Where electricians buy
Electricians buy wire, gear and devices from an electrical distributor, where pricing on wire changes with copper.
| Supplier | Type | What their own site says | Pro program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graybar | Distributor | Distributor of electrical, communications and data networking products, with a network of 350 locations across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. | Ask at the counter |
| The Home Depot | Retailer | Calls itself the world's largest home improvement retailer, with more than 2,300 stores across North America. | Pro Xtra |
| Lowe's | Retailer | Runs MyLowe's Pro Rewards for small and mid-sized pros, with points from the first dollar spent. | MyLowe's Pro Rewards |
From each supplier's own site on the date in the sources; call your branch before you plan around it.
Your counter list
The items electricians buy every week, from the van stock on our tools list. Ask each supplier for a price on these first; they decide which account saves you the most.
| Item | Why it is on the list |
|---|---|
| Receptacles, switches, GFCI and AFCI devices | Most service calls |
| Old-work and new-work boxes | Adding outlets and lights |
| Romex in the common gauges | Short runs and repairs |
| Wire nuts, connectors and staples | Every job |
| Breakers for the panels you see most | Same-day panel fixes |
| Cover plates and blank covers | Finishing the job clean |
For the first order, price the starter kit too: lineman's pliers, diagonal cutters and needle-nose pliers; wire strippers sized for the wire you use most; insulated screwdrivers and nut drivers; non-contact voltage tester; multimeter; clamp meter; fish tape and glow rods; cordless drill, impact driver and a hole saw kit; step ladder, fiberglass; voltage tester with continuity, for lockout checks. Bigger purchases to price at a dealer or rental house: conduit bender and a reaming tool; right-angle drill and auger bits; circuit tracer or breaker finder; cable puller or wire pulling lube and grips; multi-position ladder; label maker.
Opening a trade account
Bring your business name, tax ID and license number, and a credit application if you want terms. The big-box programs are compared row by row on Home Depot Pro vs Lowe's Pro. For the tools themselves, the electrical tools list has prices read on the makers' own sites (Fluke, Little Giant).
When supplier prices change
Update your electrical price list the same week a supplier raises prices. In Koira, that price list is what your estimates are built from.
Sources
- Graybar: About us, checked October 9, 2026
- The Home Depot: About, checked October 9, 2026
- Lowe's: MyLowe's Pro Rewards announcement, checked October 9, 2026
Last checked October 9, 2026. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change and differ by state and city, so confirm with the agency named before you act.