Transmision line construction

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Transmission Line
Construction
Technical Paper
ESTIMATE THE COST OF
submitted by Mario A. Marchio, CPE
What successful Cost Estimators know. . . . and you should, too.
AN ESTIMATOR’S GUIDE TO POLICIES,
PROCEDURES, AND STRATEGIES
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
Mario A. Marchio, CPE is the Manager of
Estimating in an Electric and Gas Transmission
/ Distribution Company located in Waltham,
Massachusetts. Mr. Marchio’s career began as a
residential builder before attaining his bachelors
degree in Construction Management and then
moving on to estimating positions at Modern
Continental Construction, Kiewit Construction,
and Cashman Construction. Mario also owned
and operated Encompass Construction Inc.,
his own Commercial / Real Estate development
construction company for the last ten years.
Today,heisamemberofASPEchapter25andalso
an active member of PMI, whilst working on his
master’s degree in Power Systems Management
at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
1) Introduction
2) Types and Methods of Measurements
3) Specific Factors That Affect Take-off & Pricing
4) Overview of Labor, Materials, Equipment,
Indirect Costs, & Approach to Markup
5) Special Risk Considerations
6) Ratios and Analysis
7) Misc. Pertinent Information
8) Sample Sketches
9) Sample Takeoff & Pricing Sheets
10) Glossary of Terms
11) References
December 2011

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Estimate the Cost of: TRANSMISSION LINE CONSTRUCTION
1. Introduction
Thistechnicalpaperisintendedtoprovide
the reader with a general understanding
of performing professional construction
estimating services as they relate to the
cost of Transmission Line construction.
Thisspecificallyreferstotheinstallationof
transmission structures. The installation
of these structures and poles can vary
in difficulty depending on location,
accessibility, seasonality, and proximity to
urban cities, roads, and waterways. The
estimator has to be aware of a multitude
of factors that can greatly affect a cost
estimate for this particular section of the
utility construction industry.
Main CSI (2004) Division
Division 33 00 00 Utilities
Main CSI (2004) Subdivisions
33 71 13 23 - Electrical Utility Towers
33 71 13 23 - Utility Poles
Brief Description
Theauthorwilldiscusstherequirements
of the Construction Estimator to review
the plans and specifications, to perform a
scope of work review, to perform quality
takeoffs, to compile all direct and indirect
costs, and to factor all of these items into
a cost estimate using production rates and
cost adders that reflect the challenges
inherenttotheinstallationofstructuresfor
transmission. The paper will be presented
from the point of view of an Estimator
who is preparing a Prime, or General
Contract bid, as opposed to the view of
a subcontractor or material supplier. It is
assumed that the plans and specifications
have been prepared to the level of
Construction Documents (Final Design)
by the project’s engineers. These projects
are typically bid as unit price contracts
rather than as lump sum contracts (in
part due to regulatory requirements).
The contractor provides a unit price to
quantities established by the engineer,
and the extended prices are all summed
to determine an overall contract amount.
These amounts are typically reimbursed
by the utility provider’s customer base in
bill rates when dealing with Transmission
and Distribution providers.
2. Types of Methods
of Measurements
Power Transmission Structure takeoffs
include several components, including
site preparation (clearing, tree removals,
trimming,andaccessroadbuilding)which
can be measured either by LUMP SUM
or SQ YD; foundation excavation by CUB
YD; backfill by the CUB YD or TON; rock
coring by the LF; foundation forms such
as metal culverts by LF based on diameter
and shape; steel pole and/or wood pole
assembly and install by EA; Insulators by
EA; Hardware by EA; Matting by the LF;
other components such as guy’s, shield
wire, and conductor can by measured by
the LF or CIRCUIT MILE if running long
distances.
Transmission structures are typically
located in cleared, maintained right-of-
ways that usually cut through remote,
sometimes mountainous terrain due to
the hardships of securing land rights in
prime rural and urban areas. The clearing
of and trimming of trees and vegetation
by forestry crews are typically based on
a lump sum or sq yd removal cost basis
and are a first step if the specific install
calls for it. These removal locations
are designated on T-sheets (plan and
profile planning documents) which also
include access locations, wetlands, rails,
waterways, and roadways. All of these
must be taken into consideration and are
usually reflected with a lump sum cost
for additional resource requirements in
the estimate. The areas’ of clearing can
be scaled off and quantified from these
sheets for pricing of bidding quantities.
Accessroads and laydown yard quantities
can be quantified in the same manner.
Both can be measured by sq yd, cu yd,
or tonnage of materials required. One
important consideration regarding the
items above are the equipment costs
involved in some of the highly specialized
machinery utilized in certain geographic
locations. These pieces of equipment
are either charged by the day, month, or
even year.
Excavation spoils for the transmission
structure foundations require cubic
yardage or tonnage measurements.
The foundation requirements for a
particular structure can be found in
engineering documents and identify
the structures foundation length, width,
diameter, and depth. This specification
in turn allows the estimator to quantify
the cu yd or tonnage of soils removal
utilizing the correct formula. It allows
the estimator to calculate the structures
back fill materials in cu yd or tonnage if a
concrete foundation will not be utilized.
To do this, the estimator will deduct
the embedded poles circumference
multiplied by the depth of embedment
from the metal culvert form’s total cu yd
holdings calculation. Other factors to
consider whilst costing excavation and
backfill for a structure are equipment
requirements, location, ground
conditions, ledge, and contamination.
Concretefoundationsfortransmission
structures, as explained above, are
specified in engineering documents
which call out lengths, widths,
depths, diameters, concrete strength
requirements,andreinforcingpackages.
