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Electrical Estimating Services

Electrical Estimating Experts with 40+ Years of Experience

The electrical estimating service that contractors trust to consistently win more projects and earn higher profit margins.

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You Don't Need a Full-Time Estimator.

You Need a Full-Time Estimating Company.

In today's fast-paced construction industry, having a dedicated full-time estimator on staff may not meet the demand for your growing electrical contracting business. If you want to win more bids, partner with a full-time electrical estimating company with a track-record of success. By outsourcing your estimating needs to Astra Estimating, you can ensure that you receive accurate and timely bids for your projects without the overhead costs and management responsibilities of an in-house team.

Electrical estimator reviewing project drawings

We can assist as a full-replacement solution or assisting your current estimators when they're overloaded or working on a bid outside their comfort zone.

Astra Estimating stays current with the latest industry trends, technology, and regulations, ensuring that your bids remain relevant and competitive in the ever-changing electrical landscape. We make winning bids simple. With over 40+ years of experience, give us a call at 330-633-7300 to get started.

Why Electrical Contractors Choose Astra Estimating

Contractors choose Astra Estimating for their electrical estimating needs because we offer a comprehensive, full-service solution that goes beyond just producing estimates. We are one of the only companies based out of Ohio that offer a full-service estimating, bidding and proposal solution, ensuring our contractors bid and win more.

  1. Relationship Building: At Astra Estimating, we understand the importance of strong relationships in the industry. Our team actively engages with general contractors, suppliers, and other stakeholders on your behalf, fostering connections that can lead to new opportunities and long-term business growth.
  2. A Full-Service Solution: We don't just prepare estimates; we also take care of submitting them for you. Our team ensures that your bids are submitted accurately, on time, and in compliance with all necessary guidelines and requirements, increasing your chances of winning projects.
  3. Following Up: Astra Estimating stays engaged with your bids even after submission. We follow up with general contractors and other stakeholders to gather feedback, address any questions or concerns, and keep you informed about the status of your bids. This proactive approach ensures that you are always in the loop and well-positioned to make informed decisions.

We are a full-service partner dedicated to helping you succeed in the competitive industry. By choosing us, you can trust that your estimating needs will be met with professionalism, expertise, and a commitment to building lasting relationships that contribute to your business's growth and success.

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When to Outsource your Electrical Estimating

Is your company swamped with work, missing bid deadlines, and/or losing bids that you've spent your precious time working on? Whether your team lacks the bandwidth or expertise to handle complex projects, or you're experiencing rapid growth and high demand, we offer tailored estimating solutions to meet your specific needs. By leveraging our specialized knowledge and state-of-the-art technology, we help minimize overhead costs and reduce the risks associated with in-house estimation errors. Partnering with us means improved project efficiency and higher bid-win ratios.

See Our Sample Bids (330) 633-7300

Electrical Estimating Service Packages

Modified Complete

For contractors who only need certain tasks or portions of the estimate complete.

  • For contractors who only need certain tasks or portions of the estimate completed
  • Where you can select exactly the services you need from the Complete Package list

Assist Take-Off

We submit material counts, pricing and an estimate of all labor and material needed.

  • We first submit fixture, gear, equipment, and material counts for quoted Items to you for your vendors to quote
  • Next, Labor hours for each and every item is calculated
  • Also, system material pricing on each item is finalized
  • We give you a detailed estimate of all labor and material needed
  • Finally, you finish the bid by adding in vendor quotes, labor rates, final markup and submit your proposal to your bidders

Astra Complete

Full-package with a detailed estimate and us representing your company to the GC.

  • Astra provides you with a complete and detailed estimate
  • 1 - We track down all the GC's bidding the project
  • 2- We call and build relationships with GC's representing your company
  • 3 - We submit fixture, gear, equipment, and material counts for quoted Items to directly to your vendors
  • 4 - We review and closeout the complete bid with your company
  • 5 - We prepare a bid proposal with all includes and excludes of your estimate
  • 6 - We submit your bid estimate to all bidding GC's from the bidders list
  • 7 - We call for bid results and track the estimates progress
  • In conclusion, we then help negotiate the win for your company

Most contractors running crews of ten or fewer choose Astra Complete, because they are already wearing every hat in the building. In fact, 98 percent of our customers choose the Complete package. Assist Take-Off fits shops with an in-house estimator who just needs the counts.

