Division 26: Electrical, plus 27 and 28 when scoped
Electrical estimating services priced at your labor units
Send your E-sheets and specs. Get devices, fixtures, gear, conduit and wire measured by type and size, then priced with the labor units and material costs you approve.
Fixed price in 2 business hours. Pay only after you accept.
- Fixed price before any work starts
- Plan review is free
- You pay only after you accept the price and delivery date
- Single-trade estimates in 48 hours
- Your rates, your final number
- 2x2 LED troffers1Callout 1: 12 in the open office24 EA
- LED downlights2Callout 2: 10 in the corridor and break room10 EA
- Duplex receptacles42 EA
- Switches and occupancy sensors14 EA
- Branch conduit and wire3Callout 3: 4 home runs to LP-11,850 LF
- Panelboard LP-11 EA
Quick answer
Electrical estimating services from Bidmere turn your electrical plans into a measured takeoff and cost summary for electrical contractors and general contractors. You get device and fixture counts, conduit and wire by size, gear counts, and a question log, priced at your rates. Estimates are priced from $195 and single-trade work is ready in 48 hours.
What electrical estimating services include
You get a counted, measured and priced electrical number that your estimator can check line by line. Every quantity cites its sheet and revision.
You send
- Power, lighting, systems and site electrical plans
- One-line diagram, riser, panel schedules and light fixture schedule
- Division 26 specification sections, plus 27 and 28 if in scope
- Mechanical and plumbing equipment schedules that need power
- Addenda, and your labor units or rates and material pricing
You get back
- Device and fixture counts by type, room and sheet
- Branch conduit and wire by size and type, with routing assumptions written out
- Feeders, panels, transformers and gear from the one-line
- A cost summary with labor and material shown separately
- A question log of conflicts and scope splits
Delivery is an Excel estimate with live formulas, color-coded marked-up PDF plans, and a written list of assumptions, exclusions and open questions.
What an electrical takeoff measures, by CSI section
An electrical takeoff counts what is shown and measures what runs between it. Most Division 26 work falls into a handful of MasterFormat sections.
| Scope item | Typical CSI section | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Conductors and cable by size and type | 26 05 19 | LF |
| Grounding and bonding | 26 05 26 | LF, EA |
| Raceway and boxes by type and size | 26 05 33 | LF, EA |
| Transformers | 26 22 00 | EA |
| Switchboards and panelboards | 26 24 13, 26 24 16 | EA |
| Wiring devices | 26 27 26 | EA |
| Disconnects and enclosed controllers | 26 28 16, 26 29 13 | EA |
| Interior lighting by fixture type | 26 51 00 | EA |
| Exterior and site lighting | 26 56 00 | EA |
| Generators and transfer switches | 26 32 13, 26 36 00 | EA |
Section numbers vary by spec edition and by engineer, so the takeoff follows the numbering in your project manual.
Low voltage and fire alarm estimating, when you carry them
Low voltage and fire alarm can be added to the scope when the documents show them. They are priced as separate lines so you can carry, exclude or sub them out.
- Fire alarm (Division 28). Smoke and heat detectors, pull stations, horn strobes, duct detectors, monitor and control modules, the control panel and power supplies, each by count. Cable is measured by circuit type. Many fire alarm drawings are delegated design, so device counts may come from a performance spec and need a stated basis.
- Structured cabling (Division 27). Data and voice outlets by count, cable by LF, racks, patch panels and terminations.
- Security and access control (Division 28). Card readers, door contacts, cameras and their cabling.
- Pathway only. Many projects ask the electrician for empty conduit, back boxes, sleeves and J-hooks, with cable by others. The takeoff shows pathway and cable separately so the split is clear.
Electrical plan conflicts that cause bid misses
Electrical bids are usually lost on documents that disagree, not on miscounts. These are the conflicts the question log flags most:
- A fixture tag on the lighting plan has no line on the fixture schedule.
- Feeder sizes on the one-line differ from the riser or panel schedules.
- Mechanical schedules list a different MCA or MOCP than the electrical equipment schedule.
- Circuit numbers or home runs are shown, but branch routing is not.
- The spec bans MC cable in some areas while plan notes allow it.
- Emergency lighting and exit signs appear on one sheet but not the fixture schedule.
- Lighting control sequences are written in the spec but not shown on plans.
Each item cites the sheets involved, so your team can send an RFI or qualify the bid.
Scope gaps between electrical and other trades
Gaps between trades cost electrical contractors more than takeoff errors. Check each of these before bid day:
- Mechanical equipment. Who furnishes starters, VFDs and disconnects? Division 23 often furnishes, Division 26 installs and wires.
- Temperature control wiring. Line voltage to controls panels is usually electrical. Low-voltage control wiring is often the controls contractor.
- Fire protection interface. Flow and tamper switches are furnished by sprinkler, wired by fire alarm.
