A $400,000 temporary power problem, solved for $15,000.
A general contractor renovating a government office building in downtown Ottawa learned that temporary power was entirely its responsibility, and the utility quoted about $400,000 for a temporary feeder. Shokri Elhoussini, P.Eng., now EEB’s founder, found the power the building already had.
The problem
At the estimating stage, temporary power was carried at $500, on the understanding that the client would provide most of it. Once the job started, it turned out the general contractor was responsible for temporary power from start to finish.
The renovation included demolishing the building’s existing electrical room. When the contractor went to the electricity provider, the quote for a temporary feeder came back at about $400,000.
The approach
- Studied both single line diagrams. The existing electrical distribution and the new design, side by side.
- Found what could stay in service. Some existing feeders were not affected by the work and could keep supplying the site during construction.
- Changed the order of work. The contractor re-sequenced the demolition of the electrical room, so the equipment needed for temporary power was removed last.
- Used the building’s own equipment. After cleaning up the existing single line diagram, the existing transformers and feeders supplied temporary power for the renovation.
The result
Temporary power cost the contractor about $15,000 instead of about $400,000. The contractor kept the difference, roughly $385,000.
Before paying for new capacity, check what the building already has, and when you take it away.
Facing a cost that does not look right?
Temporary power, phasing, shutdowns and existing equipment often hide savings. Tell us what the project is up against.