VoltSpecHelp Center

Welcome to VoltSpec

Getting Started

2.1 Creating Your First Job

1. Log in at voltspec.online (or redeem a trial code — see Section 2.4).
2. From the main screen, you'll land in the Widget Field — your home base.
3. Click New Job or select a job type from the sidebar.
4. Choose your trade (Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, etc.).
5. Select a job type from the dropdown (134 options — use search to filter).
6. Pick your jurisdiction (city/state) — VoltSpec auto-applies the correct NEC version and local rules.
7. Enter your job parameters (panel size, circuit count, wire runs, etc.).
8. Click Generate — VoltSpec builds your BOM.

2.2 Navigating the Widget Field

The Widget Field is your workspace — the central hub for all of VoltSpec's tools. It's organized into 3 categories with uniform cards and icons for quick scanning.

2.3 Using the Job Type Sidebar

1. Category chips across the top filter by trade or specialty (Industrial, HazLoc, Tesla).
2. Recent jobs appear at the top for quick repeat access.
3. Search/filter narrows the full 134 job types as you type.
4. Dropdown opens downward on mobile so it doesn't clip.

2.4 Trial Code Redemption & Pro Features

Redeeming a Trial Code:

1. Go to voltspec.online/redeem.
2. Enter your trial code (e.g., VOLTPRO7).
3. Create an account or log in.
4. Pro access activates immediately — 7 days of full platform access.

Quick Lists

Quick Lists are pre-built templates for common jobs. Instead of configuring every parameter from scratch, pick a template and generate a BOM instantly.

3.1 Browsing Quick Lists

1. Open Quick Lists from the Widget Field.
2. Browse 32 templates organized by category.
3. Use category chips to filter (Residential, Commercial, Industrial, etc.).
4. Star your favorites — they appear in a dedicated Favorites section at the top.

3.2 Generating from a Quick List

1. Find the template that matches your job.
2. Click the template card.
3. Review the pre-filled parameters — adjust anything that doesn't match.
4. Select your jurisdiction.
5. Click Generate — your BOM builds from the template.

3.3 When to Use Quick Lists vs. Full Job Builder

Building a Job

This is the heart of VoltSpec — the full workflow from job selection to finished BOM.

4.1 Selecting Job Type and Jurisdiction

1. Click New Job or select from the sidebar.
2. Trade selection: Choose your trade. Electrical has 74 job types; other trades have 4–12 each.
3. Job type: Pick from the dropdown. Search to filter — typing "panel" shows all panel-related jobs.
4. Jurisdiction: Select city and state. VoltSpec auto-applies the correct NEC version, utility requirements, panel series, and device preferences.

4.2 Entering Job Parameters

After selecting your job type and jurisdiction, you'll see fields specific to that job type. Common parameters include:

• Panel size (100A, 200A, 400A, etc.)
• Number of circuits / spaces
• Wire run lengths (feet)
• Conduit type (EMT, PVC, rigid, flex)
• Service type (overhead, underground)
• Special requirements (GFCI, AFCI, surge protection, whole-house generator)

4.3 Full Material List vs. Phased View

Click Generate and VoltSpec builds your BOM. View it two ways:

Use the Material View Toggle at the top of the materials section to switch. Your preference is saved automatically.

4.4 Understanding Phases

In Phased View, materials are grouped into construction phases typical for the job type:

• Rough-In — boxes, conduit, wire, mounting hardware
• Trim-Out — devices, covers, fixtures
• Final — panels, breakers, labeling, testing equipment
• Service — meter base, service entrance, utility coordination items

Phases vary by job type. The Phase Selector lets you view one phase at a time or all together.

4.5 Reviewing and Editing the Material List

Your generated BOM is a starting point — always review it.

1. Scan the list — anything missing for your specific job?
2. Adjust quantities — click any quantity to edit directly.
3. Remove items you don't need.
4. Add items manually if something's missing.
5. Check part numbers — verify against your preferred supplier's catalog.

Pricing notes: Most items show public reference pricing as a baseline estimate. Wire and conduit always show "Speak to sales" — commodity pricing changes too frequently for automation. Call your supply house for current pricing.

AI Plan Takeoff

AI Plan Takeoff analyzes uploaded construction blueprints and extracts material requirements automatically. It turns hours of manual plan reading into a starting point you can refine in minutes.

