estimates

Residential new home estimating is totally different from commercial estimating. The majority of the time there is an incomplete electrical print or no electrical print at all. The more information I can collect from you, the more realistic the estimate will be. An estimate is only as good as the information it is based on. Some information is in fact vital and can make a large impact in the cost of wiring a home.

If your electrician does not ask, or is not aware of all your electrical needs, they can not know what it is going to cost to wire your home! The conventional method of estimating works this way: The electrician will visualize an electrical layout in his head and make scratch marks on your floor plan while mentally counting switches, receptacles, lights, etc. You receive a list of what has been estimated, however you receive nothing to actually show you what has been estimated except a bunch of scratch marks on your floor plan. Maybe, just maybe, the visualization you never see is close to what you want, but how do you know?

Beaman Electrical Blueprint

I prefer to take your floor plan, scan it into a computer, and make an electrical drawing using the information I collect from you, the National Electrical Code, and common sense. I then make my estimate based on this electrical drawing. I provide you with both the electrical drawing and an itemized estimate based on the drawing. This way you can inspect the drawing and estimate for its accuracy to your preferences and equipment. If your examination reveals that I have left out something or have made the layout too elaborate, I can revise the drawing and its estimate.

I am unaware of any other estimator in our area that will offer you this service. Why? It is very time consuming. So, why do I take the extra time and effort? I do not wish to give you an estimate based on averages or cheapest possibilities. I want to give you as accurate an estimate as possible.

Terry Speake

Master Electrician

Residential Division Manager

Some of the information that is vital to an accurate estimate is listed below.

While this list is not all inclusive, it is a good starting point:

1) Service

a) Overhead or Underground --- If underground, distance of underground.

b) Utility Company --- All utility companies have different policies which affect the service size and equipment.

c) Future plans --- Are you planning on a future pool, hot tub, shop building, etc. ?

2) Heat and Air equipment

a) Heat --- Gas, Heat Pump, Dual Fuel, Ground Source, Electric Backup --- Number and Circuit sizes if not Gas.

b) Air Conditioning --- Standard, Heat Pump, Ground Source --- Tonnage and number of compressors.

c) Additional equipment not powered by furnace --- Air Exchanger, Humidifier, Electrostatic Filter, Pumps, etc.

3) Plumbing

a) Water Heater --- Standard Gas, 90+ Gas, Electric --- Number of units.

b) Water Source --- Utility or Private Well.

c) Waste --- Low Pressure Septic System?

d) Recirculation Pump(s).

e) Whirlpool, Hot Tub, Pool, Steam Showers, Saunas, Fountains, etc.

f) Electric Shower Control Units, Electric Flush Toilets, Heated Toilet Seats, etc. --- Don't Laugh.

4) Kitchen Equipment

a) Range, Oven, Cook top, etc. --- Number of Units --- Gas or Electric --- Circuit sizes if Electric.

b) Microwave, Hood, Dishwasher, Disposal, Trash Compactor, Wine Cooler, Heating Drawers, etc.

c) Under Cabinet Lighting, Over Cabinet Lighting, In Cabinet Lighting, etc.

5) Floor Plan

a) Ceilings --- Heights, Vaults, Beams, etc.

b) Walls --- Wood Stud, Metal Stud, ICF, Architectural Block, etc.

c) Floors --- Wood, Concrete Slab.

6) Location

a) Some Cities have local codes that can increase the cost.

7) Your Personal Preferences

a) Recessed Lighting --- Number and Style.

b) Ceiling Fans

c) Outside Lighting

d) Many, Many Other Preferences.