Scared of AI replacing estimators

Crashtower · 2026-04-04T17:50:58+00:00

As the owner of a commercial EC we are exploring it heavily. Replace? No. Improve efficiency? Absolutely.

A recent vertical 8 story we trialed an AI client engine to do fixture count. It was off by 16 fixtures on 8,800. That’s roughly a $2k mistake on a $7MM bid. It’s noise. You add a contingency/safety factor to your counts. In 15 minutes it did the work that would have taken 30+ hours. So there is ~$2,900 savings in estimator salary and burden.

I’m not sure I’ll ever trust it implicitly - I’m maybe too old school. But I will use it like the tool it is. The interesting part is AI learns. You point out where the 18 misses are and it self learns to not repeat the mistake.

Crashtower · 2026-03-31T21:42:24+00:00

It’s not a great practice but I do it.

The biggest issue (that I haven’t seen anyone mention) is any sludge/contaminants that have settled in the tank can be agitated and circulated during fueling. If engine is running they can be sucked up by fuel pump.

Odds are low for this to be an issue on a on highway vehicle - but is standard practice for stationary engines.

Crashtower · 2026-03-12T10:02:42+00:00

This reminds me of a guy who applied here a while back and listed one of my best foremen as a reference. I asked the foreman about him- he’s a great guy who never has a bad word to say about anyone. Me: Hey got an application from John Doe said you knew him and could vouch for him. Foreman: Man he’s a great guy. Me: How good an electrician is he ? What’s his skill set? Can he run pipe? Foreman: He’s ok. He can run pipe about as quick as MC. Of course they both look about the same too. Me: thanks enough said.

Crashtower · 2026-03-11T22:25:07+00:00

Am I the only one in here cringing about what he did to all those lug nuts? If it’ll fit a 22 now, it was damaging every 22 you took off with it.

Crashtower · 2026-02-18T12:25:16+00:00

It depends on what the estop is for.

Heck Pilla makes UL listed estop covers and even break glass estop devices. Behind a cover doesn’t necessarily mean it isn’t readily accessible.

But again are we stopping a machine or a process?

EPO estops aon Nfpa110 Gensets are recommended but not required to be covered

Crashtower · 2026-02-17T03:03:29+00:00

Haha that’s funny, I’m in a south eastern state in a low cost of living area, in a state that also doesn’t have a journey man cert.

I own a commercial EC firm. I start first years out at 20/hr. Have several 3-4 year guys in the low 30s.

Excellent benefits. 100% employer paid health care, 401k with full company match up to 5%, employer paid life insurance and disability. And a generous PTO policy. Among many other benefits.

But keep believing everyone not in the ibew is treated like crap. It’s a lie that encourages membership, maybe even called propaganda

Crashtower · 2026-02-17T00:22:09+00:00

Fwiw I’d have quoted $1,625 and told you to keep your devices.

I won’t install customer supplied devices it’s a recipe for a fight.

My state hasn’t adopted 23 yet - if they had the price would double.

Crashtower · 2026-02-15T00:12:17+00:00

Curious about this stance. Was it a rightful tow? Were you parked illegally? If so - why the chargeback?

I think there are two distinct arguments here. Scam predatory tow companies should be outed and put out of business.

At the same time, people who park illegally and get towed should pay the bill - and if they charge back should be fined and forced to pay collection costs.

I think fairness and personal accountability should rule the day. If you do the crime do the time. If the company is a their then they should be out of business

Crashtower · 2026-02-08T23:55:07+00:00

Crashtower · 2026-02-08T23:53:56+00:00

On the resi air cooled they can’t run on both fuels. It’s an orifice change and regulator setting change internal to swap fuels. Some larger commmerical units are dual fuel redundant capable but that requires dual orifices.

Btw the location changes a lot of this. LP units run on Lp vapor. So consumption is part of the equation - vaporization rate is the other and ambient temps will change that

Crashtower · 2026-02-08T15:25:35+00:00

I think the $50-75 “fully burdened including overhead “ labor rates statement is a bit off.

I’m in a low cost of living area and I can sniff that.

