Lighting Takeoff We suggest that you perform the lighting takeoff first. It is often the first page of the drawings past the site pages. The Lighting Quote usually takes the longest to return, so by performing it first, it gives the Supply House ample time to receive completive pricing. I suggest the use of a takeoff sheet. The Electrical Solutions Takeoff Sheet is a great tool for this purpose. I start each estimate the same way every time. By creating a systematic approach to estimating, it insures that items are not left out. Start off by copying the lighting Tags, as listed on the lighting schedule, onto the takeoff sheet. Later, we will discuss the use of Digital Takeoff software, like the Digi Count Takeoff Pro, that eliminates the use of paper plans and improves accuracy. I suggest using a series of highlighters and a hand held counter, thumb clicker or tally counter. As you start with the first Tag, choose a color. Place a colored mark beside the Tag on the lighting Schedule and color the light as you count. It is advantageous to count all of one TAG before moving to another. Depending on the size of the project, you may elect to tally each floor or phase separately. For example: 14 You may count 100 – A-Lights on the First Floor E1 and, 100-A lights on the Second Floor E2, and 100-A-Lights on the 3rd Floor E3. It may look like the following example: By breaking down a project into smaller phases, it accomplishes multiple advantages. By breaking down the estimate into floors or phases, it allows you to breakdown your labor into floors or phases. This makes labor tracking much more effective. If you just have total Man-Hours allotted for all of the light fixtures on a particular project, it may not be obvious if you are on target with the time allowed to install the lights until it is too late to correct. By knowing the man hours and number of light fixtures per floor, it not only helps you when stocking the floors with fixtures, but also makes labor tracking more manageable. When creating your counts, not all tags may be used or certain fixtures may not be clearly marked. If in question, send and Request for Information ASAP. It is also a good practice to have your supply house send you their counts if they have performed a lighting takeoff to verify your counts are correct. After you have counted the lighting tags and created your request for lighting quote, be sure to include all bulbs and hangers necessary to install the fixtures. Another good note to include is: All substitutes must meet the specifications or be corrected at the cost of the supplier. Most lighting packages are not quoted as specified. It should be the responsibility of the Supply House to make sure that the engineer will accept the alternate lighting package as equal. TIP: Create your own code of difficulty to identify the labor difficulty of each fixture. Example: A. S=Standard—Troffers installed in a lay in ceiling 9’ tall or less. 15 B. M=Moderate—Recessed lights install
