Electrical estimating services price the Division 26 package from the service entrance through the last device plate. You send the plan set, the specification book, and any gear quotes you already hold. We take off service and distribution gear, feeder raceway and conductors, branch wiring, lighting, controls, devices, and the grounding that ties it all together.
- Deliverable
- Excel estimate + marked-up PDF plans
- Organized by
- CSI MasterFormat section
- Turnaround
- 24–48 hours for most projects
- Pricing
- ZIP-code-adjusted material and labor pricing
- Software
- Bluebeam Revu, PlanSwift, RSMeans data
You need this when a bid date is close and your in-house estimator is on another job, when a supply-house quote covers gear but not the labor to set it, or when you are a GC carrying the electrical scope on a design-build narrative with no electrical drawings yet. We organize the takeoff by CSI MasterFormat section — 26 05 19 conductors, 26 05 33 raceways and boxes, 26 24 16 panelboards, 26 51 00 interior lighting, 26 27 26 wiring devices — so you can drop the lines straight into a bid form. Our electrical estimator reads the single line diagram for feeder sizes and the voltage drop notes before pricing a single conduit fitting, and we flag every addendum and RFI item that changes quantity.
This page sits under MEP Estimating Services alongside Mechanical Estimating Services and Piping Estimating Services. If your package includes structured cabling or fire alarm, those stay with Telecom & Structured Cabling Estimating and Division 28 respectively, but we sleeve and rough-in the conduit for them here. For projects in specific states, see our Texas estimating and California estimating pages for local code and labor notes. Ready to send plans? Get an estimate.
What the electrical quantity takeoff covers
The scope follows the electrical drawings and Division 26 spec sections. We take off raceway and wire by trade size and pull length, count fixtures and devices from the schedules, and price gear from the one-line and panel schedules. Where the design is narrative only, we build a budget from square-foot loads and typical densities, then flag the assumptions.
Service Entrance
Transformer, CT cabinet, main switchboard, service conductors, ground ring, and concrete pads.
EA · LF · CYDistribution Gear
Switchboards, panelboards, MCCs, safety switches, and feeder breakers by frame size.
EA · AICFeeder Raceway
EMT, IMC, RGS, PVC-coated rigid, and aluminum or copper conductors by size and insulation.
LF · EABranch Wiring
Homeruns, junction boxes, conduit fill, and device rough-in counted per room and circuit.
LF · EA · SFInterior Lighting
Troffers, high-bays, downlights, strip fixtures, emergency and exit units with lamps and drivers.
EA · LFLighting Controls
Occupancy sensors, daylight harvesting, dimming panels, relay panels, and control wiring.
EA · LFWiring Devices
Receptacles by NEMA configuration, switches, floor boxes, poke-throughs, and plates.
EAGrounding & Bonding
Ground rods, exothermic welds, isolated ground receptacles, and bonding jumpers.
EA · LFWhat every electrical estimating takeoff includes
- Service entrance: transformer, CT cabinet, main switchboard, service conductors, ground ring
- Distribution gear: switchboards, panelboards, MCCs, safety switches, feeder breakers by frame
- Feeder raceway: EMT, IMC, RGS, PVC-coated rigid, aluminum and copper conductors by size
- Branch wiring: homeruns, junction boxes, conduit fill, device rough-in per room
- Interior lighting: troffers, high-bays, downlights, strip fixtures, emergency and exit units
- Lighting controls: occupancy sensors, daylight harvesting, dimming panels, relay panels
- Wiring devices: receptacles by NEMA config, switches, floor boxes, poke-throughs, plates
- Grounding and bonding: ground rods, exothermic welds, isolated ground receptacles
- Low-voltage rough-in: conduit sleeves, back boxes, pull strings for Division 27 and 28
- Equipment pads, housekeeping pads, cast-in-place duct banks with rebar and spacers
- Temporary power: distribution, spider boxes, feeder, and construction lighting
- Generators, ATS, UPS: equipment, annunciators, fuel connections, load-bank testing
How our electrical estimator takes off a bid package
- Set up the one-lineWe open the electrical one-line and panel schedules first. Every feeder is traced from the source breaker to the downstream gear, and we record the frame size, trip rating, and conductor size. This becomes the backbone of the takeoff and catches feeders that appear on the riser but not in the panel schedule.
