Industrial electrical estimating
We estimate electrical work for plants, warehouses, distribution centres and process expansions in Ontario: 600 V distribution, motor feeds and controls, cable tray, high-bay lighting, heat tracing and equipment connections. Estimates are priced in Accubid Pro, with labour adjusted for heights, lifts and work around production.
What we count and measure
Industrial scopes are driven by equipment and distances. We take both from every discipline's drawings, not only the E-sheets.
| Scope | Counted | Measured |
|---|---|---|
| Distribution | Switchgear, MCCs, transformers, panelboards, disconnects | Feeders by size and wiring method, bus duct |
| Motor feeds | Starters, VFDs, local disconnects, terminations | Power and control conductors to each motor |
| Cable tray and supports | Fittings, drops, hangers, supports | Tray by width and type, cable in tray |
| Lighting | High-bay and task fixtures, controls, emergency | Branch circuits at working height |
| Mechanical connections | Equipment from the mechanical schedules | Feeds and flexible connections |
| Heat tracing | Controllers, power connection kits, end seals | Heat trace cable by pipe run |
| Grounding and bonding | Ground rods, bonding connections, test wells | Grounding conductors and grid |
Where industrial labour goes wrong
Material in an industrial estimate is usually easy to count. The risk is in labour, and in the scope that sits between trades.
Heights, lifts and access
Tray at 9 m, fixtures in a 12 m warehouse and conduit over running equipment all take longer than the same work at 3 m. We apply height and access factors by area, from the sections and elevations, and list them so you can match them to your own experience.
Shutdown windows and production
Tie-ins to existing distribution often have to fit a weekend shutdown. Tell us the windows and access limits, or where they are in the documents, and we price the overtime and crew size they force.
Mechanical control wiring and heat tracing
Control wiring for mechanical and process equipment is sometimes in Division 26, sometimes in Division 23, and sometimes split between them. We read both, state which we carried, and raise an RFI where the documents contradict each other. Heat trace circuits are taken off by pipe run from the mechanical drawings.
Hazardous locations
Where an area classification is shown, we price the wiring methods, seals and fittings it requires. If process equipment suggests a classification the drawings do not show, we raise it before you bid.
Industrial questions
Do you estimate hazardous location electrical work?
Yes, when the area classification is shown in the documents. We price the wiring methods, seals and fittings the classification requires, and raise an RFI if a classification is missing where process equipment suggests one.
Can the estimate account for shutdown windows and work around production?
Yes. Tell us the shutdown windows and access limits, or point us to them in the documents. We adjust labour for compressed schedules, overtime and restricted access and list those adjustments separately.
Send the drawings. Get a fixed price within one working hour.
Tell us your bid closing. If we cannot meet it, we say so before any work starts. And if the general contractor later questions your price, we defend it with you.