Best kept secret of being a successful Electrical Contractor.
There are many things that have to come together to take your company to the next level.
We have experienced them all. At Best Bid. We have lived through times when business was good and we have seen it when business was bad but there is one thing that gets you through all seasons of you Electrical Contracting Career and we will give you our secrete later on in this post.
When you are just starting out in business you may not understand the basics of how things work. Getting projects to bid on may be one of them. Most areas have a local plans room where most of the work that is bidding will be posted. This is a great place to start looking for new work. We suggest that if you are just getting your company started that before you start throwing bids out slow down and approach this in a systematic order. Watch the invitations for bids come in and who the General Contractors are. You will start to see some of the same names over and over. See who is bidding on the type of work that you want to do. Next you want to track which General Contractors are winning the work. You will start to see a pattern. This is just phase one.
Next you should inquire about your top 3 or 4 picks and find out how they are to work for. Do they finish the projects quickly, do they pay on time, etc. So what you are doing is recruiting a group of contractors that you want to work for that win work, easy to work with, and pay their bills.
At the same time you should create mock estimates for the jobs that are being bid in your areas by these General Contractors and see where your estimate would have landed. This is called testing the water. Find out what Electrical Contractors are bidding and research them as well. How many people do they employ, what are they good at and what are they struggling with. Knowing all the players is important. By tracking these things you can start to see who the electrical contractors are winning most of the work in your area and you can also dial in where your price need to be to beat them. BY using software like the Best Bid Hybrid Pro-www.bestbidestimating.com you know your cost. Now you can dial in on what profit, overhead, labor rates that you would need to use to win the work. (Knowing the cost does not always mean you can get there) but you can see if changes need to be made to be competitive. Now you have dialed all of this very important information in like a football team recruiting star players for the next season.
Now you start recruiting your General Contractors.
Create a simple get to know you package and give it to your select list of contractors
Let them know that you would like to start providing them electrical estimates.
Offer to do some free work such as change bulbs out in their office or put in an Occ sensor. Just something to break the ice.
You may have to bid a job or two very cheap to get their attention. If you are only a few dollars low they will use contractors that they know and trust.
It is hard to break into the club but they cannot afford to discount a low price on bid day.
Maybe tell a General Contractor that id favored to win a project that you will only bid with him on this particular project.
Get low, get the job and over perform like crazy. Provide submittals in record time. Micromanage the project and give the best performance of your life. Provide temp power before even being asked. Wire the job trailer etc.
Being the new kid in town you have to shine. Make using you a better experience. Show up without having to be told. Do things like telling them that you will have your rough in inspection on XX day without them having to ask.
Now for the secrete.
You cannot survive being low on every project but now that you have your foot in the door your goal is to become their electrical contractor of choice.
By bidding low and performing well they know your pricing is great and your work is great so the next time that secrete design and build project comes along guess who they ask?
The whole process is to build relations. It is more than work. You MUST MAKE PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS to do well in Electrical Contracting and life in general. These special jobs I am speaking of you will be bidding as a team against a budget not other competitors. They want choose you if they don’t like you or in public work you are always high. This is how you make money in Electrical Contracting. These projects can produce great rewards. Relationships!
Partner with us to help you achieve your goals. Best Bid Electrical Estimating Software & On-Screen Takeoff Solutions. Let us teach you how to estimate or estimate better!
At Best Bid we not only sell top rated electrical estimating software & On Screen Takeoff Solutions but we also provide advice from years of electrical experience. Do you want to just be someone’s customer or do you want to be part of a team? Selling and teaching Electrical Estimating is our only focus. We can help you like we have helped others for the past 25 years.
We also have an On-Line school for Electrical Estimating teaching the structure of electrical estimating. We offer a one of a kind tool for creating or modifying PDF drawings called the Accura Cadd PDF Draw.
We also do:
Freelance Electrical Estimating
Freelance Drafting
Teaching and training
Consulting
Mentoring
Hope this post will help you be a better Electrical Contractor.
https://bestbidestimating.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/PIC-35.png415625Steve Griffinhttps://bestbidestimating.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/bestbid-logo.pngSteve Griffin2020-11-23 17:42:332023-04-13 18:50:03Best kept secret of being a successful Electrical Contractor.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does electrical takeoff software improve project accuracy?
Electrical takeoff software improves project accuracy by automating the material and labor quantification process, minimizing human errors and ensuring consistent estimating across all projects.
How does electrical estimating software streamline workflows?
Electrical estimating software streamlines workflows by providing integrated on-screen takeoff, real-time material pricing, and precise man-hour estimates, boosting efficiency and accuracy in the bidding process.
Can electrical takeoff software integrate with existing workflows?
Yes, Best Bid's electrical takeoff software can seamlessly integrate with existing workflows, allowing electrical contractors to streamline their estimating and bidding processes.
What is the cost of electrical takeoff software for small businesses?
The cost of electrical takeoff software for small businesses with Best Bid ranges from $995 to $2,995 per user, depending on the software package and features selected.
Is electrical takeoff software user-friendly for non-technical users?
The electrical takeoff software offered by Best Bid is designed to be user-friendly for non-technical users, providing an intuitive interface and step-by-step guidance to streamline the estimating process for electrical contractors.
What kind of customer support does electrical takeoff software offer?