- Measure raceway and wireUsing Bluebeam Revu and PlanSwift, we measure conduit runs by trade size along the plan, adding 10% for vertical drops and terminations. Conductor length is raceway length plus slack at each pull point. We apply derating when more than three current-carrying conductors share a raceway, which changes wire size and conduit trade size.
- Count fixtures and devicesWe count lighting fixtures from the reflected ceiling plan and cross-check against the fixture schedule for wattage and lumen output. Devices are counted by room from the power plan: receptacles by NEMA configuration, switches by type, floor boxes and poke-throughs by location. Discrepancies between plan and schedule are logged.
- Price gear and materialGear is priced from current quotes or RSMeans data adjusted to the project ZIP code. Material pricing includes sales tax treatment for the project state. We separate furnished-by-owner items from contractor-furnished so the bid form stays clean. Long-lead gear is flagged with the lead time stated in the quote.
- Apply labor and markupsLabor hours are built by task: conduit per LF by trade size, wire pulling per MBF, fixture installation per EA, gear setting per section. We use crew-day rates for testing and commissioning. Markups for overhead and profit are shown as separate lines so you can adjust them to your own structure.
- Review and deliverA second estimator checks the takeoff against the spec book for scope gaps: fire-rated wiring methods, seismic bracing, arc-flash labeling, and temporary power. The final file is organized by CSI MasterFormat division with marked-up plan sets showing what was measured. Turnaround is 24–48 hours for most projects.
What we need from you
- Plan setElectrical plans, one-line diagram, panel schedules, and reflected ceiling plan. PDF is fine; native files help if you have them.
- Spec bookDivision 26 sections plus Division 27 and 28 if we are sleeving for them. We need the wiring methods and testing requirements.
- Bid formThe form you are pricing into, so we can match line items and units. If there is no form, we use our standard CSI breakdown.
- Gear quotesAny switchgear or panel quotes you already hold. If you have none, we price from RSMeans data and note the assumptions.
- Project ZIP codeFor material and labor pricing adjusted to the local market. State and county affect sales tax and labor rates.
- Scope notesWhat you are including and excluding: temporary power, fire alarm, low-voltage rough-in, cutting and patching.
Sample Division 26 electrical material takeoff format
This is the format you receive. Quantities are illustrative for a mid-size commercial project. Every line carries a sheet reference so you can trace it back to the drawing.
| Section | Line item | Qty | Unit | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 24 16 | Panelboard 42-circuit 208/120V, 225A main breaker | 12 | EA | E-201 |
| 26 05 33 | EMT conduit 3 in, feeder to switchboard | 2,400 | LF | E-101 |
| 26 05 19 | THHN copper conductor 500 kcmil, 4 per feeder | 9,600 | LF | E-101 |
| 26 51 00 | LED troffer 2x4, 40W, 4000K, recessed | 380 | EA | E-301 |
| 26 27 26 | Duplex receptacle 20A 125V, NEMA 5-20R | 620 | EA | E-401 |
| 26 05 26 | Ground rod 3/4 in × 10 ft, copper-clad | 24 | EA | E-102 |
| 26 09 23 | Occupancy sensor, ceiling mount, 360° | 85 | EA | E-302 |
| 26 05 33 | Junction box 4-11/16 in square, 2-1/8 in deep | 150 | EA | E-401 |
| 26 05 19 | THHN copper conductor 12 AWG, branch | 12,500 | LF | E-401 |
| 26 05 33 | EMT conduit 3/4 in, branch | 4,200 | LF | E-401 |
| 26 27 26 | Floor box, 4-gang, with cover plate | 18 | EA | E-401 |
| 26 51 00 | LED high-bay, 150W, 5000K | 45 | EA | E-302 |
Units of measure we price in
Electrical quantities convert between counts, lengths, and weights. The unit you see on the bid form is not always the unit we take off, so we keep both.