Concrete for foundations is priced by
the cu yd, psi requirement, and varies
from region to region. An estimator
can pull the desired measurements
from the engineering documents and
quantify by cu yd measurements. A
quote from a regional supplier can
then be supplied who is located within
the closest proximity to the install
locations. Access plays a major role in
the transmission structures foundation
cost. Obviously, a concrete pour off the
side of the road would cost much less
than a pour on a steep mountainside
due to access issues. The cost of a
concrete pour increases dramatically
as the trucks are forced to work their
way down a matted road or if pumping
is required. This factor is usually
covered in the estimate by the use of a
cost multiplier for location issues. For
example: a typical pour requires 32
man-hours at $100 per hour totaling
$3,200. Material costs = $1,000. The
total is $4,200 but then a cost multiplier
of 30% or 1.30 is applied bringing the
total cost to $5,460 for that particular
foundation. Rebar is quantified by the
ton or by each and like foundations,
are typically found in the structures
engineering documents.
The power transmission structure
install itself is measured by each.
Standard structure types have usually
already been pre-established by the
local utility co. and are designated in
standards (engineering documents).
The estimator shall use both a
combination of the standards and
T-sheets to determine the various
types and quantities of structures and
associated materials. The estimator
will determine whether a steel lattice
structure, steel pole(s), wood pole(s),
and/or a combination thereof shall be
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used. Different production rates will
apply to the different structures based
on voltages carried by the conductors
and hardware above. Typically, a higher
voltage line indicates that a taller, larger
structure will be utilized indicating
more man-hours than a lower voltage
line. The estimator will account for
the correct equipment and crew rates
by man-hour, crew-hour, and rental or
internal equipments charges by the
hour, day, week, or month. Material
costs for structures shall be measured
as each (steel member, poles) and the
estimator will take careful precaution to
account for escalation in the sometimes
volatile metals market when taking off
steel structures.
Other quantifications the estimator
must consider when conducting
his structure install are insulators,
hardware packages, guy and shield
wire, and conductor. These are usually
compiled as an each, lf, or circuit mile
measurement. Also, support services
such as police details, flagmen, testing,
signage, site-restoration, and swamp
matting all play integral roles in the
transmission structure estimate.
3. Specific Factors
that affect Takeoff
and Pricing
Small Quantities
vs. Large Quantities
It is typical that larger transmission
structure install projects will have an
overall lower construction unit (cu)
cost than smaller projects due to a
multitude of factors. Firstly, a large and
costly item in structure installs are the
costs associated with mobilization and
demobilization. On a larger project, the
mobilization and demobilization dollars
are spread more efficiently due to
the equipment and resources already
being on site. The cost of materials
can generally be lower as well on larger
jobs due to the bulk savings aspect of
large quantity purchases. The installer
will usually get a better deal on the
purchase of 100 steel poles vs. 1 pole.
Indirect and overhead costs can also be
lessened due to the greater efficiency
achieved by the resources on site due
to the greater production rates involved
when set at one site for a longer period
vs. continually having to relocate.
Geographic Location
As mentioned earlier, the geographic
locations of a transmission structures’
cost can double, triple, or quadruple
depending on its install location. The
location of install of a wood structure in
a right-of-way off the side of the road will
cost significantly less than a three pole
steel structure installed on a steep, rocky,
mountainside. Also, a steel pole install
located in the middle of a swamp or
waterway will cost significantly more than
a steel pole install on a rolling hillside.
There will be higher costs associated with
trucking, material delivery, availability,
and resourcing when dealing with remote
install locations. A helicopter may be
required to bring men and equipment to
some of these remote locations. Safety
may also become an issue when an injury
occurs and the closest hospital isn’t easily
accessible to the remote nature of the
location.
Seasonal Effect on Work
This area of the utility industry is greatly
affectedbytheimpactsofseasonalclimate
change on the production rates of labor,
equipment, and material issues. Winter
months inflict additional hardships and
costs with soil freezing, snow coverage
of work areas, and de-icing of materials
and machinery. Concrete, which is a vital
aspect of the install, needs additional
dollars allocated for protection, heating,
and chemical adders? Rain also causes
work to come to a standstill. Due to the
inherently dangerous characteristics of
electricity, crews and equipment come
to complete stop when rain or sleet
falls. Excessive heat can cause safety
and material concerns as well. Labor
agreements with local unions generally
have clauses that if the temperature
reaches 100 degrees, work must stop if
the safety and well being of the men is at
stake. Another seasonal issue that affects
structure installs is work stoppages due
to outage restrictions. Outage dates have
to be calculated well in advance for the
peak loads in winter and summer months
due to heating and cooling loads. The
estimator must make sure to account for
Time-not-Worked dollars when required.
Special Conditions
Affecting Transmission
Structure Installations
Firstly, the extremely dangerous
characteristics of electrical transmission
structure installations require that
the utility conducting the installation
follows a company safety procedure.
Typically, a company safety procedure
should reference Federal (OSHA) and
local governing regulations regarding
health and safety of the workforce. This
trade is particularly subject to many
extremes and dangers that others aren’t
and therefore safety exists as a special
condition. Secondly, the next condition
the estimator must consider is the
location of the install. As mentioned
before, a plethora of hardships may
ensue depending on the engineers,
typically restricted allowance, of install
locations. Due to the reality of right-
of-way issues and on-going land owner
court proceedings, utility companies
continually have to locate their structures
in remote, hard to access, right-of-ways.
The location of the install has to be
looked at in terms of accessibility, terrain,
wetlands, and subsurface characteristics.
The accessibility to a right-of-way can
be a critical cost factor. Many times,
structure access may only accessible by
crossing land owners property that a
utility company possesses an easement
to with the municipality and/or owner.
Owners, although agreeing to some
type of monetary compensation for this
use, sometimes renege and fight the
utility company’s ability to access their
structures. This can be time consuming
and costly for the utility with court
proceedings or additional monetary
sums that it hadn’t originally anticipated.
Another important variable an estimator
must consider when looking at access is
possible road building requirements. To
access the right-of-way, the utility first
needs an access point which is typically
a dirt, gravel, or sometimes paved road
leading to the r-o-w. These access roads
may pre-exist for a particular project or
will need to be constructed from scratch.
