We have been losing bids to competitors who are using mc cable for commercial projects.

We prefer to run emt, but often the specs will allow mc cable. We have a pretty good handle on our costs for emt installations and usually bid in the area of $42 to $47 per opening.

Going by estimates only we think that we can run mc cable for about $10/opening less. We have used mc before, but haven't used it to wire an entire building.

For those with experience estimating both wiring methods, does it seem resonable that if we can run emt for $45 per drop that we can do mc cable for $35???

thanks

GJ

the labor savings on mc,ac and bx are where you save your money a 2 man crew can pull 2000 feet or more in a day where the same crew can only average 400 to 500 feet in the same time

[This message has been edited by fedup (edited 05-10-2003).]

I would think you should be able to save much labor by using M/C. Are u working with metal studs? Surface? Wood?

Ob

Ob,
I am speaking in general terms....the construction methods could be either metal or wood studs. Generally not surface for new construction.

I'm just looking for some feedback from people with more experience bidding jobs with MC.

GJ

[This message has been edited by golf junkie (edited 05-10-2003).]

Golf Junkie I do not have the experience bidding jobs with thousands of feet of mc.

But I have installed about 50,000 feet of the stuff.

I dont think it is as easy as which is cheaper. Because that is a loaded question. Use MC in studwalls for any single runs. Might go as far as to buy 12-3, 12-4. But then you get into a lot of extra[waste] depending on the job.

But as far as single runs in studs buy the 2500' on the spool set it up and make money all day.

Probably not what you were after but some mc labor #'s are a fantasy if you need 10 different rolls for one job. It also grows legs like nothing else I have ever seen.

We use lots of M/C cable, and as for what it's worth, wouldn't have it any other way.
Your "price per opening" reduction in cost seems about right. (You'll really notice the labor cost go down in wood construction).
Make sure the crew understands the cost involved in material, though. There's a tendency for guys to pull off way too much cable, then cut off the tail and leave it on the floor, creating a lot of waste.
Homeruns and straight shots are still better done in EMT, but for walls and lighting, the M/C can't be beat...S