5.1 How It Works

1. Open AI Plan Takeoff from the Widget Field.
2. Upload your plans — PDF or image files of construction drawings.
3. Click Analyze — VoltSpec's AI reads the plans and identifies electrical elements.
4. The AI generates a draft material takeoff.
5. Review the results — the takeoff appears as an editable draft.
6. Accept, edit, or reject individual line items.
7. Click Generate BOM to create a full material list from accepted items.

5.2 What AI Does and Doesn't Do

What it does:

• Identifies panel schedules, circuit layouts, and device symbols
• Extracts quantities and types of fixtures, devices, and equipment
• Recognizes standard electrical symbols
• Maps items to VoltSpec's catalog of real part numbers

What it does NOT do:

• Guarantee accuracy — it's a starting point, not gospel
• Replace a qualified estimator — complex plans reduce accuracy
• Read specifications — spec'd manufacturers need manual verification
• Calculate wire runs — lengths need field verification
• Interpret local code amendments — jurisdiction rules applied separately

5.3 Best Practices for Accuracy

1. Upload clean, high-resolution plans. Blurry scans produce worse results.
2. Use PDF format when possible — preserves scale and text.
3. Upload electrical sheets specifically — not the full plan set.
4. Review every line item. Don't blindly accept the takeoff.
5. Cross-reference with the spec book for manufacturer requirements.
6. Start with smaller plans to learn the workflow.

Tools & Features

6.1 Panel Schedule / SVG Blueprint

Generate a visual panel schedule showing breaker layout, circuit assignments, and load calculations.

1. Open Panel Schedule from the Widget Field.
2. Select your panel (or generate one from a job).
3. View the SVG blueprint: two-column layout (odd/even), breaker assignments, load summary with color-coded utilization %, GFCI/AFCI badges.
4. Export to PDF — professional panel schedule document.

6.2 Labor Estimating

Estimate labor hours and costs based on task templates and labor classifications.

1. Open Labor Estimating from the Widget Field.
2. Select your labor classification (12 Texas classifications: journeyman, apprentice, foreman, etc.).
3. Browse 65+ task templates.
4. Select tasks and enter quantities.
5. VoltSpec calculates total hours, costs, HazLoc premiums, and overtime projections.

6.3 Change Orders

Track job modifications with an audit trail and safety flagging.

1. Open Change Orders from an active job.
2. Click New Change Order.
3. Add line items — tagged as Add, Remove, or Modify.
4. Enter labor, overhead, and profit.
5. VoltSpec auto-generates NEC compliance notes and HazLoc flags.
6. Submit for approval via the role-based workflow.
7. Export to PDF with signature lines.

6.4 Invoicing & Proposals

Invoicing:

1. Open Invoice Generator.
2. Select the job. Choose type: standard, progress billing, or retainage.
3. Fill in company/customer info, terms, notes.
4. Review materials table (optional detail level).
5. Export to PDF — professional invoice with totals and tax.

Proposals:

1. Open Proposal Template.
2. Select the job — auto-fills from BOM and labor estimates.
3. Customize scope, investment summary, payment terms, T&C.
4. Export to PDF — customer-facing proposal with signature lines.

6.5 Job Costing

Track estimated vs. actual costs to understand profitability.

1. Open Job Costing and select a job.
2. View: Estimated (from BOM + labor) vs. Actual (invoices, time, purchases) vs. Variance (under / over budget).
3. Drill into categories: materials, labor, overhead, subcontractors.
4. Export to PDF with variance analysis.

6.6 Field Time Tracking & Service

Time Tracking:

1. Clock in when starting — captures time and location.
2. Clock out when done.
3. VoltSpec auto-detects premiums (overtime, holiday, hazard).
4. View weekly timesheets per crew member.
5. Export payroll CSV — ready for your payroll system.

Field Service:

• GPS geofencing — verify crew is at the correct site
• Photo documentation — capture conditions and progress
• Digital signatures — get sign-offs in the field
• Daily reports — auto-generated from time entries + notes
• Texas heat safety — alerts per OSHA guidelines

6.7 Scheduling

1. Open Scheduling.
2. Calendar view — all jobs and assignments.
3. Gantt chart — project timelines with dependencies.
4. Crew roster — assign members to jobs and shifts.
5. VoltSpec detects double-booking, overtime risk, and scheduling conflicts.
6. Shutdown templates — for planned outage work.
7. LOTO tracking — Lock Out/Tag Out scheduling.

6.8 Inventory & Tools

• Material tracking: Allocate to jobs, track on-site vs. in-shop, low-stock alerts with reorder suggestions.
• Tool tracking: Checkout/checkin, calibration tracking with expiry warnings, job-based assignment.