If the project calls for the creation of an
access road, then the estimator must first
determine type and then quantify the
different materials (typically by the ton or
sq yd), labor, and equipment to build the
road. Once the access road is built and is
sufficient to allow for the equipment and
vehicles typically used in the structure
installs, the estimator should calculate
a maintenance cost as well for upkeep
of the access road. Terrain also plays
a critical role in determining the cost
of transmission structure installations.
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If the right-of-way is on smooth, flat,
minimally forested and stoned land in a
rural location, then the estimator would
anticipate maximum production rates
for both crew and equipment. If the
r-o-w is set closer to a more populated,
urban location, the estimator will have
to account for possible existing utilities
before digging and costs associated. Dig
Safe would be notified and if existing
utilities are found at a structure install
location, additional dollars should be
estimated for either re-engineering
new location of structure or workings
around the existing utility. He or she
will also have to determine if additional
conditions exist that may require the use
of police details, storage and lay down
areas (land may have to be rented for
storage purposes), shoring, pedestrian
controls, signage, and working time
restrictions. The advance knowledge of
all these possible conditions should be in
indicated in a bid package and developed
before construction by the project team.
Mountainous terrain presents many
conditions in itself that greatly impact
the final construction cost of a structure
install. When right-of-ways are located
in steep, rocky, mountain terrains many
issuesarisesuchasspecializedequipment
needs (helicopters, track equipment),
lower production rates, material delivery
methods, and increased safety concerns.
Many times, the mountainous r-o-w’s
are located in remote locations which
also incurs the added cost of extra travel
and stay expenses for crews, longer
work days which introduces overtime
due to the time it takes just to get to an
install location, and added engineering
dollars to deal with the complexities of
foundation installs in rock. Rock coring
is another factor that the estimator must
be aware of when pricing work in this
type of terrain. This can be more costly
than installing the structure itself. Again,
the estimator must also be aware of
the time of year the anticipated work is
scheduled to take place. The installation
of a transmission structure located on
a remote mountainside r-o-w already
contains many hardships affecting cost,
but if it is determined that it will be done
in the dead of winter, the estimator must
ensure to capture that additional adder,
whether in the unit cost itself or by
applying a cost multiplier for hardship.
Lastly, the estimator must make himself
or herself well aware of swamp matting
necessities if the project is located in
wetlands. In transmission structure
installs, swamp matting cannot be
overlooked as its requirement could add
major cost. Swamp matting is required
when the r-o-w cuts through swamp or
wetlands. In order to get the equipment
and crews’ necessary to the specified
site, layers of wood matting that are
1’ thick by 4’ long and 16’ wide are laid
down concurrently either in a single mat
or stacked depending on the depth of the
waterlevelatsite. Inmanycasestheuseof
swamp matting is also requested in order
to comply with con-com (conservation
commission) permit requirements for the
preservation of wetlands and indigenous
plants and vegetation. If mats were not
used, the equipments tracks and tires
would destroy many native species of
endangered vegetation. Another concern
that could affect cost when estimating the
installation of a transmission structure in
wetland is the added cost of dewatering
when preparing to excavate, form, and
pour foundations. Dewatering is typically
required when installing a new structure
in wetlands and the estimator must be
well aware of that cost. The T-sheets
typically designate where matting and
possible dewatering may be required.
Matting is typically priced by the linear
foot or lump sum if a sub-contractor
performs, and dewatering can be priced
as a lump sum cost.
Other special concerns and costs when
dealing with the install of transmission
structures are permits (historical,
conservation, state, local, federal
(army core of engineers), Indian tribal
permissions, railroad, and waterway. The
lead time of obtaining these permits is,
and will likely remain, costly and time
consuming in the power utility industry.
In summary, there are a slue of additional
considerationsanestimatormustconsider
when pricing the install of a transmission
structure or structures that can greatly
affect the overall project cost.
4. Overview of Labor,
Material, Equipment,
Indirect Costs, &
Markup
Labor costs are calculated on a man-
hour or crew-hour basis and are typically
determined by the selected union’s
local contract agreement with the utility
company. If union labor is not utilized,
then prevailing wage rates would apply
in most cases. Equipment rates are
calculated either by hourly, daily, weekly,
or monthly rates and/or purchase or
lease costs distributed through the
various capital and maintenance projects
the company manages. Other costs
such as materials, sub-contractor, in-
directs, and markups are categorized as
expenses and are usually a lump sum
total added to the overall labor cost.
Supervision, construction management,
and administration are also sub-totals
that should be calculated independently
in this type of construction. Example 1
(next page) is a typical assembly of crew
and equipment costs associated with the
installation of a transmission structure.
Material costs are based on the
takeoff quantities from engineered
documents and/or a materials list. The
construction estimator will include
waste factors and cost adders as they
deem necessary. Materials handling,
delivery, fuel costs, etc. shall be assessed
on a per project basis. Steel and wood
pole structure quotes shall be obtained
from suppliers (including cross-arms,
bracing). This should include any
specialized weatherization treatment.
Other supplies to consider would also
include gravel, metal culvert forms, wood
or aluminum forms, concrete, rebar, and
hardware. Subcontracting quotations
should be obtained from equipment
rental companies, paving, and rock
coring companies as well. Indirect costs
will need tabulation such as insurance,
bonus, and taxes. Supervision will also
get calculated and all above costs should
be summarized. Another important
aspect of the final total construction
cost is the risk register amount. Due
to the potentially high schedule and
cost impacts certain construction risks
(identified or unidentified) may have,
a risk register, based on percentage of
probability, should be implemented and
contingency dollars captured as part of
the overall construction estimate.
Once all costs have been summarized,
the installation cost can be marked up
for profit a number of different ways.
A power utility company may build a
certain percentage of profit into their
customer’s rates and calculate what
that is based on the dollar value of work
classified as capital projects. This might
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be a forecasted value based on their
capital portfolio. Another means might
be to work in a percentage of profit,
based on the construction value, which is
ultimately rolled up into a lump sum cost
and is then reimbursed directly by the
customer. Either way, profit is worked
in whether it is a large utility or small
conducting the work.
