Wire Estimates

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rsheer

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I am trying to do take offs on 4 different houses and I am looking for a simple but accurate way to estimate romex. Does anyone have a easy simple formula that works?
Sincerely appriciated,
RS
 
rsheer said:
I am trying to do take offs on 4 different houses and I am looking for a simple but accurate way to estimate romex. Does anyone have a easy simple formula that works?
Sincerely appriciated,
RS
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There are "rules of thumb"....but I would use them ONLY for the first order of wire ~ I would not use the rule of thumb(ROT) as part of quote to the customer.

Each of these 4 homes is different ~ how is the lighting/switching?
Recessed cans and multiple switch locations; more than code minimum HRs; etc will kill any "savings" from using a ROT.
 
Yes, they are different in layout but they are base house spec homes that range between 3000 and 3800 square feet. All at min. code.
 
Yes, they plans are different in layout but not by much. They range from 3000 to 3800 sq.ft. and are all at min. code.
 
IMO. The best way is . The, "have done one similar method" .
Their is a term in estimating for what I just quoted.
Also factor in gas appliances including heat.:wink:
 
There is more than one way to wire a house....some guys grab the smokes off bedroom lighting ckts .....some guys use a seperate line for the smokes (as is required by some areas); some areas do not require AFCI protection ~ some do; etc.

What State are you in Rsheer?
 
rsheer said:
I am trying to do take offs on 4 different houses and I am looking for a simple but accurate way to estimate romex. Does anyone have a easy simple formula that works?
Sincerely appriciated,
RS
Click to expand...
roughly 1 foot of wire per square foot of floor space, give or take a few hundred feet.

or maybe it's more like .75 feet of wire per 1 square foot of space.
 
steelersman said:
roughly 1 foot of wire per square foot of floor space, give or take a few hundred feet.

or maybe it's more like .75 feet of wire per 1 square foot of space.
Click to expand...

How does this ROT translate into feet of:
14/2 (general lighting/recept)
14/3 (smokes and 3-ways)
12/2 (small app; bath)
12/3 (MWBC for SA ?)
10/3 (Condensor)

?
 
celtic said:
How does this ROT translate into feet of:
14/2 (general lighting/recept)
14/3 (smokes and 3-ways)
12/2 (small app; bath)
12/3 (MWBC for SA ?)
10/3 (Condensor)

?
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Well I'm not quite sure, but I know that 12/3 isn't necessary and I've never used it in a house or found a good reason to.
 
steelersman said:
what type of box or what location would you split the circuit? 1-12/3 and 2-12/2's? It just seems like more work IMO.
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You just use the 3 wire and alternate devices (all GFI type).
Saves on material (2 less copper conductors, etc)
Saves on time (1 less run to pull, etc)

I think a Carlon B122A is big enough.
 
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steelersman said:
what type of box or what location would you split the circuit? 1-12/3 and 2-12/2's? It just seems like more work IMO.
Click to expand...

A big time/money saver in the larger houses, IMO. Especially when the kitchen is opposite the panel. Cuts the # of 20 amp HRs in ?.

I've also used 14-2-2 for bedroom feeds for the AFCI breakers.
 
celtic said:
You just use the 3 wire and alternate devices (all GFI type).
Saves on material (2 less copper conductors, etc)
Saves on time (1 less run to pull, etc)

I think a Carlon B122A is big enough.
Click to expand...
interesting. So you just use the 3 wire throughout the 2 SA circuits and use and alternate red one first for example then black on the next and red on the next and black on the next and so on? Your still spending more money on wire and 20 cubic inch boxes throughout. But it's a new idea to me so I can appreciate that. I remember I learned the hard way that you can't share a neutral for 2 circuits if 1 of them needs to be gfi protected when I pulled 14/3 homerun to sump pump outlet and 14/2 out of that to the basement/outdoor recepts. gfi circuit.
 
steelersman said:
roughly 1 foot of wire per square foot of floor space, give or take a few hundred feet.

or maybe it's more like .75 feet of wire per 1 square foot of space.
Click to expand...

Thats interesting....The other day, had a guy that just wanted us to do a partial rough in....probably so he could see how to do it???...but any way....we wired a mst bed rm...closet...mst bath...all was probably about 300sq/ft..smaller house..and we used a full box 250ft and didnt have any left for HR's. It included min code, PLUS 6 cans, HVL...bla bla
 
Mule said:
Thats interesting....The other day, had a guy that just wanted us to do a partial rough in....probably so he could see how to do it???...but any way....we wired a mst bed rm...closet...mst bath...all was probably about 300sq/ft..smaller house..and we used a full box 250ft and didnt have any left for HR's. It included min code, PLUS 6 cans, HVL...bla bla
Click to expand...
that seems like alot of wire for such a small space. I just can't imagine it taking a full roll.....oh well.
 
steelersman said:
interesting. So you just use the 3 wire throughout the 2 SA circuits and use and alternate red one first for example then black on the next and red on the next and black on the next and so on? Your still spending more money on wire and 20 cubic inch boxes throughout. But it's a new idea to me so I can appreciate that.
Click to expand...
or....

use the black for the first half, drop to a 12/2 for the second half (on red) and use smaller boxes :smile:

There is more than one way to wire a home.:cool:


steelersman said:
Your still spending more money on wire and 20 cubic inch boxes throughout.
Click to expand...
Are you sure it will be more money?


Assuming:
12/2 - 1000' @ $473.88; with 6 man hours
12/3 - 500' @ $348.50; with 3.5 manhours


Saves you $125.38 on the copper and 2.5 manhours.
That adds up.
The 0.50 cent (or whatever fraction of a dollar) difference in box cost becomes irrelevant.

You might even squeak another $25 - $50 in by dropping to 12/2 mid-way.
 
steelersman said:
that seems like alot of wire for such a small space. I just can't imagine it taking a full roll.....oh well.
Click to expand...

Mst bed rm
Ceiling fan-2 switch legs
4 cans-1 leg
smoke det
7 recepts

Closet
1 light bx and sw leg

Bath
HVL and sw legs
can over tub and sw leg
can over shower and sw leg
lght over vanity and sw leg
lght in ceiling and sw leg
2 recept

It was a two story however and some of the ceiling wiring took longer paths....ie: drilling through wood and the like...yes I was shock'd a bit myself
 
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