ESTIMATING ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION Takeoff Procedures ll Essential Forms ll Manhour TablesEstimating Electricat Construction The Take-off Procedure Lighting Fixtures Begin your take-off with the lighting fixture count. Write the number of the estimate in the upper right-hand corner of Work Sheet ‘Number 1. List the various lighting fixtures by notation in a column at the left of the work sheet, These fixtures and their notations are found on the Lighting Fixture Schedule (Sheet 2). Watch for notations and special re ‘quirements that may affect the lighting fix- tures, Next to the left column on your work sheet, list the first drawing that contains lighting fixtures, In our example, this is Sheet E3. Count each fixture in the drawing record the totals on the work sheet. As you count the fixtures on the drawing, mark them with a colored pencil. This will keep you from counting a fixture twice. When all fixtures in the drawing have been marked and counted, start a new column on the work sheet for the next drawing and repeat the counting procedure. Do this for each drawing that has lighting fixtures. Next, list the lamp sizes on the work sheet. ‘Lamp sizes and quantities are usually found on the Lighting Fixture Schedule, Multiply the number of lamps indicated for each fixture by the total number of fixtures. Then total the figures for each. ‘After the lighting fixtures and lamps have been taken off, number the work sheet at t) top of the page as shown and place it in the estimate folder for safe keeping. Your suppliers may want to know the number of fixtures so they can begin lining up the fixtures you need. It’s to your advantage to give them approximate numbers, But don’t pin yourself down to an exact count yet. Your hting fixture count and in fact all material quantities are still approximate at this point. Give them only round numbers. They can get by with approximate counts at this stage, Wiring Devices Write the estimate number at the top of Work Sheet Number 2. On this work sheet you'll record the number of wiring devices, such as lighting switches, duplex receptacles and fal outlets, List the actual counts in the eft column of the work sheet. The symbols are found on the Electrical Symbol List (Sheet El), At the top of the work sheet list the first drawing containing wiring devices. In this 8 case, it’s Sheet E3. Check the drawing for special notations and requirements. Count each device, marking it with a colored pencil as. before. Count and mark each device shown. Sometimes you may find devices on the draw- ing that are not on the Electrical Symbol List. When this happens, write the symbol on the work sheet and determine its use and size later. When all devices have been counted and marked and the totals written on Work Sheet Number 2, start on the next drawing that has wiring devices. Write the drawing number on the work sheet and start counting and mark- ing. Continue this procedure ‘until a all drawings have been checked and the totals written on the work sheet. If you run out of room on Work Sheet Number 2, continue on Work Sheet Number 8, as in the example. Conduit, Connectors and Wire On Work Sheet Number 4 record total conduit footage, total number of connectors and total footage of wire. Check the drawings for types and sizes of conduit. On the work sheet list the most common type of conduit first. (In our ex- ample, this is EMT conduit.) Now break down the conduit by size. Start with the smallest size first, as specified in the plans. The smallest conduit used on this job is 1/2 inch. For larger conduit check the Single Line, shown on Sheet: Ell. Larger conduits are usually used for panelboard feeders. Measure conduit runs with a rotometer or a map measure. Note the plan scale. Here, the seale is 1/8 inch equals 12 inches. Begin with the first plan drawing, in this ex- ample, Sheet E3. Start by measuring the 1/2inch EMT conduit containing two No. 12 wires. Measure and mark all conduit lines in the drawing containing 2 wires. As each length of conduit is measured between fixtures, boxes or devices, count the 1/2-inch EMT connectors. ‘Use a counting device to make an accurate count. When you've measured and marked all of the 1/2-inch EMT conduit with two No. 12 wires, record the total conduit footage, number of connectors and the total footage of wire on the work sheet. The wire should be at least dou- ble the conduit length. Allow extra wire for connections in fixtures, junction boxes, devices and panelboards. List the wire on a separate work sheet. In the sample it is on Work Sheet Number 6. When measuring conduit from a ceiling: