--- title: "Design Build: Better Estimates for Electrical Costs" description: "Design Build: Better Estimates for Electrical Costs" image: https://blog.powercalc.co/hs-fs/hubfs/Doc1.jpg?upscale=true&width=664&upscale=true&name=Doc1.jpg --- [![Powercalc_Logo.png](https://blog.powercalc.co/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/Powercalc_Logo.png?width=592&height=91&name=Powercalc_Logo.png "Powercalc_Logo.png")](https://www.powercalc.co) # PowerCalc Blog # Design Build: Better Estimates for Electrical Costs By James Khalil, P.E. | May 28, 2020 11:00:00 AM | [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.powercalc.co%2Fposts%2Fdesign-build-better-estimates-for-electrical-costs%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.powercalc.co%2Fposts%2Fdesign-build-better-estimates-for-electrical-costs%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.powercalc.co%2Fposts%2Fdesign-build-better-estimates-for-electrical-costs%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.powercalc.co%2Fposts%2Fdesign-build-better-estimates-for-electrical-costs%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Design%20Build%3A%20Better%20Estimates%20for%20Electrical%20Costs) [![Share on Pinterest](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/pinterest-24x24.png)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.powercalc.co%2Fposts%2Fdesign-build-better-estimates-for-electrical-costs%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fblog.powercalc.co%2Fposts%2Fdesign-build-better-estimates-for-electrical-costs%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fblog.powercalc.co%2Fposts%2Fdesign-build-better-estimates-for-electrical-costs%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ![Doc1](https://blog.powercalc.co/hs-fs/hubfs/Doc1.jpg?upscale=true&upscale=true&width=600&name=Doc1.jpg) *** Fig 1: 1 Line Diagram: PowerCalc with Feeder Table *** At *PowerCalc*, everything is focused on the electrical circuit. Our patented software starts at the circuit adding loads to reach the service entrance for exacting accuracy in our calculations and incredibly fast design of the power distribution system (PDS) inside a single or multiple facilities. The* PowerCalc* system mirrors the National Electrical Code's (NEC's) "bottom-up" framework and automates all the calculations required for compliance with the NEC. But, in speaking with a user recently, the power of *PowerCalc's* 7.5 million equations took on a new use.  What if *PowerCalc's* automatic calculations are  used to estimate the size and characteristics of the electrical equipment and labor costs for the PDS in bidding Design Build projects.  In today's construction industry, a preferred method for construction is Design Build. The Design Build process combines the design of the structure with the construction cost in one price submitted to the owner. In order to bid, the Design Build contractor needs to determine what equipment is necessary and its costs *prior* to the PDS even being designed. In a Design Build construction project, as opposed to a conventional method of design / bid / construction, the contractor is locked into its bid. Currently, the bid for a Design Build construction project is based on estimates often relying  on "rule of thumb" electrical design. The reality is that the *actual* quantity and price of the electrical equipment for the power distribution system is likely not known at the time of bid For sure, *PowerCalc* can help the Design Build contractor to accurately estimate the cost of providing the electrical equipment and labor for the project.  The reason for using *PowerCalc* for such an estimate is that only *PowerCalc* can provide the  details like sizes and quantities for the necessary equipment such as Main Distribution Panel, Distribution Panels, Lighting / Power Panels, Motor Control Centers (MCCs), Automatic Transfer Switches (ATSs), UPS Transformers,and Generators. *PowerCalc* does not stop there, but also sizes and quantifies this equipment and associated conductors (with neutral and ground), conduits, overcurrent protection devices, panel frame / main, phase, equipment AIC ratings, and voltage drop. In short, estimates based on *PowerCalc's* calculations allow the design bid quote to be much closer to actual cost.  ![Wizard](https://blog.powercalc.co/hs-fs/hubfs/Wizard.jpg?upscale=true&upscale=true&width=600&name=Wizard.jpg)* * ***Fig 2: ******Settings on Panel WIZARD*** So, let's step through the process of  how to use *PowerCalc* to put together an electrical  cost estimate for a Design Build project.  At the Panel WIZARD,  override the "Auto" pre-set functions and instead input estimates such as *the panelboard "Main" size.  *With this single input, the results estimate specifications for feeder, conduit, ground, overcurrent protection devices, voltage drop, equipment AIC ratings, and fault current calculation*s. See Fig 2: Settings on Panel WIZARD* With this information,* PowerCalc* generates a basic layout of the PDS with its automatically and simultaneously generated 1 Line Diagram.  *See Fig 1: One Line Diagram*  Included with the 1 Line Diagram is the Feeder Table indicating the number and size of feeders conductors. * See Fig. 1: 1 Line Diagram with Feeder Table and  Fig 3: Feeder Table from 1 Line Diagram*   *![Left Column-1](https://blog.powercalc.co/hs-fs/hubfs/Left%20Column-1.jpg?upscale=true&upscale=true&width=300&name=Left%20Column-1.jpg)* *** Fig. 3  Feeder Table from 1 Line Diagram*** Also useful for a Design Build estimate, is that any change is easy. Change an input anywhere...and  all values on the PDS and 1 Line Diagram are instantaneously updated across the entire PDS both upstream and downstream. This is  a wealth of information for estimators to use for Design Build projects. While still estimates, the quantity and sizing of necessary equipment is much closer to the "actual" and final numbers than is available by other means.  Hope this information helps Design Builders and Electrical Contractors to increase their profits!     [![New Call-to-action](https://blog.powercalc.co/hs-fs/hub/1002713/hub_generated/resized/0f70aba1-dbdc-4087-94bb-a3ddfe985097.png)](https://www.powercalc.co/cs/c/?cta_guid=43ecd730-7c00-4101-bc4a-4d7d7461a684&placement_guid=0ab391e1-360e-4211-839a-cceab9a5f499&portal_id=1002713&canon=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.powercalc.co%2Fdesign-build-better-estimates-for-electrical-costs&redirect_url=APefjpHUrSdvoxj34ztR8bWrvivy-fNDVYT6yDx_1HLHU5_X0zK9JTbI9qNdcgbZhIhDkkLEZjpA49Bfd0sZxCPuSMrpE_06FQ2oLnMu2KLq6E-9YKmpSyVDyvil5wIFd4FRHO-ef3o4xVQjSUh_XVEbpioMZ677aIztEzCw97IdnrtWiKHU8dy_OQF6p01LJnh96PF17xCXq5O7kJfbnWl1ZYIjVqos-0u7uMmo7nMCdpcS_-gS9ZIgJ3ejco4V7XYP9cjrTw5TMFty3Y_6HY4mE83DdsXUI-KHWsmWMkS00e7rZMa3P7BOOuNQDmsTeDrzy8ay204M&click=6b9b579a-4465-486b-afe3-56a34316bb7a&hsutk=152e5d3a74fe766c20eb2f6f2bad4fd2&signature=AAH58kEvd5c8g3eWC1X9_75vEihmIoDTFQ&pageId=29570818200&__hstc=88032391.152e5d3a74fe766c20eb2f6f2bad4fd2.1589943525943.1589943525943.1589943525943.1&__hssc=88032391.2.1589943525943&__hsfp=2984226727&contentType=standard-page) And remember, we have a free demonstration on the first Friday of each month: [FREE Demo, Friday June 5th at 12 EST](https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYudemvqj8vG9UivVlFV7IXleb0nszkVARp?utm_campaign=Design%20Build&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_VoVXdukicDmfQ83dvl6wbcSab03JRl9BmSvDo5gFAzuzaJcLRkFYVcxC1uu-utyN9Ni4E) Hope you will join us! Thank you for your support!  Stay well. ![](https://blog.powercalc.co/hubfs/James%20at%20desk.jpg) **About The Author** James Khalil, P.E. is President, Co-founder and Inventor of PowerCalc. He has 30+ years of experience at his MEP firm in Delray Beach, FL and with Carter Burgess (now Jacobs) in Fort Worth, TX; Mason & Hanger (now Zimmerman) in Lexington, KY; and Gee & Jenson (now CH2M) in West Palm Beach, FL. He received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas. His experience includes projects for Saudi Arabia and Qatar; the US Departments of Energy, State, and Defense; and universities, schools, health facilities, and arts centers. 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