Cold weather vs Warm for residential rough in

[nizak]

Do any here charge more for residential rough in ( no heat) or the same price regardless of temps?

I bid a few large new builds back in May with the anticipation of rough in starting Mid August first September. GC is now telling me framing to start in November and rough in end of Nov/ First December.

I would any here re adjust price or just let it go?

Thanks

 

[Elect117]

You don't have a location in your profile but are you worried about snow or heavy rain slowing things down?

 

[nizak]

You don't have a location in your profile but are you worried about snow or heavy rain slowing things down?

Northern MI

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Northern MI

Some manufacturers have a caution about handling NM cable below 14°F.
Was doing a rough, a long time ago, using ENT when it came it 10' lengths and took the bundle out of the truck, inside, and dropped it on the concrete floor...it shattered into many many small pieces.

 

[hbiss]

If it were me, I would have a clause in my contract about working below 20 deg F unless heat is provided. I would also include inclement weather and accessibility to the jobsite. I've seen some GCs who expect the subs to plow and shovel a path into the building.

-Hal

 

[ptonsparky]

My last employer did a lot of residential in the late 70's. We went to our designated rough in, then went back to the shop when the cable jacket cracked as it was pulled out of the packs. IDR what we did the rest of the morning, but it wasn't on that project.

 

[nizak]

You don't have a location in your profile but are you worried about snow or heavy rain slowing things down?

Mainly additional labor due to working slower. I’m just not as efficient working at 20 degrees as I am at 60 degrees.

 

[James L]

I think you're beat.

Here in KC, my favorite temps for new construction are low-mid 30s in the morning and highs around 50-55

I can get with it all the way down to about 20 degrees. I love the pace I can keep up when the temps are cold, because my body temperature rises quite a bit as I keep moving.

As already said, the working temperature of the cable is a concern below that.

 

[kwired]

I think you're beat.

Here in KC, my favorite temps for new construction are low-mid 30s in the morning and highs around 50-55

I can get with it all the way down to about 20 degrees. I love the pace I can keep up when the temps are cold, because my body temperature rises quite a bit as I keep moving.

As already said, the working temperature of the cable is a concern below that.

I'm pretty much the same way. Can't take the heat and typically will get more done if it is 50-55. 20 degrees is usually fine for me as well as long as not out in the wind. I may bring a heater if it is going to be that cold but in non insulated building, forget trying to make it any more than 55 degrees you will go through a lot of fuel. If really cold might put a heater in basement and block off stairway to some degree to keep what heat you can down there and either work down there if possible or at least come back there now and then to warm up if needed.

 

[Eddie702]

"National Electrical Estimator" says their book and labor factors are based on good conditions of 50-85 degrees. I am sure other books and software have their own #s.

85 is a little warm for me. I would say 40-80 is good conditions for most.

But with me I would rather be warm than cold. Below 40 I can't do crap now my fingers don't work. Above 80 just slows me down.

Changes with age
I guess

 

[electrofelon]

Ill wire in 10 degrees, no problem. If you're cold, you're not wearing the right clothing.

 

[nizak]

Ill wire in 10 degrees, no problem. If you're cold, you're not wearing the right clothing.

So if you were estimating a new rough in for instance your price would be the same doing it in 10 degrees vs 60 degrees?

 

[Rick 0920]

Here in Florida I might charge a little extra for sunglasses and sunscreen.

 

[electrofelon]

So if you were estimating a new rough in for instance your price would be the same doing it in 10 degrees vs 60 degrees?

Yes. I have never even contemplated the idea of changing price based on temp.

 

[electrofelon]

Come on guys, us electricians already have this reputation as being prima donnas, lets not fuel that by saying its too cold. If I was hiring someone and they complained about it being too cold, I would find someone else who wasnt such a pansy.

 

[JohnE]

New residential - we bring heaters in the winter. Typically 100-125k Kerosene Salamander type heaters. One or two depending on things. Yes it costs about $5/ gallon, but the productivity goes way up. We aren't rouging in 10 - 15 degree weather without heaters. We are in MA, and usually don't need them until mid to late December.

 

[acrwc10]

Hal makes a good point about access to the site. There is only one way I'm shoveling snow, it's when Hell freezes over!

 

[don_resqcapt19]

If I was hiring someone and they complained about it being too cold, I would find someone else who wasnt such a pansy.

But in the real world, productivity does go down when it is too hot or too cold. The actual temperatures that this happens varies from person to person.

 

[acrwc10]

But in the real world, productivity does go down when it is too hot or too cold. The actual temperatures that this happens varies from person to person.

True That!!!!! ten years ago my fingers would go numb, now they have arthritis and they will hurt like hell. (along with every other part of my body)

 

[electrofelon]

New residential - we bring heaters in the winter. Typically 100-125k Kerosene Salamander type heaters. One or two depending on things. Yes it costs about $5/ gallon, but the productivity goes way up. We aren't rouging in 10 - 15 degree weather without heaters. We are in MA, and usually don't need them until mid to late December.

Personally, I hate those jobsite heaters. The noise and fumes drive me crazy. Again I just say if you're cold you're not wearing the right clothing. People need to learn how to dress for the conditions. There are people that live and work in far colder climates than we have here.