Electrical Estimating Software We Use

We use industry-leading software to give you the best odds of winning your bid.

Accubid estimating softwareElectrical Bid Manager softwareConEst IntelliBid softwareMcCormick estimating software

How our Electrical Estimating Services Work

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Our Client Reviews

Awarded the First Job I Gave Them

“The service was excellent. I was awarded the first job I have to Astra. They are kind, professional, and thorough. I am very happy with the service”

Judd Stephenson

LCS Electric

Great Experience

“We could not be happier with the decision to use your services. Our relationship over the past four plus years has continued to grow and I would recommend using Astra for your estimating. Astra is a part of our team and it has been a great experience for our company.“

Joe Nardini

Owner of Gilligan & Nardini Electrical Contractors

Could Not Be Happier

“Mark I could not be happier with you and your team. Since I started using your services my bid wins have doubled and I have won 2 out of 7 bids so far which have totaled $412,000.00 in revenue. It is difficult when bidding to general contractors on the open bid market, however your team makes it so easy because of their knowledge, professionalism and how helpful they always are. You guys are Johnny on the spot with whatever I need and can’t thank you enough. My last project I won will be the Best Job I have had all year long and will make some really good money on it. I wear all the hats in my business and using your estimating services removes several of those very heavy hats. I am more than satisfied and wished I would have tried you sooner.”

John McNulty

McNulty Electric, Inc.

An Incredible Partner for Our Electrical Company

“Astra Estimating has been an incredible partner for our electrical company. We rely on them for larger projects that require detailed counts and accurate quoting, and they always deliver. Their team is extremely helpful, easy to work with, and consistently prompt with communication. They offer insight, solutions, and suggestions that genuinely help us approach each project more efficiently. Highly recommend Astra Estimating to any contractor looking for dependable, high-quality estimating support.”

Jeff Fino

Fino Electric

Measurable Results

“Mark, I have never in my life made so much money on a single job like the one you and your team estimated and won for my company. I will make over $1,000,000 by the end of this project… I have been using Mark and his team of estimators for over seven years now and I would recommend them to any company that is in need of an estimator. If you want measurable results that will help your company grow and win more bids effectively while also staying profitable, then I would highly recommend using them for any of your estimating needs. Give Mark and his team of estimators a try, you will be overjoyed with the results!”

Dirk Walton

Owner of Kal Electric

More Than a Decade of Success

“I have used Astra for more than a decade from small projects to large with success. They do a great job in communicating with us thru the take off and bid process. There take offs have been as accurate as our own staff and they are accessible beyond the bidding stage to support any needs we have during the project. It is nice to have support beyond our own expertise that can bring options for success as their combined staff covers many years of experience and variety's of work .”

Dirk Walton

Owner of Kal Electric

Over $1.15 Million Won in Three Years

“From the very first job, we have always made money with the jobs that you have estimated for us.”

“At the beginning I was skeptical. I didn't think it would work... I can honestly say, from the very first job, we have always made money with the jobs that you have estimated for us... When we were trying to bid jobs in-house, we were probably twenty to one. So winning one in four makes it well worthwhile... I can take what would have been twenty, thirty, forty hours and turn it into a two to three hour review and submit a bid... There is no way I could hire a mechanical estimator, a plumbing estimator, and an HVAC or electrical estimator and be able to afford it at the stage we are right now... There is no way that we could be where we are today without what you guys have done. And now I would not be without it.”