- Duct detectors. Often furnished by fire alarm and installed by mechanical.
- Electrified door hardware. Power to door hardware and access control is split between Divisions 08, 26 and 28.
- Utility service. Primary conduit, transformer pads, trenching and utility fees.
- Site lighting. Pole bases are often concrete scope, and trenching may be sitework.
- Owner-furnished equipment. Connections to equipment you do not supply.
What drives an electrical estimate up or down
Labor is the largest variable in most electrical estimates, so the wiring method and installation conditions matter more than device count.
- Wiring method. EMT with pulled wire versus MC cable changes labor sharply.
- Conductor material. Copper versus aluminum feeders, where the spec allows aluminum.
- Installation height and access. High bays, hard ceilings and occupied spaces slow production.
- Gear and lighting quotes. Switchgear and fixture packages are usually priced by vendor quote and carry lead time risk.
- Labor units. Your own units or a published labor unit manual, adjusted for conditions.
- Wage requirements. Prevailing wage on public work changes labor rates.
The estimate shows each assumption so your team can change it.
Have plans for this scope? Send them over. Fixed quote within 2 business hours. Plan review is free, and you pay only after you accept.
Get a fixed quoteHire an electrical estimator, buy software, or outsource?
Electrical estimating software is a tool your estimator runs. An electrical estimating company supplies the estimator time as well.
Software pays off when you have estimators with open hours. A freelance electrical estimator or an outside service makes sense when bids stack up or you need a second count. Bidmere works remotely from your documents, so you do not need an electrical estimating service near you. The estimating software vs service guide compares cost and control.
Electrical estimating services near me: remote, in all 50 states
An electrical takeoff does not need a local office. It needs your plans, specifications, addenda and labor units. Bidmere works remotely for electrical contractors and general contractors in every US state, so a job in your town is handled the same way as one across the country.
- Price. Single-trade electrical estimates from $195. Takeoff only from $149.
- Turnaround. Ready in 48 hours from your accepted quote and complete documents. 24-hour rush for 30% more, subject to capacity.
- Quote. A fixed price within 2 business hours after a free plan review. You pay only after you accept.
- Local pricing. Your labor units, wage rates and supplier quotes set the numbers, so the estimate reflects your market.
Bidmere does not visit sites. Send photos or pre-bid notes for existing conditions, and the estimate states each assumption. For state bid rules, see construction estimating by state.
What the electrical estimate does not include
The estimate measures and prices the work as designed. Design and field work stay with others.
- Electrical design, load calculations, short-circuit or arc flash studies
- Code review or permit drawings
- Site visits and field verification of existing circuits
- Signing or submitting your bid
Electrical takeoff software, estimate templates and cost per square foot
Electrical takeoff software speeds up counting and measuring, but someone still has to read the drawings. Widely used electrical estimating software includes Trimble Accubid, McCormick and ConEst IntelliBid. ConEst and McCormick both name low voltage work. If you need fire alarm estimating software, ask each vendor whether fire alarm devices and cable are in the database.
Electrical estimating software cost. None of the three listed prices on its site when we checked in November 2026. Each points you to sales or a demo. A free electrical estimating app or a phone-based electrical estimator app can suit residential service work. Residential electrical estimating software rarely carries the labor units a commercial bid needs.
What software does not do:
- Check panel schedules and one-lines against the plans.
- Decide which low voltage systems are yours.
- Write the question log and exclusions.
Electrical estimate template. The free construction estimate template works for electrical. Group lines by Division 26, 27 and 28. Use EA for devices and fixtures and LF for conduit and wire. Convert your labor units to a labor cost per unit at your rate.
Electrical cost per square foot. Bidmere does not publish a figure. Building type, wiring method, gear and lighting packages move it widely. Use sourced construction cost per square foot ranges for early budgets only.
Bidmere is one of several electrical estimating companies that work remotely from your plans. A low voltage estimator or a full electrical estimate from us fits when bids stack up. See estimating software vs service.
Sample takeoff
What a takeoff looks like
| Item | Quantity | Unit | Sheet and basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2x4 LED troffer, type A | 186 | EA | E-201, E-202, fixture schedule E-601 |
| LED downlight, type D | 64 | EA | E-201, E-202 |
| Exit sign with battery | 22 | EA | E-201, E-202 |
| Duplex receptacle, 20 A | 312 | EA | E-301, E-302 |
| Occupancy sensor, ceiling | 48 | EA | E-201, E-202 |
| 3/4 in. EMT branch conduit | 6,850 | LF | Routing assumed, see question 4 |
| #12 THHN copper | 21,900 | LF | 3 wires per run plus about 6% makeup; EMT as ground |
| Panelboard, 225 A, 42 circuit | 6 | EA | One-line E-501 |
| Feeder, 4 #4/0 Cu in 2-1/2 in. conduit | 420 | LF | Riser E-502 |
| Fire alarm horn strobe | 58 | EA | FA-101, FA-102, if scoped |
Fictional example: part of an electrical takeoff for an invented two-story medical office. Not a customer project.
