minus 5% to pass the course
  • Begin Level 2

 

Phase 3 – Advanced Electrical Estimating 

Once the student successfully completes the Basic Electrical Estimating Course they will be given a Certificate of Completion.

Lesson 1 – Introduction to Electrical Estimating II

Lesson 2 – Specification Review

Lesson 3 – Plan Review

Lesson 4 – Lighting & Controls

Lesson 5 – Distribution

Lesson 6 – Branch Power

Lesson 7 – Equipment

Lesson 8 – Conduit & Wire Lighting

Lesson 9 – Conduit & Wire Power

Lesson 10 – Conduit & Wire Distribution

Lesson 11 – Fire Alarm System

Lesson 12 – Tele Data

Lesson 13 – Audio Visual

Lesson 14 – Security & Access Control

Lesson 15 – Estimate Review

Lesson 16 – Pricing the Estimate

Lesson 17 – Estimate Recap

Lesson 18 – Proposal & Negotiation