Conduit Estimating

TwoBlocked

TwoBlocked

Senior Member
Location
Bradford County, PA
Occupation
Industrial Electrician
I kinda feel like the hound that would chase cars, and then finally caught one by the bumper. Now that he had it, what's he gonna do with it!

I am in a gas-field shop as the only electrician. The other guys become helpers as needed and available. We are getting more electrical work and had a site walk yesterday where we will be running rigid on a chain-link fence. Should be able to use the existing Kindorf strut. I am looking for manhours for a two man crew per 100 ft of 3/4" rigid conduit including pulling 3 #10 AWG stranded.

But what I also need is suggestions for an electrical estimating handbook, which I will get. NOT interested in a computer program. But for know, we need to get this bid in.
 
If your people are not experienced in running conduit, then you probably need to double the man hours found in whatever labor unit book you use.
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
If your people are not experienced in running conduit, then you probably need to double the man hours found in whatever labor unit book you use.
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Thanks, my helper and are experienced. It's a very simple run, but I'll add some time due to it being ladder work and gravel.

So can anyone give me standard manhours per 100' of 3/4" rigid?
 
I would suggest you visualize the job in your head. Think about how many days it will take two men to do the work. Account for bending, cutting, and threading the GRC. Every job and every crew are a little bit different. I would much rather base my bids on a reasonable projection of the work involved than relying on a suggested cookie-cutter labor quantity.
 
TwoBlocked said:
Thanks, my helper and are experienced. It's a very simple run, but I'll add some time due to it being ladder work and gravel.

So can anyone give me standard manhours per 100' of 3/4" rigid?
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You need a labor unit manual. 100' of 3/4 GRC has a labor unit just for the conduit based on height/difficulty...all straps, fittings, j-boxes, pull string have their own units to be added to the run.
If you had software, you pick the condition, enter 100' and the assembly includes everything.
But my book has 3/4" GRC (just the conduit) is:
(0-6') = .04/ft
(6'-10') = .05/ft
(10'-15') = .06/ft
(15'-20') = .07/ft
 
TwoBlocked said:
I kinda feel like the hound that would chase cars, and then finally caught one by the bumper. Now that he had it, what's he gonna do with it!

I am in a gas-field shop as the only electrician. The other guys become helpers as needed and available. We are getting more electrical work and had a site walk yesterday where we will be running rigid on a chain-link fence. Should be able to use the existing Kindorf strut. I am looking for manhours for a two man crew per 100 ft of 3/4" rigid conduit including pulling 3 #10 AWG stranded.

But what I also need is suggestions for an electrical estimating handbook, which I will get. NOT interested in a computer program. But for know, we need to get this bid in.
Click to expand...
To accurately estimate the manhours for installing 100 feet of 3/4" rigid conduit (GRC) and pulling 3 #10 AWG stranded wire, it is crucial to rely on a detailed understanding of labor units for each aspect of the task. Here is a precise and to-the-point breakdown:

Labor Estimate:

  1. Conduit Installation:
    • Conduit: For 3/4" GRC, labor units per foot are generally:
      • (0-6 feet) = 0.04 hours/foot
      • (6-10 feet) = 0.05 hours/foot
      • (10-15 feet) = 0.06 hours/foot
      • (15-20 feet) = 0.07 hours/foot
      Since you did not specify the exact height, I'll assume an average scenario of 6-10 feet, which is 0.05 hours/foot.
    • For 100 feet: 100 feet * 0.05 hours/foot = 5 hours
  2. Wire Pulling:
    • For pulling 3 #10 AWG stranded wires, the general labor unit is approximately 0.06 hours/foot.
    • For 100 feet: 100 feet * 0.06 hours/foot = 6 hours
  3. Total Manhours for Two-Person Crew:
    • Conduit installation: 5 hours
    • Wire pulling: 6 hours
    • Total: 5 hours + 6 hours = 11 hours
Since it's a two-person crew, the total manhours would be distributed between them:

  • Total manhours = 11 hours / 2 = 5.5 hours per person
Recommendation for Electrical Estimating Handbook: For accurate and detailed labor units, consider using a comprehensive electrical estimating handbook like "National Electrical Estimator" by Craftsman Book Company or "Means Electrical Estimating Handbook" by RSMeans. These handbooks provide detailed labor units for various electrical tasks and are invaluable for manual estimating without relying on software.

To summarize, for a precise estimate, plan for approximately 11 total manhours for a two-person crew to complete the task, assuming average installation conditions. For further accuracy in future estimates, invest in a detailed electrical estimating handbook.
 
Mike Brady said:
Conduit: For 3/4" GRC, labor units per foot are generally
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When you are giving these labor Hrs, does your book provide for the threading and bending inclusive or would that be additional time required. The book I have lists time for those tasks separately as well as connectors and couplers.
 
Surprised it hasn't been said here, but the most comprehensive would be the NECA labor manual. And it has chapters on what to include and how. It is generally high, but can be adjusted.
 
Chatgpt is extremely accurate usually, but has odd quirks sometimes. It's a good baseline. I think it's working off of the NECA numbers directly or indirectly.
The more information you feed it on specifics, the better the estimate.

two-man crew running 3/4" RMC for 100ft along a mostly straight run, supported by an existing chain-link fence with kindorf strut. pulling through this raceway 3x #10awg THHN stranded using two men
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Two-man crew running 3/4" RMC for 100ft along a mostly straight run, supported by an existing chain-link fence with Kindorf strut:
  • Labor: 4 hours (2 hours per person)
Pulling through this raceway 3x #10awg THHN stranded using two men:
  • Labor: 1.5 hours (0.75 hours per person)
Total Labor Hours (for two-man crew): 5.5 hours


the above but exclude "along a mostly straight run"


Two-man crew running 3/4" RMC for 100ft, supported by an existing chain-link fence with Kindorf strut:

  • Labor: 5 hours (2.5 hours per person)
Pulling through this raceway 3x #10awg THHN stranded using two men:

  • Labor: 1.5 hours (0.75 hours per person)
Total Labor Hours (for two-man crew): 6.5 hours

the first one, but all work is off a 6ft ladder

Two-man crew running 3/4" RMC for 100ft along a mostly straight run, supported by an existing chain-link fence with Kindorf strut, all work off a 6ft ladder:

  • Labor: 6 hours (3 hours per person)
Pulling through this raceway 3x #10awg THHN stranded using two men:

  • Labor: 1.5 hours (0.75 hours per person)
Total Labor Hours (for two-man crew): 7.5 hours
 
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