Experience with NECA manual estimating

[Fred B]

Got a job much bigger than I'm used to and customer looking for an estimate. Got a handle on the individual components of the job, just much larger ie parallel 500s for 300ft pulls, 400A meter disconnect, relocation of main panel, etc.
Looking at NECA labor tables and was shocked at the time it totalled. What is people's experience with NECA usefulness for estimating? How close to accurate is it?

 

[macmikeman]

I used to think it was overcooked, but as I got older and older it seems a bit under for some reason now.................

 

[Coppersmith]

Everybody always says the numbers are too big and they apply some multiplier like .8 to get something they think is more reasonable. I personally think the numbers are correct and bidding less will be a mistake. YMMV.

ETA: I believe those numbers are based strictly on union workers. Union workers tend to take enough time to make sure things are done with a high degree of quality. This means that non-union workers may work faster at the expense of quality, but still be adequate for the purpose.