First thing,......... DON'T PANIC !!!!!!!!!
I always do Labour & Materials.
1. Check that all the flats are the same ,same with houses, they probably are but may be at least one with disabled facilities.
2. List all your materials for ,say , the flat, off the drawings , that will cover all the others. You shouldn't have a problem with that, if you miss two sockets no big deal.
3. Now the tricky bit , labour . All you can do is guesstimate how long each operation will take you, don't forget it will be 1st & 2nd fix, so, how long to wire the plugs, how long for lights, shower, cooker, smoke alarms, bonding, possible long meter tails , testing ,writing up certs, fixing KO boxes.
4. Estimate it for 1 man so accessories ,something like socket fronts @ 15 mins ea , pendants @ 20mins ea , wiring @ 3mins/mtr, 6way CU @ 2hrs .
5. Check it by looking at the first fix as a whole , how long do I think it will take me to wire and box out that flat ready for plastering ... 2 days ??? How long to fit it out ...2 days ??? ...2.5 days ???? Will you be wiring the heating controls ?? Best allow 1/2day . You could well spend 5 days on each unit .
If you win the job and the first unit takes a bit longer than you allowed for, its not the end of the world , the next one will be so much quicker .
Are there any communial areas to wire, stairways etc, don't miss them out .
If you don't win it, ask how far out you were , its a good guide . If its a few hundred squid then you did OK , if its ridiculously low then he's welcome to it.
Oh and on a job that size you will get some knockdown discounts from your wholesaler, ask how much for an 8 way CU then ..OK how much for 24 , same,say, with sockets, you'll be buying about 400 .
Don't let the size of the job put you off , the trick is to break it all down into circuits. Tackle the plugs first, you end up with ,say, 12hrs . then tackle the lighting till you have covered everything .
