Unlock your potential: Essential resources for learning electrical estimating
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Whether you're just starting to dip your toes into estimating or you’re a seasoned pro, how far you go in this industry boils down to a mix of know-how, skill and a ton of hands-on experience.
That’s why we asked our team of experienced former estimators to handpick the best resources out there to help you level up your electrical estimating skills. Let’s get started:
Books and publications
There are some great books and how-to publications on electrical estimating and we’ve cherry-picked a few we think deliver the most bang for your buck in terms of straight-forward practical guidance:
- "Electrical Estimating Methods" by Wayne J. Del Pico. This book offers practical guidance on electrical estimating techniques and you can download a free PDF version
- “Electrical Contracting Tendering and Estimating: An Introductory Short Guide” by Jonathan Wilson is a book aimed at electrical contractors who are new to the process of tendering and estimating and those who wish to improve their current skills. It’s currently available to buy on Amazon
- The SPONS guides are a valuable resource to anyone involved in estimating as they provide the latest and reliable cost data for mechanical and electrical projects, including material prices and labour rates. The data is compiled from a variety of sources including industry surveys and market intelligence and includes short-term inflation forecasts. This ensures that the information is accurate and up to date, enabling estimators to make informed decisions about their budgets
- The Electrical Contractor Magazine covers various aspects of the electrical industry and there are some relevant featured articles and case studies directly related to estimating
- The EC&M (Electrical Construction and Maintenance) Magazine provides plenty of articles specifically related to electrical estimating, including “Essential Estimating Tips” and “The Estimating Sequence” (access to these articles requires membership registration)
Courses and training providers
If you look at estimating job ads in the UK, you’ll often see job descriptions requiring that a Junior Estimator holds BTEC ONC – Electrical Engineering, and City & Guilds Level 3 qualifications. These are formal qualifications that you can seek to obtain through apprenticeships, an experienced worker route, or diploma self-study courses.
It’s worth noting that formal qualifications are not always necessary for the role of electrical estimator – take a look at our other blog for more information on how to become an electrical estimator.
For more informal training, these courses may provide a useful starting point:
- The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) offers general courses related to construction management, including Estimating and Tendering: Principles & Practice
- NAPIT training also offers an online Practical Introduction to Electrical Estimating for qualified electricians looking to progress their career
- LinkedIn provides some excellent courses including Learning Construction Estimating. While not specifically focused on electrical estimating, courses such as this can provide you with some worthwhile tips and best practice information from leading experts in the field
Online resources
Podcasts and online forums can be a great way to get an extra bit of insight and some words of wisdom, and these are our team’s top picks:
- Marc Candels, the owner of Candels Estimating LLC, provides his insight on all things electrical estimating on his podcast
- Joining online forums and communities can be a great way to learn from experienced professionals and get practical advice and tips on electrical estimating. Websites like ElectriciansForums.net have sections dedicated to estimating and pricing discussions
- Reddit has a dedicated subreddit for Estimators with users sharing tips, tools and experience
- It’s worth reaching out to experienced electrical estimators or professionals in the field for mentorship and guidance. Networking with professionals through online platforms like LinkedIn can provide valuable insights and learning opportunities
Estimating software
In recent years, estimating has seen a shift from manual to automated methods. Many estimators are now adopting smarter practices built upon modern estimating software, so it’s a good idea to build this into your workflow and skill set.
There are several automated estimating platforms and they often come with tutorials and user guides to help you learn how to use them effectively.
For instance, Countfire is an end-to-end automated estimating platform recommended by estimators worldwide, and is designed to help you work faster, cut busy work and increase accuracy. We have specific step-by-step tutorials and “how-to” videos, with expert help on hand from former electrical estimators who have a wealth of knowledge and experience in the industry between them.
Automated estimating platforms can be the ideal solution if you’re looking to level up your skills and learn the ultimate modern methods of estimating, and here’s a good place to start:
- You can start your own free trial of Countfire and put it to the test
- Take a look at our short product demo which gives you an overview of how to use automation from completing your takeoffs through to the final estimate
- Follow our YouTube channel which provides smarter working tips and best practice for estimators with guidance from our specialists
Final thoughts
Continuous learning and keeping on top of the latest methods and best practice is key to having a successful career in estimating. We hope these resources will provide you with a solid starting point for levelling up your skills and furthering your knowledge in the sector.
You can also take a look at our Academy page for more resources and training to help you future-proof your estimating skills.
