Low Voltage Estimating Services
Request low-voltage takeoffs for structured cabling, fiber, fire alarm, CCTV, access control and audio-visual systems. Agree device counts, cable routing and the installation scope separately from vendor programming or commissioning.
Bid deliverable: Device and equipment schedules, cable quantities where routes are defined, and pathway assumptions organized by system. Identify missing cable routes and vendor-supplied items before pricing. Review published electrical takeoff samples →
Structured Cabling
Cat6/6A, fiber optics, racks, patches & j-hook pathways.
Fire Alarm Takeoffs
Initiating devices, notification appliances & panel risers.
Security & CCTV
Card readers, door strikes, cameras & NVR equipment.
Schedule confirmed after review
Rapid response for low voltage bid packages and scopes.
Systems Included in Our Low Voltage Takeoffs
Define the pathways, cable drops, devices and vendor responsibilities to include in your low-voltage takeoff:
Low Voltage Deliverables
Cable Run Schedule
Footages calculated per drop with vertical riser heights and service loop allowances factored in.
Marked Floor Plans
Color-coded PDF drawings clearly distinguishing data drops, CCTV cameras, and fire alarm points.
Headend Equipment BOM
Racks, patch panels, wire managers, and power distribution units (PDU) itemized for distribution.
Labor Hours Summary
Pulling, termination, labeling, and certification testing hours calculated separately.
Define the low-voltage systems in your bid
Keep communications, security and fire alarm quantities separate using the project specifications. A device count alone is not a complete installed system: identify cable routes, supports, terminations, headend equipment, testing and vendor responsibilities.
Documents for a low-voltage quote
Send system floor plans, risers, device and cable schedules, rack elevations, specifications and addenda. Provide the site city/state, current drawing revision, bid deadline and the systems you want included. Missing routes or ceiling heights require stated allowances or clarification.
Agree the handoff between trades
Confirm who supplies pathways, sleeves, firestopping, power supplies, network switches and active equipment. Separate field installation from programming, design, system certification and commissioning. For access control, identify door hardware, reader, lock power and integrator responsibilities.
Coordinate electrical rough-in with the commercial electrical bid. Process plant controls belong in a separately agreed instrumentation and controls package.
Low-voltage system takeoff scope
For structured cabling, communications, security, fire alarm, audiovisual, and related system bids. List each included system because low voltage is not one uniform package.
Documents that define your estimate
Communications and security plans, device legends, risers, rack elevations, cable specifications, manufacturer schedules, testing requirements, and the electrical/low-voltage responsibility matrix.
| Scope item | Measurement | Source to reconcile | Item to clarify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Devices and endpoints | EA by system and type | Plan symbols reconciled with device schedules | Controllers, interfaces, power supplies, licenses, and accessories |
| Copper and fiber cabling | LF by cable type | Measured routes, risers, endpoint and rack locations | Document service-loop and slack assumptions separately |
| Pathways and supports | LF/EA by type | Tray, conduit, sleeves, supports, and shared-pathway details | Identify which pathways are provided by the electrical contractor |
| Termination and testing | EA endpoints; worker-hours | Connection counts and specified test/certification outputs | Programming and manufacturer commissioning are separate scope decisions |
Inclusions, exclusions, and responsibilities
Confirm Division 27 communications and Division 28 safety/security responsibilities against the actual project manual. Do not presume that all fire alarm, suppression, controls, or networking work belongs to one contractor.
Do cable counts alone establish a complete low-voltage estimate?
No. Include pathways, supports, connectors, patching, rack hardware, labeling, testing, device power, interfaces, and any agreed programming or commissioning. Identify owner-furnished equipment separately.
Confirm the fee and review deadline
Send the project location, current drawing revision, included systems, required outputs, and bid deadline. The proposal should state the estimating fee, delivery date, price/labor assumptions, and revision terms before you authorize work.
Inspect the published electrical takeoff samples for measured quantities and units. The commercial and multifamily excerpts illustrate selected electrical scope; they do not establish completed industrial or instrumentation assignments.