5. Special Risk
Considerations
Installing transmission structures, like
many utility occupations, involves many
risks that an estimator must be aware
of. As stated above, a risk register should
be implemented on all transmission
structure installations to capture the
potential values of encountering those
risks. Some specific risks include:
inclement weather conditions, theft and
vandalism, existing utilities encountered
whilst digging, encountering ledge,
work located in a known flood zone,
ground water encountered, equipment
breakdown, subcontractor failure,
endangered species or wildlife in work-
zone, construction drawings inaccurate,
loss of an outage, material delivered
late, material cost increases, unforeseen
conditions, labor shortages, access
disputes with land owner, and schedule
slippage. When working in steep
mountainous terrain additional risks may
apply such as slower production rates,
longer set up and demobilization times,
and equipment hardships. Working in
proximity to urban areas presents its own
challenges and risks. Here are but a few
to consider: pedestrian injury, damage to
adjacentstructures,damagetosidewalks,
streets, and damage to existing in-ground
utilities. Encountering any of these risks,
if not properly planned for, can result in
the project cost spiraling out of control
and can lead to litigation between parties
which is not uncommon in today’s world.
6. Ratios and Analysis
Transmission structure installations
typically differ from project to project due
to the different structures utilized and
the different conditions of installation.
A construction unit database, based on
historical data of projects complete, is
an effective means of quantifying and
checking the bid. It is good practice for
any utility company, to utilize cost codes
and/or activity codes for the engineering
and construction activities it conducts,
thatwilleffectivelyallowfortherecording
and tracking of data received as projects
are built. It is necessary that a means of
standard deviation is applied to the CU’s
(construction unit) based on standard
deviation over a select time period. The
time period selection for CU’s may vary
from one company to another. Once
the CU method is applied, a cross-check
against an estimator’s takeoff can be
conducted and if any differential of
value exists, it can thusly be evaluated
and examined for harmonizing and
implementation. A good example of a
transmission structure CU is a two-pole
H-Frame Dead End Pull-Off Structure with
cross-bracing, cross-arms, insulators,
and hardware. The CU would include all
labor, equipment, subcontractors, and
material necessary to install this structure
and components. SU’s or “Super Units”
can also be utilized for more high-level
estimates that might be required in the
planning stages of a project. SU’s are an
assembly of CU’s that can provide a quick
and fairly accurate conceptual stage
estimate, with the necessary alignments
being made by the estimator to account
for specific site conditions. Another final
means of testing the estimate after CU or
SU process is applied, would be a project
team review, including the construction
personnel responsible for the building of
said project. This could result in a final
calibration of refined estimate so that it’s
ready for approval.
7. misc. Pertinent
Information
Some other pertinent information
a transmission line estimator must
be aware of are the following: FERC
(Federal Energy Regulatory Commission)
regulatory requirements (tolerance
limits of levels of accuracy), fines when
proposed costs do not fall within those
limits (this is in part due to costs being
spread to the utilities ratepayers, NERC
requirements(NationalEnergyRegulatory
Commission) due to the high level of
importance transmission structures
play in our nation’s infrastructure, ISO
requirements (Independent System
Operator), and PSC/DPU regulations
(Public Service Commission and/or
Dept. of Public Utilities). These are
but a few Federal and State regulating
and governing authorities who closely
monitor and regulate the associated costs
built into the utility company rates which
are ultimately paid by the consumers.
Additional factors an estimator must
consider are specialty labor, material, and
equipmenttrainingcostswhicharetypical
to transmission structure installations,
safety training costs, and sometimes
costs associated with having to deal with
other utilities which may share space on
a transmission or distribution structure
(telephone, cable, cell co’s).
Cost Item QTY. Unit Unit Cost Total Cost
80 ton hydraulic crane 1 week $2,000 $2,000
80 foot bucket truck 2 week $3,000 $3,000
Crane with clamshell bucket 1 week $1,500 $1,500
Rubber Tire Backhoe 1 week $750 $750
Tool Truck 1 week $500 $500
Pickup Truck 1 week $120 $120
Equipment Operator 2 week $2,000 $4,000
C6 Civil Crew 1 week $9,600 $9,600
Foreman 1 week $2,000 $2,000
S8 1st Class Structural Crew 1 week $16,000 $16,000
TOTAL WEEKLY COST $39,470.00
TOATL DAILY COST $7,894.00
December 2011
Example 1. A typical assembly of crew and equipment costs associated with the
installation of a transmission structure.

8. Sample sketches Transmission Sheet Plan
(T-Sheet) and Aerial View
9. Sample take-off & pricing
(Please note that these take-offs are NOT based on
the plans seen in Figure 1 & 2)
14
Section 8 Sample Transmission Sheet Plan (T-Sheet) and Aerial View
Figure 1
This is a transmission sheet (t-sheet) which is a plan view indicating where the new transmission structures are to be
located. There is also an aerial satellite image matching the t-sheet so the estimator gets a realistic view of location
conditions. The t-sheet also includes all the other pertinent information the estimator will need such as: edge of
right-of-way, town line boundaries, contour lines, existing electrical structures, edge of wetland, high water tables,
stream locations, wetland buffer zones, riverfronts, proposed electrical structure, proposed access, matting locations,
structure excavation area, equipment work area, erosion control.
15
Section 9 Sample Transmission Structure Standards
Figure 2 Structure
This is a Transmission Structure Standard which indicates what type of structure and components will be utilized so
that the estimator may accurately takeoff all the various parts and assemblies for that structure. It gives the
estimator a sectional, plan, and isometric view and shows insulator and hardware details. In most cases, a detailed
parts list, as seen here on the right hand side, usually gives an itemized breakdown making the estimator’s life a bit
easier when conducting his/her takeoff. The height and makeup of the structure usually determines the type of
equipment used and whether or not the structure will be assembled on the ground and then craned into place or built
one piece at a time vertically.
