AIM
Architectural Insight for Modernization
Layer 1 Physical Infrastructure
Understanding L1 Cost Estimation in AIM
AIM includes optional Layer 1 (L1) physical infrastructure cost estimation for projects that involve structured cabling, network drops, pathways, and related work. This page explains what L1 estimates include, how costs are calculated, and important limitations.
1. What L1 Estimates Include
Materials
- •Copper cable (Cat6, Cat6a)
- •Fiber cable (singlemode, multimode)
- •Terminations (jacks, patch panels, faceplates)
- •Pathways (cable tray, conduit, J-hooks)
- •Firestop (penetrations, sleeves)
- •Testing and certification
Labor
- •Low-voltage technicians
- •Lead technicians
- •Supervisors
- •Electricians (for conduit/pathway work)
- •Construction laborers
- •Construction project managers
2. Data Sources
Labor Rates
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES)
Update Frequency: Annually (BLS releases OES data every May for the prior year)
Base wages are multiplied by a loaded rate (1.45-1.75x) to account for benefits, taxes, and overhead per industry standard practice.
Material Pricing
Source: Manufacturer MSRP, industry benchmarks
Update Frequency: Quarterly review (materials are generally stable commodities)
Cables, connectors, and pathway materials are priced at typical contractor cost, not retail pricing.
3. Cost Adjustment Factors
AIM applies several adjustment factors to provide more accurate estimates for your specific project:
| Factor | Adjustment | When Applied |
|---|---|---|
| Regional | Varies by state (80-140% of national) | When project state is specified |
| Building Type | 90-125% (healthcare highest) | Based on building type selection |
| Construction Type | 100-120% (renovation adds 20%) | New construction vs. retrofit |
| Ceiling Type | 100-125% (hard lid highest) | Drop ceiling vs. open/exposed |
| Union Labor | +35% | When union labor checkbox is selected |
| Prevailing Wage | +25% | Davis-Bacon or state requirements |
! What L1 Estimates Do NOT Include
The following items are explicitly excluded from L1 cost estimates:
- •Permits & Inspections — Vary by jurisdiction, typically 0.5-2% of project value. Contact your local building department for specific requirements and fees.
- •Fire Marshal Inspections — Special inspections required for firestop work in many jurisdictions.
- •General Contractor Overhead — Markup, profit, and bonds (typically 10-20%).
- •Site-Specific Conditions — Asbestos abatement, lead paint remediation, structural modifications, unknown conditions discovered during work.
- •Electrical Panel Upgrades — If additional power is needed for IDF rooms.
- •HVAC Modifications — Cooling for equipment rooms/IDF closets.
4. Building Codes & Local Requirements
AIM does not track jurisdiction-specific building codes or Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) requirements. There are over 10,000 local jurisdictions in the United States, each with potentially different:
- •Permit requirements and fees
- •Local code amendments
- •Inspection requirements
- •Fire marshal jurisdiction rules
Recommendation: Always consult with licensed low-voltage contractors familiar with local building codes in your project location before finalizing budgets.
5. Where L1 Costs Appear in AIM
When you enable Layer 1 scope in your assessment, L1 cost estimates appear in:
Generate RFP
Appendix B includes L1 pricing section with reference estimate and vendor response template.
Executive Summary
Physical Infrastructure section with materials and labor breakdown.
Implementation Guide
Investment section includes L1 cost summary with assumptions and disclaimer.
TCO Calculator
Optional checkbox to include L1 materials and labor in Year 1 costs.
Vendor Brief
Contractor categories section listing required trades.