Estimating Wire

[dennisdyl]

Does anyone have an estimate the average number of feet of wire installed
in a average four bedroom, two story home.

 

[stickboy1375]

I dont think there is an average size bedroom...

 

[mdshunk]

The average home does not exist. I show up with a certain amount of material for a home that generally matches your description, but more or less of it might be used.

 

[brian john]

Average home? In a recent news story on Fox in Washington DC, newer homes (custom so it not average but very common around here, and I found this interesting), 30% of these newer homes are coming with two master bedrooms, seem the number one reason for this change......Husband snores.

 

[LarryFine]

. . . 30% of these newer homes are coming with two master bedrooms, seem the number one reason for this change......Husband snores.

Hey, we're not the only ones! "They" snore, too!

 

[brian john]

I know they snore but my wife sounds so.... well feminine, where mine sounds like a derailed freight train doing 110 MPH, going over a cliff, loaded with Perdue chickens (well maybe Rockingham's). When I camp my friends make me set up away from their locations, But I get 1st choice of spots.

But back to the original question. When you bid a house and then get the job, do you look at the plans or house and say I need so much 14, so much 12 or do you just buy a few rolls and start pulling till you need more?

 

[ptonsparky]

I use 21' per opening with a percentage breakout for each size. Last estimated home broke down to use of:
592' of 14/2g
969' of 14/3g
2576' of 12/2g

All other sizes were estimated via blue print. I did not get the bid. This used to be fairly accurate when I was doing them. Your help may string his wire differently. Houses have gotten a lot larger with ceilings that require scaffolding or a lift to reach. You may not want to use as much #12 and may not install as many 3 & 4 way switches as I use. As stated there is no average home, unless you are doing cookie cutters or tract homes.

 

[hardworkingstiff]

Hey, we're not the only ones! "They" snore, too!

... and wiggle, and bounce, and and and

I moved into a seperate bedroom 3 years ago. Best thing I ever did.:grin:

 

[brian john]

Tom (and others) Then do you buy 1000' rolls?

 

[IllinoisContractor]

Isn't it usually a good idea to know how much wire, boxes, etc. a house will require before you give your customer a price? With the way material prices fluctuate, isn't it a gamble if you don't? Do a lot of contractors just shoot from the hip when putting together an estimate?

 

[ptonsparky]

Ref 1000' rolls

Depends on what supplers have on hand and who gives best price at time.

 

[ptonsparky]

Wife had bought foam pillow to help with a neck problem. Medication got rid of the neck pain but snoring was horrible. After a short stay at a motel without her pillow, I commented that she did not snore for the entire stay. Pillow is now gone and so is the snoring.

 

[stickboy1375]

House i'm wiring right now, I used this...

2nd Floor.
1500' 14-2
750' 14-3
500' 12-2
250' 14-2-2

1st Floor
2000' 14-2
1000' 14-3
500' 12-2
500' 12-3

I didn't start the basement yet... but thats Mondays project....

 

[Rockyd]

Stickboy,

Silly question, but what is the square foot of the house, and is there a garage, attached involved (how many car).

Am looking for a square foot to house wire per foot, ratio.

Could you ballpark the hour factor your using against the footages per hole average, vs homerun hour factor?

Assuming this not to be a tract home, but not total custom either.

Thanks in advance!

 

[stickboy1375]

Not sure on the actual sq. ft of the house, but in the 3000 range, it's an old farm house with a new addition, complete gut, but still a pain in the butt to wire... can't get here from there scenario.... I have been on the job over a month, but I also did the service, wired the heating system, (Boiler, & Two AHU's.) I'm the only guy on the job also....

 

[Rockyd]

We probably have it a bit easier in the west, as it's not as old as the east. Being from Alaska, we normally don't have houses earlier than 64 (earthquake). First few times working outside was a kick, all kinds of different things in "real world" when it came to older places.

Thanks for information on project. I look at how fast (and sloppy) things got together in the desert, in regard to residential, almost scary. Everyone out here seems to be using current edition of National Electrical Estimator.

 

[Davis9]

On a smaller size spec house(1500-1600 sq ft) I find that 2000' 14-2 1000' 12-2 and 750-1000' 14-3 usually covers the rough. It helps to try and locate the panel near the Kitchen when possible. This is from my experience and everyone else is entitled to their opinion.

Tom

 

[Rockyd]

Be interesting to see after a set amount of houses, roughly same style if the following would be true -

1.25' per foot of house in 14/2

.75' per foot of house in 12/2

.5' per foot of house in 14/3

To help establish reasonable "guestimate" against what they keep in find for a running average for projects, of that nature.

 

[Rockyd]

Bigger house would be less wire per foot, in the total scheme of things.

 

[brian john]

Rocky I was in Anchorage a few years back and the house I was born in still stands.