The construction estimator, based on height, foundation, and complexity of the particular structure(s), shall
determine the correct crew-type, equipment, and duration of install based on these standards and t-sheets.
16
Section 9 Sample Transmission Structure Standards continued…
Figure 3 Foundation
This is a typical transmission structure foundation detail. It will indicate the correct diameter, depth, reinforcing,
grounding, and backfill requirements for the structure to be installed. Estimator can calculate the quantity of soils
removal utilizing the correct formula (round, square, or rectangular). That soil, depending on site, will need dollars
applied for spreading or removals. This standard will also indicate the culvert required and pole embedment. If
concrete is required, it will also indicate psi and stone size. The foundation standard will also allow the estimator to
correctly assign the appropriate equipment and crew sizes necessary to excavate and install.
TAKEOFF CALCULATIONS PER STRUCTURE (estimator
to calculate waste at discretion) SAMPLE PROJECT
SCOPE
PROJECT OVERVIEW:
Structures
Engineering report indicates that 6 ea new H-Frame Wood
Structures Type HF2087 and associated components are to be
installed spanning a distance of one mile. Right-of-Way clearing
necessary. No existing structures to remove. Right-of-Way
located approximately 500’ away from CSX railroad and terrain
is swamp. Terrain multiplier as per company standards equals 2
or 25% adder. Soil borings indicate some rock at install locations.
New 115kv line will tie into the L123 124 double circuit line as
part of a new substation loop in project. One tube steel and one
steel H-frame will be utilized as well for loop into substation. All
structures to receive concrete foundations due to soil conditions.
Line
New 795 ASCR Falcon 30/7 conductor and 3/8 dia. shield wire
to be run across new structures and looped into substation.
Approximate distance is just under a mile. New line will be tie
into the L123 124 line.
Foundations
New structure foundations will consist of 14 ea epoxy coated
rebar reinforced foundations 3’ dia. X 15’ depth. Concrete based
on engineered specifications shall not be less than 3000psi with
¾ gravel. Dewatering and damming should be considered due to
water table at install location.
PRELIMINARY TAKEOFF CALCULATIONS
Soils Excavation Volume Takeoff for Structure
Foundation
Assumes Structure Foundations are typical and no rock is
encountered. Soils removed to be trucked to another line
construction area requiring fill located within 10 miles of this
site. Structure excavations volumes below.
Diameter (FT) Depth (FT) Total CU YD Removed (CY)
3 15 3.925ea x 14 = 54.95cu yd
Backfill (gravel) or Concrete
Approximately 70 yards ordered 3000psi ¾ gravel. Concrete
Pump included in cost.
Swamp Matting
4’ x 16’ wood mats by Subcontractor. Exact Lf unknown.
Double and Triple Layers required approximately 30% of total at
structure locations 3,4, and 5.
Clearing and Grubbing
New Right-of-Way requires one mile of clearing, tree-cutting,
and grubbing.
Support Services
Based on rail location, Railroad Flagmen are required as per
agreement with CSX rail. Qty. to be determined. Police detail at
Right-Of-Way entry point off highway 90 shall be required with
Click on each of the pictures above to view the PDF
December 2011

9. Sample take-off & pricing Continued
17
Section 10 Sample Estimate – Takeoff and Pricing Sheets (please note that these takeoffs are not based on the
plans seen in Figure 1 and 2)
TRANSMISSION STRUCTURE COMPONENTS TAKEOFF SAMPLE (found on standard)
POLE
ITEM # DESCRIPTION ORDER UNIT
3 WOOD POLE, SYP, PENTA, 45' CLASS 3 4 EA
4
POLE, DISTRIBUTION, 65FT , CLASS 3, SOUTHERN YELLOW PINE, PENTA TREATED, TAPERED
.38 LBS PER CUBIC FT RETENTION (BY ASSAY) FULL LENGTH PRESSURE TREATED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH MS2005 4 EA
5 WOOD POLE, SYP, PENTA, 70' CLASS 1 4 EA
6 WOOD POLE, SYP, PENTA, 75', CLASS 1 3 EA
78 CROSSBRACE, TRANSMISSION, (ASSEMBLY), 5-1/2IN X 7-1/2IN, DOUGLAS FIR 2 EA
75 CROSS ARM 52' STEEL 8 X 10" 2 EA
CONNECTORS
21 CONNECTOR, ELEC, SPLIT BOLT CONDUCTOR, 1/0 AWG STRANDED COPPER, 10 EA
22 CONNECTOR, PARALLEL GROOVE, 4 AWG SOLID X 4/0 AWG STRANDED COPP 45 EA