  • $1.15M+ Won in 3 Years
  • 1-in-4.2 Win Ratio
  • 10-Year Astra Client

Art Graves

Clearwater Construction (Livonia, Michigan)

Won a Project on our First Bid with Astra

“Mark, we contacted you and your team because we could not handle all the bids internally in-house. Since we started working with you we have bid 4 projects and currently working on the 5th. We have won 2, lost 1 and still we are in the running for 4th project. The very first project you bid for us we won and it totaled over $1,250,000 of new revenue for our company. The second project we bid with you and your team we won and it totaled $600,000 in new revenue. Currently your services have generated over $1,850,000 of new revenue for our company and the project we are still in the running for will be over $2,300,000. I have to say we could not be happier with you and your team of professionals, you have met and sometimes go far beyond any of our expectations. I highly recommend using your services to anyone needing help with estimating or getting out more bids.”

Gary Gulu

Owner of Gulu Electrical Contractors

An 80 to 90 Percent Win Rate

“Some of the best estimators I've ever had the pleasure to work with, I have an 80 to 90% win right and all the projects they have been for me have come in under budget. Great people.”

Byron Westerfield

Westerfield Electric

56% Win Rate with Astra

“Before I started using your Estimating Services our win verses loss averages were not very good. We would only win about 1 in every 20 commercial project estimates in the competitive open bid market. We are now at a 56% win average from using Astra Estimating Services which is far better than the disappointing 5% we were previously getting from estimating on our own. We have been using your company for a little over a year now and we do not estimate a lot of bids simply because we don’t need to. Since we started using your company, we have won 5 jobs and only lost 9 plus we are still waiting to hear on 3 additional projects which we believe we have a good shot at winning. With the 5 projects Astra has already won, the results totaled $819,781.41 and we could not be happier with our decision to use your estimating services. If anyone is on the fence about using Astra Estimating Services, please have them personally call me so I can tell them first hand your estimating services works and it will be one of the best decisions they could make for their company.”

Rich Girard

Owner of Girard Electric

Art Graves, Clearwater Construction: 10 Years with Astra

Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC contractor. $1.15M+ won in three years.

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(330) 633-7300 See More Testimonials

Get Your Project Priced

Tell us a little about your project. An estimator will get back to you fast.

No estimate is ever shared with another contractor. Every project is on a first come first serve basis.

Speak with an Estimator (330) 633-7300

The Astra 5 Point Method

Have you heard of the 80/20 rule? Estimating is only 20 percent of winning a bid in the competitive open bid market. Most contractors, and most estimating firms, focus all their energy on that 20 percent. We built our whole service around the other 80: choosing the right jobs, building relationships with the GCs, tracking results, and negotiating the win. You pay for the estimating. The rest comes with it, because it is how we keep you winning, and winning is how we keep you as a customer.

  1. Numbers Analysis. Before we price anything, we work from your numbers: your overhead, your breakeven point, your labor rate and burden, your profit target. If you do not know those rates, we show you how to find them. A bid built on someone else's numbers is a guess wearing a suit.
  2. Project Qualification. We help you choose jobs you can actually win AND make money on. Example: if your breakeven is 55 dollars an hour and the market history on a project type shows it goes at 45, we will call you and tell you not to bid it, because you would be upside down before the first day of work. The next job, where the market allows 65, is the one worth your bid.
  3. Relationship Building. We track down the full bidders list so your bid reaches every GC bidding the project, then we call each one, as your company, to build the relationship and make you their new favorite. We win more second-place jobs than first because of these relationships.
  4. Professional Estimating. Every estimate is taken off piece by piece, so your company can job cost against it and know exactly where the money is. Scope letter with includes and excludes, quoted items to your suppliers, everything reviewed with you before bid day. Your letterhead, your name. No one ever knows you bid with an outside estimating company.
  5. Results and Bid Tracking. We call for bid results and track them so patterns form, then we work the negotiation for you, with your approval on every number. We get bid results about 80 percent of the time. Most contractors never find out why they lost. Our customers do.