Electrical takeoff software from Best Bid offers comprehensive customer support, including lifetime software updates, technical assistance, and personalized training to ensure seamless integration and optimal performance for electrical contractors.
Can electrical takeoff software handle complex electrical systems?
Yes, the Best Bid electrical takeoff software can handle complex electrical systems. The software offers advanced features, including integrated on-screen takeoff, real-time material pricing, and precise man-hour estimates, to streamline the bidding process for complex electrical projects.
What is the best electrical takeoff software for construction projects?
Best Bid delivers top-rated Electrical Estimating Software, offering affordable, accurate, and easy-to-use solutions for Electrical Contractors across the USA and Canada.
How does electrical takeoff software reduce project timelines?
Electrical takeoff software reduces project timelines by automating the quantification of materials, minimizing manual calculations, and providing real-time pricing updates, leading to faster and more accurate estimates.
What are the benefits of using electrical takeoff software?
The benefits of using electrical takeoff software include increased accuracy, efficiency, and cost savings in the estimating process for electrical contractors. The software provides integrated on-screen takeoff, real-time material pricing, and precise man-hour estimates to streamline the bidding workflow.
Can electrical takeoff software reduce estimating errors?
Electrical takeoff software can significantly reduce estimating errors by automating material calculations, integrating real-time pricing, and providing precise man-hour estimates, streamlining the bidding process for electrical contractors.
How does electrical takeoff software improve collaboration among teams?
Electrical takeoff software improves collaboration among teams by enabling real-time data sharing, streamlining communication, and providing a centralized platform for project management, leading to increased efficiency and reduced errors in the estimating process.
What features should I look for in electrical takeoff software?
When looking for electrical takeoff software, key features to consider include integrated on-screen takeoff, real-time material pricing, precise man-hour estimates, and compatibility with industry-leading platforms like NetPricer.
How does electrical takeoff software enhance accuracy?
Electrical takeoff software enhances accuracy by providing automated measurements, real-time material pricing, and precise man-hour estimates, streamlining the bidding process and reducing the risk of human errors.
What features improve project management in estimating software?
The key features that improve project management in estimating software include integrated on-screen takeoff, real-time material pricing, and precise man-hour estimates to streamline the bidding process.
How can I choose the right estimating software?
Choosing the right estimating software involves considering features like accuracy, ease of use, cost, and integration with your existing workflow. Best Bid's Electrical Estimating Software offers affordable, user-friendly solutions with integrated takeoff, material pricing, and precise man-hour estimates to streamline your bidding process.
What integrations are available for electrical takeoff software?
The Best Bid electrical takeoff software integrates with industry-leading platforms such as NetPricer for real-time material pricing updates, enabling seamless workflow and accurate cost estimates.
How does estimating software support project budgeting?
Electrical estimating software supports project budgeting by providing accurate material pricing, detailed labor estimates, and comprehensive cost analysis, enabling electrical contractors to create precise project budgets.
What training is available for using takeoff software?
Best Bid offers comprehensive training resources for using their takeoff software, including on-demand video tutorials, live webinars, and personalized support from their experienced team to ensure seamless software implementation and usage.
How can takeoff software assist in project planning?
Takeoff software can assist in project planning by providing accurate material takeoffs, labor estimates, and cost projections, enabling more precise budgeting and scheduling for electrical projects.
What are the latest trends in electrical estimating software?
The latest trends in electrical estimating software include integrated on-screen takeoff, real-time material pricing, and precise man-hour estimates to streamline the bidding process for electrical contractors.
How does software impact team collaboration on projects?
Software can enhance team collaboration on projects by facilitating real-time data sharing, task tracking, and communication, enabling seamless workflow and improved project management.
What are common challenges with electrical takeoff software?
Common challenges with electrical takeoff software include complexity, inaccurate material pricing, lack of integration with other systems, and difficulty in adapting to new software. The solution is to use intuitive, affordable, and well-integrated electrical estimating software.
How can I maximize efficiency with estimating software?
The benefits of using estimating software to maximize efficiency are streamlining the bidding process, improving accuracy through integrated takeoff and real-time pricing, and boosting productivity with advanced computerized estimating.
What security features should electrical software include?
Electrical estimating software should include robust security features such as user authentication, data encryption, and backup capabilities to protect sensitive project information and client data.
How does software affect project cost estimation accuracy?
The use of specialized electrical estimating software can significantly improve project cost estimation accuracy by automating calculations, integrating material pricing, and providing comprehensive historical data, leading to more reliable and precise estimates.
What are user reviews saying about this software?
User reviews praise Best Bid's Electrical Estimating Software for its affordability, accuracy, and ease of use, helping electrical contractors streamline their bidding process and boost efficiency.
How can takeoff software improve bid competitiveness?
Takeoff software can improve bid competitiveness by providing accurate and detailed cost estimates, streamlining the estimating process, and enabling contractors to submit more competitive bids.
What updates are essential for electrical estimating software?
Essential updates for electrical estimating software include new material pricing, updated labor and equipment costs, changes to building codes and regulations, and integration with the latest CAD/BIM software and databases.
How does software facilitate compliance in electrical projects?
The software facilitates compliance in electrical projects by providing integrated on-screen takeoff, real-time material pricing, and precise man-hour estimates to streamline the bidding process and ensure accurate, compliant project estimates.
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