23 CONNECTOR, PARALLEL GROOVE, ALUMINUM/COPPER, 3-2/0 AWG, AL/CU BO 25 EA
24
CONNECTOR, ELECTRICAL, PARALLEL GROOVE, CONDUCTOR 1/0 AWG ALUM - 4/0 AWG-
400KCM ALUM COPPER ALSO 3-2/0 CU TO 4/0-400KCM AL. DOUBLE CENTER BOLT. 5 EA
25 CONNECTOR, PARALLEL GROOVE, ALUMINUM/COPPER, 3/0 AWG - 397.5 KCM, 10 EA
CONDUCTOR
53 WIRE, ALUMOWELD, 7#6 700 LF
54 WIRE, ALUMOWELD, 19#9 1400 LF
14 WIRE, 7 #9, ALUMOWELD 50 LF
20 WIRE, 1590 FALCON, ACSR 3850 LF
55 WIRE, 3/8" COMMON GRADE, STEEL 1500 LF
66 CONDUCTOR WEIGHT, ZINC, 50 LBS for 1590 MCM ACSR 30 EA
WASHER
47 WASHER, SQUARE CURVED, NOMINAL SIZE 1IN, 1-1/16IN INSIDE DIAMETER, 4I 15 EA
48 WASHER, FLAT, GALVANIZED, 11/16IN ID,1-3/4IN OD FOR 5/8IN BOLT 150 EA
49 WASHER, FLAT, 7/8IN NOM, 15/16IN INSIDE DIAMETER, 2IN OUTSIDE DIAMENT 120 EA
50 WASHER,FLAT, NOM 1IN ID 1-1/16IN OD 3IN THICKNESS 1/4IN, GALV STEEL, A 15 EA
51 WASHER, FRAMING, NOMINAL SIZE 1-1/4"IN ,INSIDE DIAMETER 1-5/16IN, OUTS 25 EA
52 WASHER, FLAT, 1-5/16IN INSIDE DIAMETER, 8IN SQUARE OUTSIDE DIAMETER, 25 EA
61 WASHER, CURVED SQUARE, GALVANIZED, 4IN X 4IN X 1/4IN, 15/16IN HOLE, EE 20 EA
BOLT
56 BOLT, MACHINE, 5/8IN DIA X 12IN LONG, SQUARE HEAD, GALVANIZED STEEL, 15 EA
57 BOLT, MACHINE, 5/8IN DIA X 14IN LONG, SQUARE HEAD, GALVANIZED STEEL, 20 EA
58 BOLT, MACHINE, SQUARE HEAD, GALVANIZED STEEL, 3/4IN DIA X 12IN LONG, 20 EA
59 BOLT, DOUBLE ARMING, GALVANIZED STEEL, 5/8IN DIA X 18IN LONG, FULL TH 10 EA
60 BOLT, DOUBLE ARMING, GALVANIZED STEEL, 5/8IN DIA X 16IN LONG, FULL TH 40 EA
27 BOLT, MACHINE, 1IN DIA X 16IN LG, 8 UNC, GALVS, SQUARE HEAD 5 EA
28
BOLT, MACHINE, 1IN DIA X 24IN LG, HIGH STRENGTH, 8 UNC, GALVS, SQUARE HEAD, SQUARE
NUT 5 EA
40 NUT, PAL, DIA 1IN, GALV STEEL 15 EA
41 NUT, SQUARE, 5/8IN, THREADS 11 UNC, HEIGHT 1/2IN, GALV STEEL, PER IEEE 10 EA
42 NUT, SQUARE, 7/8IN, THREADS 9 UNC, HEIGHT 3/4IN, GALV STEEL, PER IEEE C 15 EA
62 LOCKNUT, CURVED, GALVANIZED STEEL, PALNUT, 5/8IN 10 EA
18
PLATE
8 PLATE, GRID, CROSSARM, 4IN X 4IN pm 1/8IN, MALLEABLE IRON SINGLE CURV 10 EA
43
PLATE, GUY STRAIN INSULATORS, 2-1/4IN X 6 X 3/4IN THICK. GALV STEEL ,SHALL BE ASTM
A36 AND GALVANIZED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ASTM A123 AND FABRICATED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH DRAWING LS-5049-1 40 EA
44 PLATE, POLE EYE, 4-3/8IN WD X 8-5/8IN LG X 4IN HT, GALV STEEL, 1-1/4 IN, 30, 50 EA
70 PLATE, YOKE 30 EA
INSULATORS
39 INSULATOR, GUY, 78IN LG, FIBERGLASS 30M STRAIN 40 EA
2 INSULATOR, SUSPENSION, HIGH STRENGTH, 10IN X 5-3/4IN, GRAY, 30000LB. M 762 EA
CLEVIS, CLAMP, DEADENDS, EYEBOLTS, MISCELLANEOUS
11 CLAMP, GROUND ROD. HIGH STRENGTH CORROSION RESISTANT CU ALLOY. 15 EA
12 EYEBOLT, EYE, CLEVIS Y TYPE, 90 DEG, BODY-TWISTED DROP FORGED STEE 5 SETS
13 CLEVIS, BALL, Y TYP, HOT LINE, STL AND CLEVIS PIN WITH STAINLESS STEEL 45 SETS
15 CLAMP, GROUNDING, .162IN -.419IN WIRE SIZE, GALV STEEL, TO BE USED ON 5 EA
29 CLAMP, SINGLE TONGUE, ADJUSTABLE CLEVIS, BOLTED JUMPER, 1590 KCM 50 EA
30 CLEVIS, CLEVIS-EYE, GALV STEEL, 13/16IN CLEVIS OPENING, LOAD RATING 2 30 EA
31 SHACKLE, ANCHOR, GALV STEEL, 7/8IN CLEVIS OPENING, LOAD RATING 6000 50 EA
32 CLEVIS, SOCKET, GALV STEEL, 13/16 IN CLEVIS OPENING, LOAD RATING 300 10 EA
33 CLEVIS, SOCKET, STEEL, 1-5/16IN INSIDE CLEARANCE, LOAD RATING 30,000LB 10 EA
34 CLEVIS,THIMBLE, GALV STEEL, SIZE 1IN, LOAD RATING 36000 LB MAX STR ,3/4 40 EA
35 CLIP, BONDING, 1-1/2IN WD X 1-13/16IN LG, GALV STEEL, F/7/8 IN BOLT 10 EA
36 CLIP, BONDING, 1IN WD X 1-1/2IN LG, STEEL F/5/8 IN BOLT 5 EA
37 GRIP,CABLE,DEADEND,ALUMOWELD, 22730 LB, USE FOR 7 #6 ALUMOWELD G 30 EA
38
GRIP,CABLE, DEADEND, ALUMOWELD, RATING34,290LB,USE FOR 19 #9 ALUMOWELD GUY
WIRE, GUY ALUMOWELD 50" LONG - COLOR CODE ORANGE 30 EA
17 CLEVIS, HOT LINE SOCKET, GALV STEEL, 1IN CLEVIS OPENING, LOAD RATING 30 EA
1 STAPLE, DIAMOND POINT, ROLLED, 2IN X 5/8IN X .126IN, ZINC PLATED. 100 PIE 400 EA
7 ATTACHMENT, PUSH BRACE, GALVANIZED MALLEABLE IRON CONNECTOR. 5 EA
9 ROD, GROUND, SOLID, 5/8IN X 8FT, CONICALLY POINTED AT ONE END 60 DEG 15 EA
10 GUARD, GUY, HDPE FULL ROUND, 1-1/4IN X 8FT, U.V. RESISTANT, SNAP-ON W 15 EA
16 LINK, CHAIN TRANSMISSION, GALV STEEL, LINE END HARDWARE,3-1/2" X 2-1/2 10 EA
18 CAP, WOOD POLE TOP PROTECTION, 10-1/2IN, POLYETHYLENE 15 EA
19 NAIL, ROOFING,1-1/2 IN THICKNESS, O.145IN GAUGE, 6110 ALUMINUM ALLOY 1 BOX