| Item | Unit | How it's measured |
|---|---|---|
| Fixtures, devices, panels, transformers, generators, disconnects | EA | Counted from the schedule or plan symbol, one each |
| Conduit and raceway by trade size, feeder and branch conductors | LF | Measured along the run centerline, plus vertical drops and terminations |
| Concrete encasement for duct banks, equipment pads | CY | Length × width × depth ÷ 27, with rebar and spacers separate |
| Conductor pulls by size and length | MBF | Thousands of feet of conductor, priced by size and pull difficulty |
| Floor area for lighting power density checks | SQ FT | Gross floor area from the architectural plans, used to validate W/SF |
| Grounding electrodes, ground rods, exothermic connections | LB | Weight of copper conductor and rod, plus count of connections |
| Testing, commissioning, terminations, gear setting | HR | Crew-hours by task, loaded with the applicable labor rate |
| Permits, engineering, temporary power, arc-flash study | LS | Lump sum for scope that is not measured by length or count |
Worked example: branch circuit takeoff for a small office fit-out
This example shows how we take off a single branch circuit from a power plan. The dimensions and quantities are illustrative.
Given: A 1,200 sq ft open office with 12 duplex receptacles on one 20A circuit. The homerun panel is 60 ft away along the corridor. Receptacles are mounted 18 in. AFF. The ceiling is 9 ft. Conduit is 3/4 in. EMT, and conductors are 12 AWG THHN.
Step 1 – Measure the homerun. From panel to first device: 60 ft horizontal + 9 ft vertical drop at panel + 1.5 ft drop to device height = 70.5 ft. Round to 71 ft.
Step 2 – Measure the branch run. The circuit daisy-chains through 12 devices. Average spacing between devices is 8 ft. Total horizontal between devices = 11 × 8 = 88 ft. Add 1.5 ft vertical drop per device = 12 × 1.5 = 18 ft. Total branch = 106 ft.
Step 3 – Total conduit length. 71 + 106 = 177 ft. Add 10% for waste and terminations = 17.7 ft. Order quantity: 195 ft.
Step 4 – Conductor length. Each raceway segment carries 3 current-carrying conductors (hot, neutral, ground). Homerun: 71 ft × 3 = 213 ft. Branch: 106 ft × 3 = 318 ft. Total = 531 ft. Add 10% slack at pull points = 53 ft. Order quantity: 584 ft.
Step 5 – Boxes and fittings. One junction box per device: 12. One box at panel: 1. Total = 13. Add 5% waste = 14 boxes. Connectors: 2 per box = 28. Couplings: 1 per 10 ft of conduit = 20. Straps: 1 per 5 ft = 39.
Step 6 – Devices and plates. 12 duplex receptacles (NEMA 5-20R). 12 wall plates. 1 blank plate at panel.
Step 7 – Labor hours. Conduit installation: 0.08 hr/LF × 195 LF = 15.6 hr. Wire pulling: 0.015 hr/LF × 584 LF = 8.8 hr. Device termination: 0.25 hr/device × 12 = 3.0 hr. Box mounting: 0.1 hr/box × 14 = 1.4 hr. Total labor: 28.8 hr.
Step 8 – Apply pricing. Material cost = sum of conduit, wire, boxes, devices, and fittings at ZIP-adjusted prices. Labor cost = 28.8 hr × loaded rate. Add overhead and profit as separate lines.
The takeoff is logged by CSI section: 26 05 33 for raceway and boxes, 26 05 19 for conductors, 26 27 26 for wiring devices. The marked-up plan shows the measured route and device locations.
What drives the electrical construction estimating number
Relative impact on a typical estimate for this trade, based on estimator judgment. Select a bar for details.
Gear pricing
Switchboard bus rating, breaker frame size, and enclosure type (NEMA 1 vs. NEMA 3R) move the price more than any other line. A 2000A switchboard with 100% rated breakers can cost several times a 1200A panelboard. Lead times for gear often exceed the construction schedule, so we flag them early.