Start Winning More Bids

Start winning more bids with Astra Estimating, your partner in transforming the way you approach electrical projects. We offer more than just expert estimating services; our comprehensive solutions help you track, follow up, and negotiate each project to ensure you're always putting your best foot forward. Our focus is not only to help you prepare winning bids but also to ensure that your projects remain profitable and sustainable. By partnering with Astra Estimating, you can boost your win ratio and make every bid count, so you never have to question the purpose of your efforts. Join the thousands of successful contractors that have won their bids with Astra.

Why bid if you're not winning? Give us a call today at (330) 633-7300 for your no-obligation free quote and consultation.

Call (330) 633-7300

The Importance of Follow-Up

Post-negotiation follow-up can make or break your deal.

Want to know what really makes the difference between deals that soar and those that sink? It’s the follow-through that counts. Just like in construction estimating, the real work starts after the initial plans are drawn.

At Astra Estimating, we’ve helped hundreds of contractors turn successful negotiations into long-term partnerships. Our team knows that winning bids is just the start – it’s how you handle what comes next that builds real business value.

Learn more about our follow-up and negotiation support

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Electrical Estimating FAQ

Can I see some sample bids?

Sure! You can find a list of our sample bids, estimates and proposals here: https://www.astraestimating.com/sample-bids/

Do you service my area?

Yes. Even though our main office is located in Ohio, our team of estimators is located all across America.

What's the pricing for Astra Estimating services?

It all depends on the job and the size of the project. After we receive your plans we'll send over a cost quote that you can either approve or deny.

How do I get started?

Either fill out a contact form to schedule a call or call us at 330-633-7300.

Which estimating package should I go for?

It entirely depends on your needs. Do you just need help with a certain task or part of your estimate? Then try our Modified Complete Package. Do you need just a take off done? Check out our Assist Take-Off package. Do you need a full estimating solution? Then check out our Astra Complete package.

My bid is due soon, can you help me?

The sooner you reach out to us, the quicker we can assist you. Either fill out a contact form or give us a call at 330-633-7300.

How our Pricing Works

Once you choose an electrical estimating service package, we will then quote your company the total cost to prepare the estimate for you.

We Quote You the Hours

1 We quote you the amount of hours to complete the estimate based on the project and services you selected.

You Approve the Cost Quote

2 After reviewing and approving the hours quoted to complete the estimate, we start the estimating process.

Modified Complete

3 You can accept and we will then start the estimate or you can also pass on the project and choose a different one.

The first question everyone asks is what we cost per hour. We challenge that question, because the real measurement is not what an estimator costs per hour. It is what it costs you to win a job. A cheap estimator who wins you one job in fifteen is the most expensive estimator you can hire.

Here is how it works: you send the project, we quote you the hours to complete the estimate, and nothing starts until you approve. You never pay for overage hours unless we give you the reason, like a mid-bid addendum, and you approve them.

Any fool can win you an estimate. You can win jobs all day long and lose money on every one of them. Our job is winning you work, making sure you make money on the work we win you, and making it affordable. And we make it affordable because our win rates are what make it affordable: it is not what an estimator costs per hour, it is what it costs you to win a job.

How We Improve your Win Ratio: It All Starts with your Numbers

Most contractors price overhead as a percentage of the job. Ten percent for overhead, ten percent for profit, done. Here is the problem: overhead is not consumed by contract dollars. It is consumed by TIME. Your trucks, your insurance, your office, your software: they cost the same for every hour your crew works, whether the contract is big or small. Watch what that does to two real-world bids.

A Worked Example

Illustrative numbers, not a rate quote.

Line item Job A ($50,000 project)Job B ($200,000 project)
Job total $50,000 $200,000
Who supplies material + fixture and gear package Owner You
Labor hours 1,000 1,000
Overhead by the 10% method $5,000 $20,000
Real overhead at $10 per hour × 1,000 hrs $10,000 $10,000
Result by the percentage method Short $5,000 — your 'profit' was overhead. You won a loser. Overpriced by $10,000 — you likely lose the bid.
Result by the hourly rate Priced right — you know this job can't carry your cost, so you pass or price it honestly. WIN: add $8,000 profit on top of your 10% and STILL come in $2,000 under the percentage bidders.