26 ANCHOR PLANK 2" x 12" x 24" 50 EA
45 ROD, ANCHOR, 1-1/4IN DIA X 10FT LG, GS, TRIPLE EYE W/NUT 20 EA
46 TURNBUCKLE, JAW AND EYE, 3/4IN. EYE SHANK DIAMETER, 12IN. TAKEUP, 12 10 EA
63 DEADEND GRIP, ADJUSTABLE TYPE FOR ANC 10 EA
64 CORNOA SHIELD 10 EA
65 UNIVERSAL GRADE STRANDVISE 10 EA
67 CLAMP, SUSPENSION, AL 30 EA
68 CLEVIS EYE, 90 DEGREE 15 EA
69 STRAIN YOKE PLATE 4 EA
71 ANCHOR SHACKLE, 50K W-BNK 10 EA
72 JUMPER ARM ASSEMBLY 3 EA
73 SPACER, HELICAL ROD, 18" SPACING 20 EA
74 CLAMP-DE STRAIN OPGW 64/.528IN BOLT NUT COTTER 4 EA
76 Spacer, RIGID, 18" SPACING 20 EA
77 EHV TERMINALS-WELDMENT TWO CABLE TO FLAT 2 EA
20
Cost Estimate (Please note that this sample cost estimate is Not based on the plans seen in Figure 1 and 2)
Structure Work Hr Total Total Cost Unit
Description Men Man MH Unit MH Hr Cost Units Total
Mobilization 8 10 80 80 $125 $10,000 1 $10,000
Demobilization 8 10 80 80 $125 $10,000 1 $10,000
Site Prep and Clean Up 2 40 80 80 $125 $10,000 1 $10,000
Wood H-Frame Susp 6 20 120 720 $125 $15,000 6 $90,000
w/dbl xbrace and guys
Subtotal – Structure Work 960 $120,000
Contingency @ 15% 144 $18,000
Cost Adder @ 25% LOD 2 240 $30,000
(level of difficulty factor 2)
Total - Structure Work 1,104 $168,000
Wire Work
Mobilization 8 10 80 80 $125 $10,000 1 $10,000
Demobilization 8 10 80 80 $125 $10,000 1 $10,000
Install Circuit Mile ACSR 795 8 40 320 320 $125 $40,000 1 $40,000
Falcon 30/7 Conductor
Subtotal – Wire Work 560 $70,000
Contingency @ 15% 84 $10,500
Cost Adder @ 25% LOD 2 140 $17,500
Total – Wire Work 784 $98,000
Foundation Work
Mobilization 8 10 80 80 $125 $10,000 1 $10,000
Demobilization 8 10 80 80 $125 $10,000 1 $10,000
Install Foundations 6 15 90 540 $125 $11,250 6 $67,500
Subtotal – Foundation Work 780 $97,500
Contingency @ 15% 117 $14,625
Cost Adder @ 25% LOD 2 195 $24,375
Total – Foundation Work 1092 $136,500
Support Services
Swamp Matting Structure Work Pad – Each $8,200 6 $49,200
Swamp Matting per foot (access) $50 300 $15,000
Swamp Matting per foot (2nd
, 3rd
layers) $40 200 $8,000
Structure Grounding Improvements $500 6 $3,000
Railroad Flagmen Each per day $1,200 1 $1,200
Police Detail Each per day $500 1 $500
Highway Crossing Signing – Per Crossing $2,000 1 $2,000
Rock Coring (xx% of new holes) Per Hole $2,000 1 $2,000
Pole Disposal – Per Pole $150 6 $900
R/W Clearing Per Mile $75,000 1 $75,000
R/W Mowing per Mile $10,000 1 $10,000
Subtotal – Support Services $166,800
Contingency @ 15% $25,020
Total – Support Services $191,820
21
Transmission Supervision
TLS General Supervision 1 60 60 60 $125 $5,100 1 $7,500
Field Construction Coordinator 1 60 60 60 $125 $7,500 1 $7,500
Line Switcher 2 4 8 40 $125 $1,000 5 $5,000
TLS Support Staff 1 60 60 60 $125 $7,500 1 $7,500
Subtotal – TLS Supervision 220 $27,500
Contingency @ 15% 33 $4,125
Total – TLS Supervision 253 $31,625
Foundation Material
Foundations – Concrete (cu yd) $130 70 $9,100
Foundations – 6’ Diameter Culvert per foot $100
Foundations – Reinforcing Steel per pound $0.35 48 $1,680
Foundations – 30” Diameter Culvert per foot $35
Stores Handling 25%
Subtotal – Foundations Material $10,780
Total – Foundation Material $11,858
Line Material
Wood Poles – 95 ft. H2 $4,000 12 $48,000
Steel Poles H-Frame Deadend $12,000 1 $12,000
Tubular Steel Pole $9,500 1 $9,500
Steel Davit Arm Pole Structures $1,200 2 $2,400
X Brace HB 2087-15-0-CPT $900 4 $3,600
795 ASCR Falcon 30/7 circuit mile $10,000 1 $10,000
3/8 Diameter Shield wire circuit mile $2,000 1 $2,000
Insulators (115kv ceramic double circuit) $1,000 6 $6,000
Guys $500 4 $2,000
Anchors (Manta type) $500 4 $2,000
MSR Stock Material $5,000 $5,000
Sales Tax
MSR and Wood Pole Stores Handling 25% $17,975
Subtotal – Line Material $120,475
Total – Line Material $132,950
Engineering Costs
Consultant Environmental Review $8,000
Consultant Environmental Monitoring $4,400
Consultant Surveying $3,500
TLE Engineering $9,000
Soil Borings $6,800
Consultant Engineering Services $12,000
Subtotal $43,700
Total – Engineering $50,255
Overheads
Capital Overhead 3.00% $18,779
Supervision & Admin (Billable Projects) 32% $200,302
AFUDC 3.00% 18,779
Subtotal $237,860
Total – Overhead $237,860
ROUNDED ESTIMATE GRAND TOTAL $1,058,868
December 2011

9. Sample take-off &
pricing Continued
signage.
