I have been estimating water and wastewater for over 30 years. Almost every one of those projects has specified 316 stainless steel for hardware (nuts, bolts, screws) and supporting materials. Last week, for the very first time, I read a specification that required 304 stainless steel for supports and hardware. I did not know the difference between the two, so it was time for some research.

It turned out 316, because of the addition of molybdenum, is resistant to more types of corrosive conditions than 304. The 316 is also significantly more expensive than 304. By taking the time to learn about the price difference, I was able to warn my customer to make sure the vendors were quoting him prices for 304 stainless steel.

Knowing it all

If you find something on the plans or in the specifications you don’t know, you should not proceed with the estimate without researching the item. I was taught this early in my career, before I became an estimator.

My first knowledge challenge was while I was working on the will-call counter at an electrical wholesale house. A customer came in and asked for a particular type of conduit adapter. I assured him there was no such thing, because of course, I knew everything at that age. Twenty minutes later, he returned and put one on the counter.

Lesson learned: don’t assume you know everything.

I remember my first knowledge challenge as an estimator while bidding for the renovation of the South Pasadena Library. One of the fixtures was a large custom wood chandelier. There were four, which were listed only as to-be-refurbished by a local company. I don’t remember the exact weight, but it was several hundred pounds.

My first interpretation was that they would be refurbished while remaining in place. Fortunately, I decided to confirm the scope, which actually required the fixtures to be removed and delivered to the refurbishing company. After they finished with the fixtures, we had to pick them up, deliver them to the site and re-install them. Missing the actual scope would have meant a big loss for my employer.

Research was harder when I was a young estimator than it is now. I had a collection of catalogs that weighed over 300 pounds. The hardest part of changing jobs was lugging boxes of catalogs to my new office. Even with all of these, I did not always have the right one, and would need to call the manufacturer or their representative to get my questions answered.

Then the internet came along. It was a slow transition, as it took quite a while for manufacturers to get their catalogs online, but most eventually did. However, even today, there are still some pieces of information I cannot find online, and I have to resort to making phone calls. The following is an example of when research is required to have complete and accurate estimates.

LEDs

My most significant research projects are related to mainstreaming LED lighting. While some modern fixtures have the same form and function as incandescent and fluorescent fixtures, the compactness of LED lamps has led to an explosion of new types of fixtures. The labor units for these new forms of fixtures require that I research each one I am not familiar with. 

For example, I need to know about the installation instructions, packaging, fixture weight and number of pieces, as well as dimming and control requirements.

In with the new

It seems every time I read a specification, it asks for something I have never heard of, even though I have been in this industry for over 50 years. Manufacturers are always coming up with new ideas.

Wiring devices, for example, is a category that often befuddles me. I wrote an article about this just a couple of years ago (See “The Grading Scale,” ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR, June 2022), and wiring device categories have already changed since then. Last month, a specification required that receptacles be Hubbell catalog number PRO5362W, and I had to really do my research to make sure I got the pricing right. On a job with many receptacles, the difference between $5 and $25 per item is significant.

The bottom line

Some people have told me I am wasting time being this thorough. However, today’s specifications can be very specific about which materials are approved and which can be substituted. Even if there are conflicts in the specifications and plans, the specs usually require that you use the more expensive alternative. Mispricing materials, or leaving them out of an estimate because you do not understand them, is a dangerous way to prepare an electrical estimate.

Header image: stock.adobe.com