The Percentage Method: wins the wrong jobs and loses money on them.

Declining chart crashing into a broken dollar sign

The Hourly Rate: wins the right jobs with the profit still in them.

Win checked, lose unchecked

Labor is where all the risk is. Materials get quoted; labor gets estimated. That is why we recommend pricing overhead as an hourly rate, not a percentage: it stays consistent across every project size, and it lets you see instantly whether a job can carry your real cost of doing business.

It matters more than most contractors realize, because the overhead a market will bear changes with the project type.

Restaurants, retail, and national chains are brutally competitive: low market overhead, low average labor rates, and full of bidders who do not know their numbers.

Medical office buildings, office buildings, and hospitals allow for higher overhead and higher average labor rates with thinner competition.

Once we run your numbers analysis, we can tell you which types of projects your company can actually win AND make money on, and steer your bidding there. If you have options, go after the jobs where you are competitive, profitable, and likely to win. That is the whole game.

Want to know what your real overhead rate is? That conversation is free.

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Why Electrical Contractors Choose Astra Estimating

Rated 5 out of 5

We are a nationwide professional estimating services company located in Tallmadge, Ohio. Over the past 25+ years we have worked with large and small Electric Contractors Nationwide.

We prepare all types of projects in commercial, industrial and public utility field. We are also experienced in handling projects in the residential field if requested.

We are not your average estimating company. The clients we work with understand implementing successful strategies do not happen over night. Long term solutions require time, professional instruction and a client open to discovering new solutions that get real results.

We are one of the largest independent estimating services in the country. Our estimators do one thing, estimating, 365 days a year, each in their own trade. They are not juggling project management, supplier orders, and payroll between takeoffs, which is exactly why in-house accuracy is so hard to match.

Learn More

Talk to an Electrical Estimating Expert Today

Speak with an Electrical Estimator Now: (330) 633-7300

No estimate is ever shared with another contractor. Every project is on a first come first serve basis.

The Win Ratio Is the Whole Game

Most contractors come to us winning one job in every fifteen or twenty bids. Our goal path is simple: get you to one win in five bids quickly, then push toward two in five, and with bid tracking and relationships working, three in five.

Industry Standard

Before Astra: most contractors win 1 in 15 to 1 in 20 bids. That is a 5 to 7 percent win rate.

1 in 5 = 20%

our customers typically get here quickly

2 in 5 = 40%

where we push next

3 in 5 = 60%

where bid tracking and relationships take you

Winning 1 in 5 instead of 1 in 20 does not just mean more work. It means every dollar you spend bidding buys four times the revenue.

“Before I started using your Estimating Services our win verses loss averages were not very good. We would only win about 1 in every 20 commercial project estimates in the competitive open bid market. We are now at a 56% win average from using Astra Estimating Services which is far better than the disappointing 5% we were previously getting from estimating on our own.”

Rich Girard Owner of Girard Electric

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Related Electrical Estimating Topics

Schedule a Free Estimating Strategy Session

Ten minutes on the phone. Real answers about your bids. Pick your time below and we call you.

  • 40+ Years of Experience
  • Nationwide Estimating
  • Rated 5 out of 5

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The 10 Min Estimator Phone Meeting

I will answer any questions you have and quickly go over how our service works. I will call at the number you provided at the scheduled time.

Astra Independent Estimator
  1. Pick your time in the scheduler.
  2. An estimator calls you at that number.
  3. Ten minutes. Your questions, straight answers, and a plan for your next bid.

Estimators, Not Salespeople

We are a professional estimating services company located in Tallmadge, Ohio. Over the past 25+ years we have worked with large and small Electric, Plumbing and HVAC Contractors Nationwide.

We are not your average estimating company. The clients we work with understand implementing successful strategies do not happen over night. Long term solutions require time, professional instruction and a client open to discovering new solutions that get real results.

Rather Talk Right Now?

CONTACT US

For immediate help call:
(330)-633-7300

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View our sample bids

No estimate is ever shared with another contractor.
Every project is on a first come first serve basis.