General FAQs
What is electrical estimating software?
Electrical estimating software, or electrical bidding software, is a tool that saves you time and helps you estimate by automatically calculating labor and material costs, streamlining the process and increasing accuracy.
What are labor units?
Material labor units represent the estimated amount of labor required to install a material item. Labor units include normal material handling; drawing study, measurement and layout; material installation; and normal non-productive labor. Install time is based on what a typical trained and experienced journeyman electrician will complete in good jobsite conditions. It is assumed that the installer can read plans and specifications, has the ability to lay out the work to code and is operating under good jobsite working conditions. To adjust for variable jobsite and install conditions labor factor is used.
What is labor burden?
Labor burden is the direct cost associated with an employee that is above and beyond their hourly pay. Examples of employee burden are: State Unemployment Tax Act (SUTA), Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA), workman’s compensation insurance, employer paid cell phone, vacation pay, holiday pay and other paid benefits. Labor burden costs can be added to the employees hourly rate by a percentage or by fixed dollar amount.
What are assemblies?
Assemblies are a collection of materials and labor units that make up one unit. For example: an MC cable receptacle assembly contains the box, plaster ring, ground pigtail, wire nuts, MC cable, MC connector, MC straps, screws, receptacle, cover etc. Assemblies speed up the takeoff process by allowing the estimator to simply ‘count’ symbols on a plan or count proposed opening locations. Our prebuilt assemblies can be used as is or copied and customized. You can also build your own custom assemblies to fit your specific needs.
What is labor factor?
Labor factors are conditions that affect labor productivity. For example it takes longer to install conduit in an occupied and finished space than it does to install conduit in an unoccupied and unfinished space. Labor factor can also be used to account for additional install time needed for less experienced electricians. There is no universal labor unit that can be applied to every installation condition so it is important when you estimate you make labor factor adjustments to accommodate specific job conditions.
What is overhead?
Overhead refers to expenses associated with running your business that can’t be linked to a product or service. Overhead includes both direct costs applied to a specific job as well as indirect costs which include operational costs required to run the business. Examples of overhead are: rent, internet, utility and software. Overhead can be added as a percentage to line item cost like labor and material totals, direct job and miscellaneous expenses. Overhead is typically applied as a percentage ahead and calculated ahead of profit. For example: Labor Cost Total x Overhead = Subtotal
Support FAQs
Does Electric Ease support stop after the three training levels are complete?
Not at all! You can work with your Success Account Manager or our live support team to get any questions answered.
What if I need help outside of normal business hours?
Our hours are 8 am to 5 pm CST Monday through Friday, but never hesitate to email questions! Your Success Account Manager or another member of our support team will respond to your email as soon as possible during regular business hours.
How do I get the most out of my support time?
Our recommendation to all new members is to get into Electric Ease and use it! If you have any questions about the functionality of the software your Success Account Manager will be able to assist.
Do I pay for training and support?
JumpStart training and live support are included in your membership! If you would like in-person training by one of our in-house consultants additional fees will apply.
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