Estimating tool
An elemental build-up with the disciplines behind a defensible number: estimate-class accuracy ranges, compound escalation to midpoint, a named risk register instead of a padding percentage, and scenario comparison — with the $/SF, $/kW and audit trail to show your work.
The starter rates are placeholders for demonstration only — not market benchmarks. Replace every rate with figures from your own tender returns, then save them. An estimating tool is only as honest as the data behind it.
Sense-checks electrical as a share of total cost.
Enables $/kW density — the metric that governs on mission-critical work.
| In | Element | Rate $/SF | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Net electrical construction cost | — | — |
1.00 = your benchmark base city.
Annual rate for electrical scope.
Compounds: (1+r)^(months/12).
Design development allowance — scale to estimate class.
Bidder appetite, thin markets, risk premium.
| Named risk | Prob % | Impact $ | Expected | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Risk contingency (Σ probability × impact) | $0 |
Expected value = probability × impact. A simple deterministic register — the honest floor of QRA. For funded confidence levels (P80/P90), run a full Monte Carlo with your risk team.
Canadian systems: 120/208, 347/600.
Used for HP only (1 HP = 746 W input ÷ efficiency).
I = P ÷ (V × PF) single-phase · I = P ÷ (√3 × V × PF) three-phase · P(W) = HP × 746 ÷ efficiency
Calculated full-load current for planning. Conductor sizing, breaker selection and motor protection are CEC design tasks — verify against nameplate data and code tables.
Sets a starting density and mech & plumbing share — both editable.
Overall connected density for the building type. Replace with your own benchmark.
e.g. ~30% is a typical planning share for an office building. Varies by type.
Total load = GFA × density · M&P load = total × share% · I = kVA × 1000 ÷ (√3 × V) three-phase
A planning-level allocation for early cost and capacity checks — not a CEC Section 8 demand calculation. Equipment schedules govern once the mechanical design exists.
Lux is lumens per square metre. 1 fc ≈ 10.76 lux. Presets indicative — IES recommendations govern.
≈ 2,153 SF
Coefficient of utilization · light loss factor.
Total lumens needed = lux × area(m²) ÷ (CU × LLF) · fixtures = total lumens ÷ lumens per fixture · achieved lux and W/m² recalculated from the rounded count
Lumen-method planning estimate for uniform general lighting. Photometric layout, glare and uniformity are lighting-design tasks — this sizes the budget, not the ceiling grid.
This gives indicative conductor sizes so you can price cable, containment and terminations. Final conductor selection, derating, protection coordination and installation method are design tasks governed by the Canadian Electrical Code and must be done by a qualified designer. Do not build from this output.
CEC guidance: 3% branch, 5% total.
| Design current (full-load) | — |
| × load factor (continuous) | — |
| Required ampacity after derating | — |
| Size by ampacity | — |
| Size by voltage drop | — |
| Governing size | — |
| Voltage drop at this size | — |
Voltage drop: 1-ph, VD = 2·I·L·ρ / A · 3-ph, VD = √3·I·L·ρ / A (ρ = 0.0175 Cu, 0.028 Al Ω·mm²/m)
Ampacities used are indicative planning values for 90°C insulated conductors. They are not a substitute for CEC Tables 2 and 4, and the derating factors offered here are simplified. Verify everything against the code and the installation method before any figure leaves your desk as design.