Underground pricing

[-=PEAKABOO=-]

Just curious of what some of you guys charge for running under ground? One I am looking at in particular is 2 runs of 3 1/2". Fairly soft soil with 90's on each end (schedule 40 PVC) with four 350MCM's in each conduit.
just curious. I am trying to put a bid together on a church.

Thanks

 

[Brian J.]

You'll want to get a price from an excavation contractor for all of your ditch work. You'll also want to have your wholesale suppliers give you quotes on all of that wire and PVC. Make sure you read the specs, check for special grounding requirements, do your ells need to be in rigid or can they be in pvc? Does this need to be encased in concrete or is sand sufficient? Do a site walk before you sign on the dotted line.

 

[dduffee260]

How long is the run? How far up the pole? Are you terminating into a CT enclosure? There are alot of variables you left out.

The old school method I used years ago was to get a price on all the materials and mark it up 125% to cover labor. Like if your materials cost was $10,000, the bid price would be $22,500 for labor, profit and everything. The add in the price for a backhoe and compaction. That was back when 500 kcmil copper was $3.50 a foot. Now though since wire has went up so much that may not be right.

Now I use an estimating program to do all feeder runs and it works like a champ. You just need to be sure and check the wire prices to make sure they are accurate. Also see about including a commodities clause in your bid. If you bid it today and they take 2 months to award you a contract, why should you take the loss in a copper increase because they could not make up their mind. Good luck !!