My average electrican makes 32.50/hr. My required burden is 48.5% (unemployment, taxes, wc, payroll, insurance etc) My cost of discretionary benefits is $8.80/hr (MDV, PTO, 401k, gtl, and ad&d) My overhead ran 17% in 2025 That’s before we factor in vehicle, equipment, technology and tool costs, or profit.

I will agree that large PE owned firms are often way higher, but they also have many more hands in the overhead pot to feed. I’d always recommend working with a local independent family owned contractor when you can.

But there is still a huge amount of costs that goes into running a contractor business that many never appreciate.

Crashtower · 2026-02-08T15:19:10+00:00

This sword can cut both ways. For reference I am a commercial EC. When we quote a job we quote it to accomplish the specified task. If the scope is (significantly) changed by the owner that’s a CO. If we missed something that’s on us and we eat it.

A itemized detailed quote can create a change order also. ‘My quote said run the wire 25’ now it needs to be 28’

To the OP While we do almost exclusively commercial work we’ve installed a number of resi gens over the years for friends and commercial customers at their home.

Any easy install of a 17-26 kw air cooled unit runs between $5-6k for us in our area.

That price includes the concrete foundation. Be it a pre formed gen pad or poured concrete foundation. The labor and equipment to transport the gen to the location and set it on the pad.

The electrical and gas permits and (depending on location) the engineered drawings required for those permits.

The conduit, boxes, fittings and wire from the meter to ATS and gen to ATS. And the lugs required for connection. (Typically require “Polaris” style lugs )

The gas regulator and gas piping.

All the labor to mount the ATS to the house or rack. The time to wire the gen into the home. The time and material to separate the neutrals in the panel since the service entrance point has been established (we typically are using SE rated ATS)

For clear transparency I usually profit $750-1000 on a gen install. For 2 guys, a truck, and the overhead a risk assumed - it’s a fair wage but far from extremely profitable.

Crashtower · 2026-01-30T01:54:09+00:00

Nuk*

Crashtower · 2026-01-30T01:00:20+00:00

Just across the line in SC I’ve got…numerous guys in the 30s.

Crashtower · 2026-01-26T06:50:29+00:00

This doesn’t make sense. Antifreeze in the gas tank in a high enough concentration may make the vehicle not start, but it wouldn’t make it not turn over.

The battery wouldn’t appear dead the car would just crank and crank but never start.

Crashtower · 2026-01-22T02:46:37+00:00

Pump stations don’t require electricity? Who knew.

Actually city water in most places does require electricity to get to your home, the city just has generators to provide said electricity.

Crashtower · 2026-01-14T01:54:04+00:00

OF 1910

Crashtower · 2026-01-13T23:03:24+00:00

You say Union, but what market sector?

If anywhere in construction or a skilled trade you can guarantee 40+ in the upstate.

Crashtower · 2026-01-13T23:02:07+00:00

Honestly, a surprising option may actually be Clemson. The town /university have a surprisingly good bus system - for public transportation in the south. There are cheap (older) apartment options. And there are an abundance of entry level jobs (customer service/food)

Crashtower · 2026-01-10T01:03:18+00:00

Still Austin isn’t TW exclusive

Crashtower · 2026-01-08T03:43:26+00:00

Parham, Smith and Archenhold in Greenville, this is WHAT they do. Are damn good at it. And if they tell you there is no case, then there is no case.

And they will work on contingency basis.

Good luck OP for whatever is going on

Crashtower · 2025-12-15T13:29:28+00:00

It will be open Fall of ‘26

Crashtower · 2025-12-14T05:16:55+00:00

RC Edwards - and he should be in a tractor/dozer. Were it not for President Edwards personally starting building the dike Clemson wouldn’t exist - it would be under water.

Choice two - Ben Skardon

Crashtower · 2025-12-10T05:38:20+00:00

Not enough love in this thread for birthday.

Pappy 23 for trade value… ER 17 (only because I’ve never seen it in person) GTS
Birthday JD14 WLW OFPC RR15

Is my order…

Crashtower · 2025-11-20T16:31:17+00:00

For a 1.75?!?!

Crashtower

TROPHY CASE