Whether you're just starting to dip your toes into estimating or you’re a seasoned pro, how far you go in this industry boils down to a mix of know-how, skill and a ton of hands-on experience.
That’s why we asked our team of experienced former estimators to handpick the best resources out there to help you level up your electrical estimating skills. Let’s get started:
Books and publications
There are some great books and how-to publications on electrical estimating and we’ve cherry-picked a few we think deliver the most bang for your buck in terms of straight-forward practical guidance:
- "Electrical Estimating Methods" by Wayne J. Del Pico. This book offers practical guidance on electrical estimating techniques and you can download a free PDF version
- “Electrical Contracting Tendering and Estimating: An Introductory Short Guide” by Jonathan Wilson is a book aimed at electrical contractors who are new to the process of tendering and estimating and those who wish to improve their current skills. It’s currently available to buy on Amazon
- The SPONS guides are a valuable resource to anyone involved in estimating as they provide the latest and reliable cost data for mechanical and electrical projects, including material prices and labour rates. The data is compiled from a variety of sources including industry surveys and market intelligence and includes short-term inflation forecasts. This ensures that the information is accurate and up to date, enabling estimators to make informed decisions about their budgets
- The Electrical Contractor Magazine covers various aspects of the electrical industry and there are some relevant featured articles and case studies directly related to estimating
- The EC&M (Electrical Construction and Maintenance) Magazine provides plenty of articles specifically related to electrical estimating, including “Essential Estimating Tips” and “The Estimating Sequence” (access to these articles requires membership registration)
Courses and training providers
If you look at estimating job ads in the UK, you’ll often see job descriptions requiring that a Junior Estimator holds BTEC ONC – Electrical Engineering, and City & Guilds Level 3 qualifications. These are formal qualifications that you can seek to obtain through apprenticeships, an experienced worker route, or diploma self-study courses.
It’s worth noting that formal qualifications are not always necessary for the role of electrical estimator – take a look at our other blog for more information on how to become an electrical estimator.
For more informal training, these courses may provide a useful starting point:
- The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) offers general courses related to construction management, including Estimating and Tendering: Principles & Practice
- NAPIT training also offers an online Practical Introduction to Electrical Estimating for qualified electricians looking to progress their career
- LinkedIn provides some excellent courses including Learning Construction Estimating. While not specifically focused on electrical estimating, courses such as this can provide you with some worthwhile tips and best practice information from leading experts in the field
Online resources
Podcasts and online forums can be a great way to get an extra bit of insight and some words of wisdom, and these are our team’s top picks:
- Marc Candels, the owner of Candels Estimating LLC, provides his insight on all things electrical estimating on his podcast
- Joining online forums and communities can be a great way to learn from experienced professionals and get practical advice and tips on electrical estimating. Websites like ElectriciansForums.net have sections dedicated to estimating and pricing discussions
- Reddit has a dedicated subreddit for Estimators with users sharing tips, tools and experience
- It’s worth reaching out to experienced electrical estimators or professionals in the field for mentorship and guidance. Networking with professionals through online platforms like LinkedIn can provide valuable insights and learning opportunities
Estimating software
In recent years, estimating has seen a shift from manual to automated methods. Many estimators are now adopting smarter practices built upon modern estimating software, so it’s a good idea to build this into your workflow and skill set.
There are several automated estimating platforms and they often come with tutorials and user guides to help you learn how to use them effectively.
For instance, Countfire is an end-to-end automated estimating platform recommended by estimators worldwide, and is designed to help you work faster, cut busy work and increase accuracy. We have specific step-by-step tutorials and “how-to” videos, with expert help on hand from former electrical estimators who have a wealth of knowledge and experience in the industry between them.
Automated estimating platforms can be the ideal solution if you’re looking to level up your skills and learn the ultimate modern methods of estimating, and here’s a good place to start:
- You can start your own free trial of Countfire and put it to the test
- Take a look at our short product demo which gives you an overview of how to use automation from completing your takeoffs through to the final estimate
- Follow our YouTube channel which provides smarter working tips and best practice for estimators with guidance from our specialists
Final thoughts
Continuous learning and keeping on top of the latest methods and best practice is key to having a successful career in estimating. We hope these resources will provide you with a solid starting point for levelling up your skills and furthering your knowledge in the sector.
You can also take a look at our Academy page for more resources and training to help you future-proof your estimating skills.