Invest in an estimating software. Many of them have a Lite version to make them more affordable. I think mine cost like $1300 initially and they financed it for me. I added modules when I could afford them.
The neat thing about software, if you bid a job and six months later they tell you to proceed, I can click two buttons and get current prices on everything for the job but the gear and fixtures. Graybar participates in an online pricing service called Net PRicer, which my software uses to update.
This way I don't spend hours calling the stores and recalculating the job.
BTW, my software is Conest Intellibid. I don't know if it it the best, I doubt it is but is does a decent job. AS I said, they financed it for me with very good terms! You can't go wrong with a decent estimating software if you want to be efficient and accurate with your bids.
It might cost you up front but will pay for itself quickly in saving you time and making you more competitive.
Why am I telling my competitors here my secrets?????
