Best Resources for Electrical Estimators - Hardware, Software, Books, Training, Associations

We did a roundup of electrical estimating resources available to develop and improve your electrical estimating abilities. Please comment with any that we did not cover. (click the "...more" below to see all the links!)

00:00 Introduction
01:28 Computer Hardware
06:56 Electrical Estimating Software
08:16 Material Pricing Software
09:15 Takeoff Software
10:45 Construction Accounting Software
14:20 Other Software
19:45 NECA Labor Manual
21:38 RSMeans Data
22:57 Durand Associates
23:42 Ugly’s Electrical References
24:21 Mike Holt’s Illustrated Guide to Electrical Estimating
25:02 Top Magazines
26:37 Takeoff Forms
27:37 Online Communities & Resources
30:33 Estimating Services
32:59 Electrical Estimating Training
36:48 Membership Resources
38:15 Tradeshows
40:54 Project Lead Sources
42:41 Vision InfoSoft YouTube Channel

HARDWARE
============
Computer - Any Windows PC. Multiple video output options are recommended. (HDMI/DP)
Monitors - Two 20" - 32" monitors. (or more as you see fit) Some prefer larger TV-sized screens.
Scalex Planwheel / Scalemaster - Good backup to measure/count physical plans.

SOFTWARE
============
Electrical Estimating Software https://www.visioninfosoft.com/electr...
Material Pricing https://www.visioninfosoft.com/electr...
PlanSwift https://www.visioninfosoft.com/electr...
Microsoft Word/Excel or Google Docs/Sheets https://www.microsoft365.com/ or https://www.google.com/drive/
Accounting Software https://www.jobpow.com/

BOOKS
============
NECA Labor Manual https://www.necanet.org/education/pub...)
NECA Labor Factor Score Sheet
https://www.necanet.org/docs/default-...
RS Means - Price book https://www.rsmeans.com/products/books
Durand & Associates https://www.durandassociates.com/book...
Ugly’s Electrical References https://www.uglys.net/
Mike Holt's Illustrated Guide to Electrical Estimating https://www.mikeholt.com/productitem....

MAGAZINES
============
EC&M https://endeavor.dragonforms.com/load...
EC Mag https://www.ecmag.com/subscription
IEC Insights https://insights.ieci.org/subscribe-t...

FORMS / OTHER
============
Takeoff Forms https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ca5_...

WEBSITES
============
Linkedin - Electrical Estimators Forum   / 3930111  
Electrical Estimating & Project Management   / electricalestimating  
Electrical Estimators on FB (Candels)   / electricalestimators  
Electrical Estimator Blog (Stephen Carr) https://electricalestimator.wordpress...

ESTIMATING SERVICES
========================
Electrical Enlightenment https://www.electricalenlightenment.com/
Vision Training & Consulting (Brian Hoffelder) https://visioninfosoft.com
Many Others Please share your links in this video's Comments.

ELECTRICAL ESTIMATING TRAINING
========================
CandelsPRO https://candelsoncall.com/candelspro-...
Mike Holt https://www.mikeholt.com/productitem....
Electrical Enlightenment https://www.electricalenlightenment.com/
Local colleges and trade schools

NECA offers in-person and virtual classes https://www.necanet.org/education/edu...
IEC Local IEC chapters - https://www.ieci.org/find-chapter

MEMBERSHIPS / TRADESHOWS
========================
NATIONAL:
NECA https://www.necanet.org/
IEC https://www.ieci.org/
ABC https://www.abc.org/

REGIONAL:
IEC https://www.ieci.org/find-chapter
MECA (MA) https://www.mecanews.com/
The Electrical Association of Philadelphia https://eap.org/
North Central Electrical League https://www.ncel.org/

BID LEAD SOURCES
========================
BidClerk https://www.bidclerk.com/
CDC News https://www.cdcnews.com/LeadManagerPlus
The Blue Book https://www.thebluebook.com/
Construct Connect https://projects.constructconnect.com/
Dodge Lead Center https://www.construction.com/projects/

Vision InfoSoft Youtube Channel    / visioninfosoft  

Questions? Visit https://visioninfosoft.com , or email [email protected] , or call 760-579-0334.