Learn Electrical Estimating Online
Learn how to prepare a complete electrical estimate — from drawings and takeoff through labor, material, job costs and final bid price.
This Isn't Just a Video Course
You prepare an actual electrical estimate inside the iBidElectric Online Classroom.
Complete the estimating process from start to finish.
- Review real construction drawings in the built-in plan viewer
- Count fixtures and devices with saved, color-coded count sets
- Measure conduit and feeder routes from the drawings
- Develop material, labor, equipment and direct job expenses
- Apply markups and assemble the final selling price
- Save your progress and return at any time
- Submit the completed estimate for grading
What You'll Learn
Basic Electrical Estimating teaches a repeatable process for turning project documents into a complete electrical construction estimate.
Understand the Project
Learn to review drawings, specifications, scope and project requirements before beginning the takeoff.
Build the Takeoff
Identify electrical systems, quantify material and organize the estimate so important scope is not overlooked.
Develop Labor
Learn how labor units, crew considerations and non-productive time affect the hours carried in an estimate.
Price Material
Build material costs and understand where quotations and project-specific pricing fit into the estimate.
Build Job Costs
Account for equipment, supervision, direct job expenses, subcontracts and other costs beyond material and labor.
Finish the Bid
Review the estimate, apply markups and develop the final selling price you would submit for the project.
Start Here If You're New to Estimating
One Course. One Clear Goal.
By the end of Basic Electrical Estimating, you will have worked through the complete estimating process and prepared a finished electrical construction estimate for grading.
Your Online Classroom
The course keeps the lessons, drawings, estimating tools, progress and instructor feedback together in one place. No separate estimating or takeoff software is required.
More Than 40 Years in Electrical Construction
This course is built from decades of real electrical construction experience spanning estimating, chief estimating, preconstruction leadership, instruction and cost consulting.
The goal is practical: teach the estimating process the way electrical construction work is actually reviewed, quantified, priced and assembled.
- Electrical construction estimating experience
- Chief estimator and preconstruction leadership experience
- Real construction drawings and project conditions
- Practical estimating exercises instead of theory alone
- Instructor feedback throughout the learning process
Basic Electrical Estimating FAQ
Who is the Basic Electrical Estimating course for?
Basic Electrical Estimating is designed for electricians moving from the field into estimating, new estimators building a foundation, project managers who want to better understand estimating, and electrical contractors who want a more consistent estimating process.
How long does the course take to complete?
The course is self-paced. Many students complete Basic Electrical Estimating in as little as two weeks, while others choose to work through the course over a longer period.
How long do I have access to the classroom?
You receive three months of online classroom access from enrollment, giving you time to work through the course around your schedule.
Do I need previous electrical estimating experience?
No. Basic Electrical Estimating teaches the estimating process from the foundation up. Electrical construction knowledge is helpful, but prior estimating experience is not required.
Do I need to purchase estimating or takeoff software?
No. The construction drawings, plan viewer, count and measurement tools, estimating workspace, instructions and grading are built into the iBidElectric Online Classroom. You need a web browser to complete the course.
Will I work from actual electrical construction drawings?
Yes. You work from real construction drawings and use the built-in plan viewer, count tools and measurement tools as you develop the estimate.
Is there a final estimating exam?
Yes. You prepare a complete electrical construction estimate inside the classroom and submit your final price for grading. The passing standard is within ±5% of the instructor's estimate.
What happens after I complete the Basic course?
After building your foundation in Basic Electrical Estimating, you can continue with Advanced Electrical Estimating or Design-Build Electrical Estimating. You can compare all three courses on the main training page.
Learn the Complete Electrical Estimating Process
Start with Basic Electrical Estimating and prepare a complete estimate using real construction drawings and the iBidElectric Online Classroom.