Switchboard bus rating, breaker frame size, and enclosure type (NEMA 1 vs. NEMA 3R) move the price more than any other line. A 2000A switchboard with 100% rated breakers can cost several times a 1200A panelboard. Lead times for gear often exceed the construction schedule, so we flag them early.
Installed cost per LF varies by method: EMT is cheapest, IMC and RGS cost more in material and labor, PVC-coated rigid is specified in corrosive areas. Aluminum conductors cost less than copper but require different terminations and sometimes larger conduit. MC cable can replace conduit and wire in some occupancies.
When more than three current-carrying conductors share a raceway, ampacity is derated per NEC Table 310.15(C)(1). This can force a larger wire size or a second raceway, changing both material and labor. We check fill and derating on every homerun and feeder.
Fixture wattage and lumen output drive the lighting power density check against IECC or ASHRAE 90.1. Controls scope — occupancy sensors, daylight harvesting, networked panels — adds devices, wiring, and commissioning hours. A spec that requires owner training adds labor beyond installation.
High-seismic jurisdictions require bracing and supports for conduit, cable tray, and gear. Underground duct banks need concrete encasement, warning tape, and tracer wire. Temporary power for a long construction period adds distribution, fuel, and maintenance. Each condition is priced as a separate line.
Prevailing wage, union vs. open shop, and local apprenticeship ratios change the loaded labor rate. A project in a major metro area can carry a labor rate 30–50% higher than a rural one. We adjust labor hours by task and apply the ZIP-code-adjusted rate.
Specified testing — megger, continuity, ground resistance, load bank, arc-flash study — adds crew-days and engineer time. Commissioning of lighting controls and generators often requires factory-authorized service, which is priced at premium rates. We list these as separate line items.
If the permanent power is delayed, temporary generators, distribution, and fuel become a significant cost. Phased occupancy may require temporary feeders and panels. We include these if the GC is not carrying them, and flag the assumption.
Scope gaps we catch in electrical bid preparation
Electrical bids are lost on the lines nobody priced. These are the gaps we look for in every plan set and spec book.
- Fire-rated and plenum-rated wiring methods are often buried in the architectural wall assemblies or the mechanical spec, not Division 26. We read those sections and add the required wiring method and firestopping.
- Seismic bracing for conduit, cable tray, and gear appears in the structural general notes. We add supports, anchors, and flexible connections where the jurisdiction requires them.
- Lighting control commissioning, network wiring, and owner training are specified in 26 09 23 but not shown on the plan. We add the labor hours and the control wiring.
- Underground duct bank depth, concrete encasement, warning tape, and tracer wire are detailed on the civil sheets. We take them off and price the concrete and excavation separately.
- Coordination with mechanical and plumbing for motor connections, disconnects, and VFD feeders is shown on the mechanical plans. We trace those feeders back to the electrical source and include them.
- Temporary power and lighting for the construction period are usually in Division 01. We add distribution, spider boxes, feeder, fuel, and maintenance if the GC is not carrying them.
- Arc-flash study, short-circuit and coordination study, and labeling are in 26 05 00 but often overlooked. We add them as a lump sum with the engineer's review time.
- Grounding and bonding for separately derived systems, such as transformers and generators, is often shown on the one-line but not detailed. We add ground rings, exothermic connections, and isolated ground receptacles.
- Surge protective devices (SPDs) at service and panel locations are specified in 26 05 00 but easily missed. We add them as separate line items with the required kA rating.
- Fire pump power feeders and controllers, even though Division 21, require electrical coordination from the service. We include the feeder and disconnect if shown on the electrical plans.
- Elevator power feeders, disconnects, and shunt trips are often shown on the elevator plans but not the electrical. We trace them and include the electrical portion.
- Photovoltaic system interconnection, rapid shutdown, and labeling are in Division 48 but require electrical gear and conductors. We add the electrical scope if the PV contractor is not carrying it.