Before you send plans
Common questions about handing off the work
Will I lose control of my labor units?
No. The estimate is priced with the labor units and material costs you approve. Every unit is visible, so you can change any of them.
What if circuiting is not drawn?
The routing assumption is written out and listed as an open question. You can accept it or give a different basis.
Who is responsible for the final electrical bid?
Your team. You review the number, set markup, sign and submit. Bidmere does not sign or submit bids.
Electrical takeoff and estimate pricing
Electrical takeoffs from Bidmere start at $149, and single-trade electrical estimates at $195. The fixed quote for your job usually lands in these ranges:
| Job size | Takeoff only (quantities) | Single-trade estimate (quantities and pricing) |
|---|---|---|
| Small job: up to 10,000 SF | $149 to $295 | $195 to $395 |
| Mid-size job: 10,000 to 50,000 SF | $295 to $695 | $395 to $895 |
| Large job: over 50,000 SF, or several buildings | From $695 | From $895 |
Single-trade estimates are ready in 48 hours. Rush (24 hours) adds 30%. 25% off your first estimate. Every job gets a fixed quote within 2 business hours, and you pay only after you accept. Every estimate is delivered as an Excel estimate with live formulas, color-coded marked-up PDF plans, and a written list of assumptions, exclusions and open questions. See pricing for the full price list and scope conditions.
Monthly estimating plans
Bid every week? Put your electrical estimating on a monthly plan
If your team bids every week, a monthly plan is simpler than ordering one estimate at a time. You send bids as they come in, and each one is measured and priced the same way.
- Starter: $1,395 per month for up to 6 bids
- Pro: $2,595 per month for up to 12 bids
- Scale: $4,795 per month for up to 25 bids
Each plan uses your rates, your cost codes and your proposal format, so your numbers stay consistent from bid to bid. See monthly outsourced estimating plans for what each plan covers.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How much do electrical estimating services cost?
Bidmere single-trade electrical estimates are priced from $195 for a qualifying project, with 25% off your first estimate. The fixed price depends on sheet count, systems in scope and deadline. You get the price within 2 business hours after a free plan review and pay only after you accept. See pricing.
How long does an electrical estimate take?
A qualifying single-trade electrical estimate is ready in 48 hours from your accepted quote and complete documents. Larger projects, or projects that add fire alarm and low voltage, get a delivery date in the fixed quote. Rush: 24-hour rush for 30% more, subject to capacity. Tell us your bid date up front.
What do I need to send for an electrical takeoff?
Send the power, lighting, systems and site electrical plans, the one-line and riser, panel and fixture schedules, Division 26 specs and all addenda. Add mechanical and plumbing equipment schedules so equipment connections can be counted. To get a quote, a short description and a plans link are enough.
Who sets the labor units and material prices?
You do. The estimate is priced with labor units or rates and material pricing you approve, and labor and material are shown separately. If you want a takeoff only, no pricing is applied and your team prices it. Bidmere never changes your markup or final bid number.
Do you estimate fire alarm and low voltage systems?
Yes, when you add them to the scope and the documents show them. Fire alarm devices, panels and cable, structured cabling, and security are priced as separate lines. Where fire alarm is delegated design, device counts follow a stated basis that your team approves.
Can I order an electrical takeoff only?
Yes. An electrical takeoff gives you devices and fixtures by type, conduit and wire by size, and panels and gear by count, with no pricing. Your team prices it with its own labor units and material costs. Takeoffs are priced from $149; see quantity takeoff services.
How are addenda handled?
The estimate names the plan revision and addenda it reflects. If an addendum arrives after that baseline, its effect is reviewed as an agreed revision under your accepted quote. Changed fixture schedules and panel schedules are reconciled before the quantity is shown as current.
Is there an electrical estimating company near me?
You do not need one nearby. Electrical estimates are prepared from documents, so the work is the same wherever the job is. Plans are shared electronically after scope review. Local labor rates and wage requirements are applied from the rates your team approves.
What does electrical estimating software cost?
Trimble Accubid, McCormick and ConEst IntelliBid did not publish prices on their websites when we checked in November 2026. Each asks you to request a demo or contact sales, and cost depends on edition, users and hosting. You also pay for the estimator hours to run it. If you bid a few electrical jobs a month, compare that with a fixed-price estimate from $195.
What is a typical electrical cost per square foot?
There is no single figure. Electrical cost per square foot changes with building type, wiring method, service size, lighting package, low voltage scope and local labor rates. Bidmere does not publish a number. For a bid, send the plans and we price a measured takeoff at your rates. For early budgets, use the sourced ranges in our construction cost per square foot guide.
Get a fixed quote
Share the project basics. You get a fixed price and delivery date within 2 business hours. Plan review is free, and you pay only after you accept.