Pricing High Bay T5 installation

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sfav8r

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We are placing a bid on a type of installation we normally don't do. I was hoping for some input from those who do more of this type of work.

We will be installing 36 high bay T5 light in a facility with 20' ceilings. The existing fixtures are incandescent pendant lights suspended from a 2' conduit. There is a round box on the ceiling above each fixture. We will need to remove the old fixture and the conduit drop, install a whip from the ceiling box and install the fixture. We would rent a lift for the job. My though was that a big enough lift to hold all the materials for a single row would make sense so the guys aren't up and down all day. I'm curious how long this should take and whether or not you would have two guys in the lift or one on the ground to open boxes, pre install whips, etc.

Any thoughts on the most efficient way and what the time should be? The floor is level concrete and all lights are easily accessible with the lift.
 
sfav8r said:
We are placing a bid on a type of installation we normally don't do. I was hoping for some input from those who do more of this type of work.

We will be installing 36 high bay T5 light in a facility with 20' ceilings. The existing fixtures are incandescent pendant lights suspended from a 2' conduit. There is a round box on the ceiling above each fixture. We will need to remove the old fixture and the conduit drop, install a whip from the ceiling box and install the fixture. We would rent a lift for the job. My though was that a big enough lift to hold all the materials for a single row would make sense so the guys aren't up and down all day. I'm curious how long this should take and whether or not you would have two guys in the lift or one on the ground to open boxes, pre install whips, etc.

Any thoughts on the most efficient way and what the time should be? The floor is level concrete and all lights are easily accessible with the lift.
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Im doing a job very much like that right now but Im on T/M....However I would like to warn you to be cautious of access over equipment and any employees that might slow you down.....as for mine, its been terrible, I would say its taken three times as long if it were a bare whse.....they first wanted me to bid it...and they had another bid, but I offered them a T/M deal that was good for both of us.......So anyway have a contingency for interuptions and for proper job access...
 
Mule said:
Im doing a job very much like that right now but Im on T/M....However I would like to warn you to be cautious of access over equipment and any employees that might slow you down.....as for mine, its been terrible, I would say its taken three times as long if it were a bare whse.....they first wanted me to bid it...and they had another bid, but I offered them a T/M deal that was good for both of us.......So anyway have a contingency for interuptions and for proper job access...
Click to expand...

Just out of curiosity, how long is it taking per fixture? We are fortunate that the space is vacent at this time.
 
sfav8r said:
Just out of curiosity, how long is it taking per fixture? We are fortunate that the space is vacent at this time.
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It would be impossible to give you a figure because I stop and go, pull off and work over here, then over there......as Im doing multiple projects depending on access limitations....

I will tell you.....I prep the fixtures on the ground...install the whip, TW plug...chains... In truth Im extending circuits not installing new ones....but the original installation was "thrown in" ....They laid the EMT right in the crotch of the V on the trusses....there's hardly a strap, beam clamp to be seen anywhere....I would say if your in a empty building the conduit and wire should go pretty quick......its really pretty easy, repetitive work in a lift...

You should be able to get the labor units from actual estimating data....
 
put as much together on ground as you can. With a helper on ground and a helper on lift. You might get 20 up in a long day. Lifts are not cheap so try to get finished in a day.
 
Are we talking T5 fluorescents?

What are the dimensions of the fixtures?

Is the floor clear where you will be working clear of furniture, tools, lumber, other workers (including other trades), etc.?

The floor is level but is the ceiling? What is the ceiling made of?

Will you be using chain to hang these fixtures?

How high off the floor will they be installed?

If fluorescent, will they be chased together or installed separate? How far apart?

Will you be needing to install an additional switch leg or anything for title 24? Don't answer this question if it doesn't apply to this job for reasons not worth mentioning here.
 
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ike5547 said:
Are we talking T5 fluorescents?

What are the dimensions of the fixtures?

Is the floor clear where you will be working clear of furniture, tools, lumber, other workers (including other trades), etc.?

The floor is level but is the ceiling? What is the ceiling made of?

Will you be using chain to hang these fixtures?

How high off the floor will they be installed?

If fluorescent, will they be chased together or installed separate? How far apart?

Will you be needing to install an additional switch leg or anything for title 24? Don't answer this question if it doesn't apply to this job for reasons not worth mentioning here.
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The fixtures are 13" x 48"
The floor is level concrete and the warehouse is empty
The ceiling is wood (modified a-frame)
The lights will be hung approx 2' below ceiling. We were planning on chain but it doesn't have to be that way.
They will be installed separately and no additional switching is required.

Thanks
 
I'm thinking at least 2 man hours (1 for the journeyman and 1 for the help) per fixture including removing the old ones but not hauling them away. It may very well take less time, but that's how I would probably look at it. Assuming the lift.

No doubt someone would under bid me.
 
ike5547 said:
I'm thinking at least 2 man hours (1 for the journeyman and 1 for the help) per fixture including removing the old ones but not hauling them away. It may very well take less time, but that's how I would probably look at it. Assuming the lift.

No doubt someone would under bid me.
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I agree. That number allows for the true time involved in the job. High work always takes longer then you think.:smile:
 
1 hour each is rather high. It will cover you or they need fired. I would hope they could do 2 per hour but would figure on second helper on ground. Lot depends on your men. Also some lifts are slow as h---. If you price it as suggested you likely will not win if others bid. I truely believe 3 men could get it done in 1 long day. If you dont have a 3rd man then hire from labor pool. For something as easy as this unskilled should be able to do the floor work. 1 day rental on lift instead of 2 easily pays for the 3rd man. I would ask for the lift at 9 am ,this gives you time to prep everything. And this lets you wait till 9 am to call the lift off.
 
Jim W in Tampa said:
1 hour each is rather high. It will cover you or they need fired. I would hope they could do 2 per hour but would figure on second helper on ground. Lot depends on your men. Also some lifts are slow as h---. If you price it as suggested you likely will not win if others bid. I truely believe 3 men could get it done in 1 long day. If you dont have a 3rd man then hire from labor pool. For something as easy as this unskilled should be able to do the floor work. 1 day rental on lift instead of 2 easily pays for the 3rd man. I would ask for the lift at 9 am ,this gives you time to prep everything. And this lets you wait till 9 am to call the lift off.
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No way. Be realistic here. He has to demo existing and hang and wire 36 new. I'd say you have at least 3 hours in demo alone and then another 9-12 hours hanging and wiring new. I'd say 2 day job all day long.
 
Jim W in Tampa said:
I truely believe 3 men could get it done in 1 long day.
Click to expand...

"Hope springs eternal" is what my boss used to say to me when I presented my optimistic opinions to him. He was right more often than I was.

My boss said a lot of weird stuff like that.
 
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2 guys, 2 days easy. We've done hundreds of these jobs. Get a nice little JLG 1932 lift for about $150/ day plus delivery and pickup. We recently did a similar job in the Titleist factory and 2 guys did about 24 a day working around their operations.

But if you can bid it for more and get it even better.
 
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