Rock Coring
Preliminary testing indicates minimal
stone located at structure install
locations. 6” borings will be provided
pre-construction at the centerline of
each new proposed structure location.
If rock is encountered during excavation,
risk register dollars shall be utilized to
remedy.
Engineering
Environmental consultant to be utilized
for site restoration requirements in
wetlandsasperUSArmyCoreofEngineer’s
Permit and Conservation Commission
requirements. Detailed plans regarding
restoration are to be supplied indicating
site conditions post structure installation.
10. Glossary of Terms
Construction Specifications Institute 2010
MasterFormat: The 2010 revised edition
of the Construction Specification Institute
directory of construction specification
itemizations used extensively throughout
the construction industry by designers and
builders to classify, itemize, and arrange
specifications (the actual instructions on
how to build a particular part of an overall
project). Editions previous to 2010 contained
only 17 divisions; the 2010 MasterFormat
contains over 40.
NERC: North American Electric Reliability
Corporation coordinates the electric
industry’s activities designed to protect
the industry’s critical infrastructure from
physical and cyber threats. It also operates
the industry’s Electricity Sector Information
Sharing and Analysis Center under the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security and Public
Safety Canada.
FERC: The Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (“FERC”) regulates natural gas
pipelines and electric public utilities that
engage in interstate commerce.
ISO: The Independent Systems Operator
helps protect the health of New England’s
economy and the well-being of its people
by ensuring the constant availability of
electricity, today and for future generations.
It ensures the day-to-day reliable operation
of New England’s bulk power generation
and transmission system, by overseeing
and ensuring the fair administration of the
region’s wholesale electricity markets, and by
managing comprehensive, regional planning
processes.
PSC NY: The Public Service Commission of
New York regulates the state’s electric, gas,
steam, telecommunications, and water
utilities. It also oversees the cable industry.
The Commission is charged by law with
responsibility for setting rates and ensuring
that adequate service is provided by New
York’s utilities.
DPU MA: The Department of Public Utilities
of Massachusetts is responsible for oversight
of investor-owned electric power, natural gas,
and water utilities in the Commonwealth.
PMI: Project Management Institute is a
not-for-profit membership association for the
project management profession. PMI has
created the PMBOK (Project Management
Body of Knowledge) which also provides
guidance to estimating as it applies to project
management.
Backfill: Soil suitable for use as backfill
consisting of any mixture of sand and gravel.
Rocks less than 6” in diameter and silt may
also be included in the mixture.
Clearing: The cutting of trees and large
bushes by hand and/or mechanical means.
Excavation: Removal of soil, limestone,
sandstone, granite or similar rocks in solid
beds or masses in original or stratified
position which can be removed only by
continuous drilling, blasting or the use of
pneumatic tools, and all boulders of 1 cubic
yard in volume or larger. Material which can
be loosened with a pick, frozen materials,
soft laminated shale and hardpan, which
for convenience or economy is loosened
by drilling, blasting, wedging or the use
of pneumatic tools, removal of in place
concrete, shall be classified as Common
Excavation.
Field Issue: All drawings, structure lists,
material lists, procedures, specifications,
permits and other documents detailing how
the work is to be accomplished.
Regulated Wetland Area: Those areas that
are subject to federal, state or local wetland
regulation, including certain buffer or
adjacent areas.
Right of Way: A corridor of land where
the utility company has legal rights (either
fee ownership or easement) to construct,
operate, and maintain an electric power line
and/or natural gas pipeline and may include
work on customer owned properties.
Road, Access: A traveled way in an improved
or unimproved state, utilized by construction
vehicles for the transportation and movement
of equipment, materials and manpower
through public or private property from
existing public traveled ways into the Right-
of-Way; once entering the Right-of-Way, and
access road becomes a construction road. A
type of access route.
Specifications: Written documents describing
the work and the manner in which it is to be
accomplished.
Swamp Mats: Components of a temporary
wood, plastic or other suitable material used
as an access road.
Wetland: An area that meets the definition of
a wetland by an applicable Federal, state or
local statute or regulation. Wetlands include
swamps, marshes, bogs, streams, rivers,
ponds, and lakes.
11. References
1. “Transmission Line Construction:
Methods and Costs” by Ruben A.
Lundquist
2. “Pole and Tower Lines for Electric
Power Transmission” by R.D. Coombs
3. “How to Estimate Construction Costs
of Electrical Power Substations” by John
M. Bifulco
4. “Project Management Body of
Knowledge” by Project Management
Institute
5. “Handy – Whitman Electrical Costs
Guide” by Handy-Whitman
6. “Basic Electricity” by National Grid
Training Center
7. “R.S. Means Electrical Estimating
Manual” by RS Means
8. IEEE 524 Guide to the Installation of
Overhead Transmission Line Conductors
9. OSHA 1910.269 Electric Power
Generation, Transmission, and
Distribution
December 2011

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