What an electrical estimate is for
Electrical work is invisible to most homeowners, so the estimate is how they understand what they are buying. Naming the amperage, the number of circuits, the code items such as arc-fault and ground-fault protection, and the permit makes the price make sense. It also sets expectations for the day the power is off and the inspector visits.
What to put on an electrical estimate
- The panel or service size, and the brand of equipment.
- Each new circuit with what it feeds.
- Code-required protection that the old setup lacked.
- Permit, inspection and utility coordination.
- How long the power will be off.
- What happens if existing wiring is found unsafe.
- The deposit and how long the price holds.
A worked example
An older house with a full panel and the homeowner adding a heat pump and an EV charger. The service and panel need upgrading, and the utility must disconnect for the meter work.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service upgrade, meter base and mast | 1 | each | Your price |
| Panel replacement with main breaker | 1 | each | Your price |
| Transfer existing circuits and label panel | 1 | each | Your price |
| Arc-fault breakers where required | 8 | each | Your price |
| EV charger circuit | 1 | each | Your price |
| Whole-house surge protector | 1 | each | Your price |
| Permit and inspection | 1 | each | Your price |
The arc-fault line has a count, not a promise; the number depends on which circuits code reaches once the panel is changed. Say so in the notes, and state the expected power-off window.
Line items electricians use
| Line item | Unit | How to write it |
|---|---|---|
| Service call | each | The trip and the first part of troubleshooting. |
| Panel replacement, with breakers | each | Amperage, brand and number of spaces. |
| Service upgrade, meter base and mast | each | Say who coordinates the disconnect and reconnect with the utility. |
| New circuit, home run to panel | each | Wire size, breaker size and what it feeds. |
| Receptacle, add or replace | each | Note GFCI or AFCI protection where code calls for it. |
| Light fixture install, customer supplied | each | Say who supplied the fixture and whether a new box is needed. |
| Recessed light | each | Count the cans and say whether the ceiling is open or finished. |
| Ceiling fan with fan-rated box | each | Include the brace if the existing box is not fan rated. |
| EV charger circuit | each | Amperage, run length and whether the panel has room. |
| Whole-house surge protector | each | Installed at the panel. |
| Smoke and CO detectors, hardwired | each | Interconnected where required. |
| Wire run | ft | For long runs priced by the foot, with the wire size. |
| Permit and inspection | each | Electrical permits are required for most new circuits; check local rules. |
| Electrical labor | hour | Troubleshooting and work that cannot be priced flat. |
Terms and deposit language for electrical
- Deposit. Small service calls are paid on completion. Panel changes, service upgrades and remodel wiring take a deposit at signing for equipment and the schedule. Check your state's rules on deposits.
- Payment. Balance due when the work passes inspection or, for work that needs no permit, when it is done and tested.
- Warranty. State your workmanship warranty and that devices and fixtures carry the maker's warranty. Customer-supplied fixtures are covered for installation only.
- Work is done to the electrical code adopted where the job is, and the inspector has the final word.
- If opening a wall or panel shows unsafe existing wiring, it is reported to the customer and quoted before any repair.
- Utility scheduling for a disconnect is outside your control; say how a delay is handled.
How to fill it in
- Put in your business details once; this browser keeps them for every template.
- Fill in the customer and the job.
- Change the line items to fit this job and add your prices.
- Set tax, the deposit and the good-until date.
- Print to PDF, download Word or CSV, or send it from Koira.
Free tools for electrical
- Electrician labor rate calculator
- Voltage drop calculator
- EV charger installation cost calculator
- Labor rate calculator
The same estimate for other trades: appliance repair, auto detailing, carpet cleaning, chimney, house cleaning, commercial cleaning, concrete, drywall, fence, flooring, garage door, general contractor, gutter, handyman, hvac, irrigation, junk removal, landscaping, lawn care, locksmith, moving, painting, pest control, plumbing, pool service, pressure washing, remodeling, roofing, septic, snow removal, solar, tree service, waterproofing, window cleaning.
More for electricians: how electricians run on Koira.