When comparing bids, you notice one electrical subcontractor's bid is 25% lower than others but excludes temporary power. The temporary power allowance should be approximately:
Correct Answer
D) 3-5% of the total project cost
Temporary power typically represents 3-5% of total project cost, as it serves the entire project, not just electrical work. This significant cost could explain the lower bid and must be added for accurate comparison.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Temporary power serves the entire construction project, providing electricity for all trades, equipment, and site operations throughout the construction period. This comprehensive service typically costs 3-5% of the total project cost because it includes infrastructure setup, monthly utility costs, distribution panels, and maintenance. Since it benefits the whole project rather than just electrical work, the cost should be calculated as a percentage of total project value, not just the electrical contract portion.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: 5-8% of the electrical contract
This percentage is too high when applied only to the electrical contract value. Temporary power costs don't scale proportionally with electrical work complexity. A project with extensive electrical systems doesn't necessarily require proportionally more temporary power infrastructure, making this calculation method inaccurate for cost estimation.
Option B: 1-2% of the electrical contract
This percentage is far too low when applied to just the electrical contract. Temporary power involves significant infrastructure costs including service connections, distribution equipment, and ongoing utility expenses that cannot be adequately covered by such a small percentage of the electrical work value.
Option C: A fixed $5,000 regardless of project size
A fixed dollar amount ignores project scale and duration variables. Temporary power costs vary significantly based on project size, complexity, duration, and location. A small residential project and large commercial development have vastly different temporary power requirements that cannot be captured by a single fixed cost.
Memory Technique
Remember 'Temporary power serves the TOTAL project' - use 3-5% of TOTAL project cost, not just electrical portion.
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