The 5 Essential Habits of Effective Electrical Estimators

If you are a new estimator or someone who has done jobs for a while, there is always something new to learn that will make you even more productive.

Have you ever wondered how some electrical estimators seem to handle the complexities of their job? Well, it is not about the luck elements but the kind of habits they have developed. If you are curious to know how they worked and their work philosophies, that makes them as efficient as possible. Here are a few things that we learned.

What does a successful estimator look like?

One of things that we found in the most effective estimators is that are never out of work. They have high demand in both private companies and public sector organizations.

Here are the top qualities of successful electrical estimators.

2. Paying close attention to every detail. Accuracy is essential for estimating, and attention to detail ensures a higher level of precision.
3. They also need to have good knowledge of the basics of electrical trade. It is still important to have a fundamental understanding of what the job entails. For instance, laying the same length of cable under different conditions may result in varying labor costs.

3. Effective communication skills are crucial. It is primarily because clients often have questions, and being approachable is key. As an estimator, you need to engage with both clients and colleagues. Moreover, building relationships within your community can enhance your company's prospects of securing electrical projects.

4. Strong Writing skills. Estimators often have to send queries and have to provide clear details on estimates. It is essential that you have clear communication to avoid any kind of misunderstanding.

5. Learning new things. Estimators should remain open and willing to learn as new techniques become available in the industry. This can improve their efficiency and effectiveness.

The 5 Essential Habits of Effective Electrical Estimators:

Here are the list of 5 Essential Habits of Effective Electrical Estimators:

1. Pay close attention to the scope of work:

Successful electrical estimators will always double-check the scope of work. They search for anything that may seem out of place or require clarification. They use RFI (Requests for Information) early in the estimating process to obtain timely answers.

Estimators improve with experience, and the more they have, the better they become. They often refer to past projects to compare and verify their current estimates.

2. They are the master of time management:

Effective time management is essential for electrical estimators. Timely submission of estimates is crucial to be eligible for tenders, and allowing sufficient time for subcontractors to provide quotes is equally important.

Oftentimes, they have multiple estimates on the go, and it is important to keep track and ensure that they are completed on time.

3. They get to know people in key roles:

There are projects where it matters "who you know." These elements can play a significant role in electrical work. Electrical estimators who are knowledgeable build their networks and establish relationships with individuals in influential positions, such as procurement managers.

It is important that you have some inside knowledge, and it can help you create quotes that will appeal to the organization that is hiring for the project. Estimators can tailor their quotes to match people's priorities when they take the time to get to know them.

4. They rely on the right tools: 

The basics of electrical estimation have remained the same even when there has been a paradigm shift in the new technologies.

There are tools and applications that make you more efficient. For example, Software for electrical contractors can do the work from anywhere and help generate quotes with accuracy. Here is how it can help:

• Streamlining the Estimation Process
• Quick Takeoffs
• Boosting Accuracy and Profitability
• Enhancing Project Management and Collaboration
• Boosting Team Efficiency
• Good estimators pay attention to new technologies that work best for the situation and make them more efficient.

5. They use bidding criteria.

Effective estimators know that the approach we just need to work on is not a great strategy when choosing the best project to bid on. Estimating time can be expensive. Estimators should focus on bids that the company is most likely to win.

Using a "bid or no bid" criteria is an effective strategy for narrowing down the projects for which you will create an estimate. This ensures that you only consider projects that match your company's capabilities. Common criteria include:

• When considering a project, it is important to evaluate its size, scope, required skillset, location, available labor resources, proposed schedule, and deadline for bids.
• Can your company handle the project based on its previous experience?
• Is the location feasible?
• Do you have the labor resources to commit to the project?
• Do you have the necessary skills?
• Can you meet the proposed schedule and deadline for bids? You may need a certain amount of time to create an accurate bid. Short deadlines may not be feasible. 

Connect with TurboBid if you want a trusted name for electrical estimation. Our Software helps you complete estimates with accuracy in half the time.

Conclusion:

The most effective electrical estimators know how to create a balance between accuracy and time management. They know the industry well and always learn new things that make them more efficient.

Finally, building strong connections with industry peers, local communities, and colleagues is also important. It fosters open communication channels, keeping them informed and prepared for upcoming projects.

Also Read: Estimating Software for Electrical Contractors to Streamline the Process