6.9 Analytics Dashboard

• Cost trends, labor efficiency, material spend by category, job profitability rankings.
• 10 sample jobs included to explore before adding your own data.
• Smart insights highlight notable patterns.
• CSV export for external analysis.

6.10 Submittals

Auto-generate submittal packages from your BOM.

1. Open Submittals from your job.
2. VoltSpec scans your BOM and identifies items from 8 supported manufacturers: Eaton, Lithonia, Lutron, Pass & Seymour, BRK, Bridgeport, Milbank, NSI.
3. Review the generated submittal package.
4. Export or share with the GC, engineer, or owner for approval.

Collaboration Features

7.1 Upload & Collaborate Modal

1. From any job, click Share or Collaborate.
2. Options: share BOM, upload documents (plans, specs, photos), invite collaborators with specific roles.
3. Select recipient and access level, then Send.

7.2 Roles & Permissions

7.3 Comments, Field Locking & HazLoc Sign-Off

• Threaded comments — add to any job, change order, or document. @mention team members.
• Field locking — prevents concurrent edits. Lock indicator shows who's editing.
• HazLoc sign-off — required for hazardous location work. Cannot be bypassed.

7.4 Sharing BOMs & Documents

With your supply house:

1. Generate your BOM.
2. Click Export → PDF, CSV, or Direct Order Link (where supported).
3. Your rep gets a clean, organized material list.

With team members:

1. Use the Collaborate modal to share.
2. Set permissions (view only, edit, full access).
3. Shared jobs appear in their dashboard.

PDF Exports & Documents

8.1 The 6 PDF Generators

All PDFs feature VoltSpec dark-theme branding with your job details. Generate from the relevant tool → Export PDF.

8.2 BOM / Quote Export

• Quote PDF — customer-facing with company info, materials, pricing, terms
• Material list PDF — simple list for internal use or supply house
• CSV — for Excel, QuickBooks, or other systems

When exporting in Phased View, the export includes phase context so your supply house knows which materials are for which stage.

Advanced Topics

9.1 Offline Mode

VoltSpec works without internet — critical for job sites with poor connectivity.

How it works:

• When online, VoltSpec caches job data locally (IndexedDB).
• Offline, you can view/edit jobs, create time entries, review material lists, access cached pricing.
• When connectivity returns, VoltSpec syncs automatically in the background.
• A connectivity indicator shows your current status.

Limitations:

• AI Plan Takeoff requires internet.
• New BOM generation may be limited (depends on cached catalog).
• Real-time collaboration requires connectivity.

9.2 QuickBooks Online Integration

Setup: Settings → QuickBooks → Connect → Authorize via OAuth2 (secure, VoltSpec never sees your QB password).

Conflicts are detected automatically — you choose which version to keep.

9.3 Pricing Notes

• VoltSpec shows public reference pricing — a baseline for estimating, not a quote.
• Your actual pricing depends on your supply house relationship, contracts, and volume.
• Wire and conduit always show "Speak to sales." Commodity prices change daily — any automated price would be wrong by the time you order.
• For accurate costing, get a formal quote from your preferred distributor.

9.4 Jurisdiction & NEC Code Handling

VoltSpec maps every jurisdiction to an NEC version, utility requirements, panel series, and device preferences — all applied automatically when you select a city/state.

Coming soon: Texas adopting NEC 2026 effective September 1, 2026.

9.5 Industrial & HazLoc Jobs

Industrial: 19 specialized job types for higher voltages, larger equipment, and stricter safety protocols.

HazLoc: 8 job types for Class I/II/III, Division 1/2 hazardous locations per NEC Article 500:

• Dedicated material catalog with explosion-proof and intrinsically safe alternatives
• Recommendation engine based on classification
• Automatic HazLoc flagging on change orders
• Mandatory sign-off — cannot be bypassed
• HazLoc labor premiums auto-calculated
• Industrial onboarding flow for first-time users

Troubleshooting & Support

10.1 Common Issues

10.2 Feedback Widget

Look for the feedback icon in the bottom corner of the screen. Click to submit bugs, suggestions, or questions.

Include: what you were doing, what happened, your browser/device, and the job type/jurisdiction if relevant.

10.3 Support

• Feedback widget — fastest for bugs and features
• Website: voltspec.online
• Trial: Use code VOLTPRO7 for 7-day Pro