Electrical Estimating & Takeoff Services
Electrical quantity takeoffs and priced estimates for electrical contractors and general contractors. Feeders, panels and switchgear, branch circuits, lighting by fixture type, devices, conduit and wire by size, low voltage and fire alarm. Single-trade takeoffs are $150 – $350 with 24–48 hours turnaround.
What Are Electrical Estimating Services?
Electrical estimating services provide itemized quantification of all electrical materials, equipment, and labor hours required to construct an electrical infrastructure project. A good electrical takeoff turns floor plans, riser diagrams and panel schedules into itemized quantities, accounting for conduit vertical drops, wire make-up at boxes and panels, feeder sizes, lighting controls and fire alarm circuits. It is the basis for an electrical bid, and GCs use it to check electrical subcontractor pricing. See also quantity takeoff services and coordinated MEP estimating.
Complete CSI Division 26, 27 & 28 Scope
We quantify distribution, branch power, lighting and low-voltage systems by CSI division:
Common Work Results for Electrical
Raceways, conduits, cable trays, wireways, grounding & bonding systems, and seismic electrical supports.
Instrumentation & Lighting Controls
0-10V dimming panels, occupancy sensors, daylight harvesting photo-cells, and automated relay control systems.
Low-Voltage Transformers
Dry-type isolation transformers, harmonic mitigating transformers, and pad-mounted step-down units.
Switchboards & Panelboards
Main switchboards (MSB), distribution panels (MDP), branch circuit load centers, and feeder busways.
Low-Voltage Distribution Equipment
Heavy-duty enclosed safety disconnect switches, motor starters, VFD line-side connections, and metering.
Interior Lighting Systems
Architectural downlights, LED high bays, suspended linear luminaires, exit signage, and emergency battery units.
Exterior & Site Lighting
Parking lot light poles, concrete pier footings, decorative bollards, floodlights, and underground feeder cabling.
Structured Cabling & Low-Voltage
CAT6A data drops, fiber optic riser backbones, server racks, patch panels, and patch cord terminations.
Fire Detection & Alarm
Addressable FACP, smoke detectors, duct detectors, manual pull stations, horn/strobes, and annunciators.
Interactive preview of our formula-driven, itemized Excel deliverables with NEC makeup buffers:
| Material / Scope Item | Base Qty | Unit | Waste / Lap Factor | Estimator Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/4in EMT Conduit (Branch Circuit Home Runs) | 14,850 | LF | 10% | Includes couplings, 1-hole straps, strut straps & junction boxes |
| #12 AWG THHN Stranded Copper Wire (Phase/Neutral/Ground) | 56,400 | LF | 15% Makeup | Wire makeup length included at all device boxes & panelboard gutters per NEC |
| 12/2 MC Cable (Lighting Drops & Device Feeds) | 8,200 | LF | 8% | Includes anti-short bushings, MC connectors & bridging clips |
| 400A 277/480V 3-Phase 4W Main Distribution Panel (MDP) | 2 | EA | N/A | Includes main breaker, feeder terminations, copper ground bus & surge protective device |
| 75 kVA Dry-Type Step-Down Transformer (480V-208Y/120V) | 4 | EA | N/A | Includes floor-mount vibration isolators, primary/secondary flex connections |
| 2x4 LED Recessed Troffers (0-10V Dimming Driver) | 340 | EA | N/A | Includes safety aircraft cables, seismic clips & low-voltage dimming leads |
| 4-Inch Concrete-Encased 4-Way Underground Duct Bank | 480 | LF | 5% | Includes trenching, PVC spacers, 3000 PSI red concrete encasement & caution tape |
| Addressable Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP) & NAC Extender | 1 | LS | N/A | Includes standby battery load calculations, pull stations & horn/strobes per NFPA 72 |
How do we prepare an electrical takeoff?
Four steps, from drawing review to a checked deliverable. Read more about our review process.
Drawing & Riser Audit
We cross-check single-line riser diagrams against floor plans, equipment schedules, and architectural reflected ceiling plans (RCPs).
Digital QTO Measure
Using PlanSwift & Bluebeam, we trace all home runs, conduit runs, vertical drops, branch circuits, and count all devices.
NEC & Waste Calibration
We add wire make-up at panels and boxes, conduit expansion fittings and stated waste allowances, all listed in the workbook so you can adjust them.
Pricing & Quality Check
For priced estimates we apply localized RSMeans-based cost data or your pricing. The package is reviewed against the drawings before delivery.
What does our electrical takeoff include?
The items below are measured or counted whenever they appear on your drawings. If a system is not shown (for example, a delegated-design fire alarm), we note it in the exclusions instead of guessing. Need the mechanical and plumbing side too? Ask for a combined MEP takeoff.
