What an electrical work order is for
Electrical crews need exact information: which circuits move where, the wire sizes, whether the utility is booked, and when the homeowner has agreed to be without power. A work order puts that on one sheet with the materials list, and it comes back with the labeled panel, the test results and the sign-off.
What to put on an electrical work order
- Equipment and materials to load, with sizes.
- Each task in order, including utility timing.
- Panel location, attic and crawl access.
- When power may be off and who has been told.
- Tests to run and record before leaving.
- Sign-off from the lead and the homeowner.
A worked example
Panel swap day. The utility disconnect is booked for 8am. The crew needs the material list, the circuit plan and the access notes. Prices are hidden on this copy.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Install meter base and mast | 1 | each | Your price |
| Install panel and main breaker | 1 | each | Your price |
| Transfer and label circuits | 1 | each | Your price |
| Run EV circuit to garage | 40 | ft | Your price |
| Install surge protector | 1 | each | Your price |
| Test circuits and record readings | 1 | each | Your price |
Put the utility appointment, the fridge with medication the owner mentioned, and the garage access in site notes. The instructions ask for a photo of the labeled panel for the job file.
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. |
How to fill it in
- Fill in the customer, the site and the date.
- Add who is assigned, the arrival window and access.
- List the tasks and materials in the order the crew will need them.
- Put gate codes, pets and anything to protect in the site notes.
- Print it for the truck or send it to the crew's phone as a PDF.
Free tools for electrical
- Electrician labor rate calculator
- Voltage drop calculator
- EV charger installation cost calculator
- Labor rate calculator
The same work order 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.