commercial electrical work

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I finished installing a cold water heater today. I get $##/hour. How many square feet is the water heater?
[It was maybe 2.5 feet in diameter and it took me a couple of hours.]

A panel is about 6" by 14.5" = 87 square inches = .604 square foot.
A four square box is typical 2 1/8" deep. = .059 square foot.
A #12 THHN wire is about 1/8" diameter or .01 square foot.
Romex is a more complex equation since it can be installed in either a horizontal or vertical orientation. The price can more than double if installed horizontally.

~Peter
 
First welcome to the SNAKE PIT, just stand by and I am sure a few members will help explain sq foot pricing, we just have to wait for our carpenter members to show up.

Electrical estimating is very different, then general building construction, you may of heard the term sq ft thrown around, usually by production wiring labors and general contractors, we can convert a unit price, or assy price, to sq ft after we arrive at an estimated price.
 
i only do sq. ft. pricing on residential; commercial is t&m or unit pricing. and the sq. ft. price changes depending on square footage, ceiling height, construction type, etc. . .
 
Since commercial has limited required electrical, I think it would be very hard to give a fair sq ft price. I always gave a unit price or T&M.
 
First answer would be -

How much money do you have?

The real answer is unit pricing and assembly pricing. Our price is determined by each piece of material with some kind of labor attached to it...with varying conditions (% multiplyer). Unknown gigs are best done on T & M.

Commercial and industrial, are never the same. After a few years of doing the same types of projects, you might have a good idea what it costs, but nothing beats an accurate takeoff.

Oh ya, Welcome to the forum!
 
Rockyd said:
but nothing beats an accurate takeoff.
Click to expand...
Exactly
Every project is different. To many unknowns to bid by the square ft.
No matter if I am bidding a res. or comm. project I always do a takeoff so I know what material is going to be needed.
 
Well thanks guys i agree there could be as much electrical work in 500 square feet as 1500 square feet. Im tired of being asked to price a job in that manner.
 
commercial electrical work

I have never heard of pricing commercial work by sq ft. Love everyones answers. How much experence do you have? Good Luck? You asking other electricians there price ! It would be easier to thread a camel through the eye of a needle. Don't know why we are like this but I personally charge about $3.78 to $4.25 a sq for residential work. But it is best to bid all jobs by what goes in. The sq ft method is just a short cut that will get you in trouble if you are not careful. All jobs are different so there are no set prices. That why electricians don't share prices because every job is different. It takes time and experince. The best advice I can give is to get a material list and check with the supply house before you bid the job. Welcome to this site , all the members will help you as much as they can some times they will even make you laugh. Semper Fi. Buddy
 
Another place to look for pricing on assy., unit and square ft pricing is to buy the RS Means book and CD. Has a lot of great info in it.
 
Labor pricing

Labor pricing

Cost for union journeyman is in between 75 and 80 per hour with benefits in my area about 45 per hour in the check plus bennies. oh by the way did I tell you the contract runs out at midnight tonight???????????? Good luck with that bid. you figure overhead and profit usually 15 and 10
 
You might get better answers if you ask for "unit pricing and assembly pricing". Which is determined by each piece of material with some kind of labor attached to it...with varying conditions (% multiplyer). For example
20 Amps Receptacle-MC cable 30' max - 10' ceiling.....$125
20 Amps Receptacle - 1/2" EMT 30' max - 10' ceiling.....$180
 
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