Service & distribution equipment
- Utility service entrance, CT cabinets and metering
- Main switchgear and switchboards (MSB / MDP)
- Distribution and branch panelboards
- Dry-type and pad-mount transformers
- Safety disconnects, fused switches and motor starters
- Generators, automatic transfer switches and emergency panels
Feeders
- Feeders sized from the one-line riser and panel schedules
- Feeder conduit and conductors by size (e.g. 1-1/4" to 4", #6 to 500 kcmil)
- Busway and bus duct where shown
- Grounding electrode system and equipment grounding
Branch circuits & wiring devices
- Branch circuit home runs from panel schedules
- Receptacles, GFCI/AFCI devices and floor boxes
- Switches, dimmers and occupancy sensors
- Equipment and mechanical connections (RTUs, VFDs, pumps)
- Junction boxes, pull boxes and device boxes
Lighting & controls
- Fixtures counted by type from the lighting schedule
- Emergency and exit fixtures, battery units
- Lighting control panels, relays and 0-10V dimming
- Daylight and occupancy controls
- Site and parking lot lighting, poles and bases
Conduit & wire by size
- EMT, rigid (GRC), IMC and PVC conduit by trade size
- MC cable and flexible conduit
- THHN/THWN conductors by gauge, with make-up allowance
- Fittings, couplings, connectors, straps and supports
- Underground duct banks, trenching and encasement
Low voltage & fire alarm
- Fire alarm control panel, initiating and notification devices
- Structured cabling drops, racks and cable tray
- Access control, CCTV and intercom devices
- Nurse call, paging and AV rough-in where shown
Temporary power & general items
- Temporary power and lighting (when shown or specified)
- Firestopping at electrical penetrations
- Seismic bracing and hangers
- Testing and commissioning allowances (as listed)
Labor units (priced estimates)
- Labor hours per item from standard electrical labor units
- Adjustments for installation height and conditions
- Crew-hour totals by system
- Material pricing from cost data or your supplier quotes
Site lighting bases and duct bank trenching often overlap with sitework and concrete packages, and firestopping with fireproofing. We assign each item to one package so nothing is counted twice. For conduit measuring methods, see our guide on how to estimate electrical conduit.
What will I receive?
- Color-coded PDF markups of every electrical sheet, with a legend by system
- Excel workbook with quantities by system, size and type (CSI Division 26, 27, 28)
- Fixture and device counts matched to schedule tags
- Conduit and wire lengths by size, with make-up and waste allowances stated
- Priced estimates: labor hours, material and equipment cost, and summary
- List of drawings and revisions used, plus assumptions and exclusions
- Scope-gap notes (e.g. missing panel schedules or unpowered mechanical equipment) for RFIs
Want to bid the job with your own pricing? Order quantities only. Need labor and material priced? Ask for a priced estimate. Bidding the whole building as a GC? See construction estimating services.
What files can I send?
- PDF drawing sets (vector PDFs measure fastest)
- Scanned PDFs (we calibrate scale per sheet)
- CAD or Revit files on request
- Specifications, panel schedules and addenda
- Download links (Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive)
What you get back
Excel (.xlsx) workbook and marked-up PDF drawings. Ask if you need another format.
How much and how fast?
Single-trade electrical takeoff: $150 – $350, 24–48 hours.
Electrical within a full commercial estimate: $450 – $1,200, 2–4 business days.
Quotes: a written quote with the fee and delivery date, usually the same business day.
See full pricing & examples →Download Electrical Sample Takeoff
Inspect the actual panel schedules, conduit and branch circuit takeoff Excel workbook and marked-up PDF deliverable.
Electrical Takeoff Sample
Panel & circuit schedule, conduit LF by size, wire LF by gauge, devices, fixtures, labor units
What do contractors ask about electrical estimating?
What is included in an electrical takeoff?
Our electrical takeoffs cover service and distribution (switchgear, switchboards, panelboards, transformers, disconnects), feeders sized from the riser and panel schedules, branch circuits, lighting counted by fixture type, wiring devices, conduit and wire by size and type, low-voltage and fire alarm devices, site lighting and duct banks, and temporary power where it is shown or specified. Priced estimates add labor hours and material pricing.
How much does an electrical takeoff cost?
A single-trade electrical takeoff typically costs $150 – $350 and is delivered in 24–48 hours. Electrical priced as part of a full commercial estimate falls in the commercial preconstruction package ($450 – $1,200). The exact fee is confirmed in a written quote after we see the drawings.
How long does an electrical takeoff take?
Standard turnaround is 24–48 hours for a single trade; 2–5 business days for multi-trade or large projects. Most single-trade electrical takeoffs fall in the 24–48 hours window; very large or multi-building sets are quoted with a specific delivery date.
How do you calculate wire makeup, conduit fill, and vertical drops?
We do not just measure point-to-point on the plan. Vertical drops to device mounting heights, make-up at panels and boxes, and home-run lengths are added to measured runs, and conduit fill is checked against NEC Chapter 9 where circuits share a raceway. The allowances used are listed in the workbook so you can change them.
Do you estimate low-voltage, security, and fire alarm systems?
Yes. We count structured cabling drops and pathways (J-hooks, cable tray), access control, CCTV, and addressable fire alarm initiating and notification devices, panels and annunciators, as shown on the drawings. If fire alarm is a delegated-design item, we note it and quantify what the documents show.
What software do you use for electrical takeoffs?
Takeoffs are measured in PlanSwift and Bluebeam Revu; Trimble Accubid is used for electrical estimating where a client needs it. Deliverables are an editable Excel workbook and color-coded PDF markups.
How do you price electrical labor and material?
Material and labor can be priced with RSMeans-based localized cost data or with your own supplier quotes and labor rates. Labor hours reference standard electrical labor units (such as the NECA Manual of Labor Units) with adjustments for installation height and conditions stated in the estimate.
Can general contractors use your electrical estimates for bid leveling?
Yes. GCs use an independent electrical quantity takeoff as a baseline to check subcontractor bids for missing scope. Our commercial package can include a subcontractor bid-leveling sheet.
Send your electrical drawings for a quote.
You will receive a written quote with the fee and delivery date, usually the same business day. Single-trade electrical takeoffs are $150 – $350, delivered in 24–48 hours.
Project scope and delivery are confirmed in the written quote.
Which related trades and services do electrical contractors use?
Related trades
Services
State requirements that affect this scope
- California — 2025 Title 24 Part 6 energy requirements shape lighting-control and equipment scope.