Raceway and wiring methods: installed cost comparison
The raceway and conductor you choose changes material cost, labor hours, and code compliance. This table compares common methods on the axes that move the number.
| Method | Typical installed cost per LF | Labor hours per LF | Code limitations and where specified |
|---|---|---|---|
| EMT with copper THHN | Lowest | 0.06–0.10 | Indoors, dry locations. Not for corrosive or wet areas. Most common for branch and feeder. |
| IMC with copper THHN | Moderate | 0.08–0.12 | Indoors and outdoors. Thicker wall than EMT. Specified for exposed exterior runs. |
| RGS with copper THHN | High | 0.10–0.15 | Indoors and outdoors, corrosive areas. Required for some service entrances and hazardous locations. |
| PVC-coated rigid with copper THHN | Highest | 0.12–0.18 | Corrosive environments, wastewater plants. Requires special tools and touch-up. |
| EMT with aluminum THHN | Lower than copper | 0.07–0.11 | Indoors, dry. Aluminum terminations require anti-oxidant and larger conduit. Not for all terminations. |
| MC cable with copper conductors | Moderate | 0.04–0.07 | Indoors, dry. Not for exposed or wet locations. Faster than conduit and wire in some occupancies. |
| PVC conduit with copper THHN | Low material | 0.09–0.14 | Underground and wet locations. Requires concrete encasement in some depths. Not for exposed indoor. |
Codes, standards, and spec sections that affect quantities
Electrical quantities are driven by the adopted code edition and the project spec. The National Electrical Code (NEC) is the base document, but the edition adopted varies by state and local jurisdiction. You must confirm the adopted edition with the local building department. Key sections that change takeoff quantities include:
- NEC Article 220 – Branch-circuit and feeder calculations. Load calculations determine panel and feeder sizing, which affects gear and conductor quantities.
- NEC Article 250 – Grounding and bonding. Grounding electrode system requirements, including ground rings and rods, are often shown on the one-line but not detailed.
- NEC Article 300 – Wiring methods. Raceway fill, derating, and support spacing change conduit and wire quantities.
- NEC Article 310 – Conductors for general wiring. Ampacity tables and derating for more than three current-carrying conductors in a raceway.
- NEC Article 408 – Switchboards and panelboards. Working space and dedicated equipment space requirements can affect gear layout and room size.
- NEC Article 700, 701, 702 – Emergency, legally required, and optional standby systems. These drive generator, ATS, and separate feeder quantities.
- NEC Article 517 – Health care facilities. Isolated ground and redundant grounding requirements add material and labor.
- NEC Article 690 – Solar photovoltaic systems. Rapid shutdown and labeling requirements add electrical gear and conductors.
- NFPA 70E – Electrical safety in the workplace. Arc-flash study and labeling are often specified and priced separately.
- NFPA 110 – Emergency and standby power systems. Generator testing and load bank requirements add commissioning hours.
- IECC and ASHRAE 90.1 – Lighting power density and controls. These determine fixture wattage limits and control device quantities.
- Local amendments – Many jurisdictions adopt amendments that exceed the NEC, such as seismic bracing requirements or additional grounding. Always verify with the local building department.
The project spec book, Division 26, will also reference these standards and add project-specific requirements. We read the spec to capture testing, labeling, and commissioning that are not shown on the plans.
Who uses this electrical estimate for contractors
Electrical contractors
You need a second set of eyes on a bid or a takeoff when your estimator is overloaded. The Division 26 breakdown drops into your bid form, and the marked-up plan set shows exactly what was measured so you can adjust.
General contractors
You are carrying the electrical scope on a design-build job or checking a subcontractor's quote. The takeoff gives you a line-by-line basis to compare bids and identify scope that was excluded.
Developers and owners
You need a budget before design is complete. We build a square-foot electrical budget from typical densities and flag the assumptions, so you can carry a defensible number into pro forma.
Architects and engineers
You want a cost check on your electrical design before bid. The takeoff validates lighting power density, gear sizing, and raceway quantities against your drawings and spec.