How to Estimate & Quote Electrical Jobs (+ Free Template)

Accurately estimating and quoting electrical jobs is a crucial skill that can make or break your electrical business. It’s not just about numbers; a well-prepared quote builds trust with your customers, ensures your work is profitable, and saves you headaches down the line.

This step-by-step guide will show you how to estimate costs and build a winning quote for electrical jobs. By the end of this blog, you’ll know:

• How to choose the right jobs to quote for 
• What costs you need to include (and some tips on estimating them)
• How to build your quote digitally

Plus, we’ve included a free electrical job quote template you can download just below.

Only Quote Jobs You Want (and Can Deliver)

Taking on every job that comes your way might seem tempting, but it’s not always a good idea. Quoting for work outside your skill set or capacity can lead to delays, costly errors, and frustrated clients.

How to Choose the Right Jobs:

Assess the Job Scope

Is it a simple residential project like installing new sockets, or a complex commercial job requiring advanced expertise? Ensure the work aligns with not only your skills, but perhaps more importantly, your resources.

Evaluate the Existing Setup

Check the property’s current electrical system to spot any potential limitations or challenges early. For example, old wiring might mean additional costs for upgrades. It’ll also mean you have to make some potential scheduling changes, which is never ideal.

Conduct a Site Visit

For larger or more complex jobs, visiting the site will help with the above. There’s always a risk of missing crucial details, like structural obstacles or inadequate electrical panels, if you rely solely on client descriptions.

Estimate Material Costs

• • List Essential Materials  
    Create a material checklist based on the project needs. Common items include: 
    
    • Wires, cables, conduits
    • Switches, outlets, and circuit breakers
    • Light fixtures and mounting hardware
      
  • Check Supplier Prices
    Research current prices from your suppliers. Prices can fluctuate for items like copper wiring, so staying updated is essential.
  • Account for Waste & Unforeseen Needs
    Always add a buffer (usually 5–10%) for waste or unexpected requirements.
  • Include a Markup
    Add a markup to cover transportation, handling, and profit. This way, you’re not just breaking even – you’re earning on materials too.

How to include materials in your quote

Break your materials down into line items to help customers easily understand and visualise the costs involved. To your customers, certain costs can be perceived as high, but often that’s because they don’t understand what’s included or involved.

Make sure to add your markup as a percentage to ensure your pricing covers both expenses and profits.

Break Down Labour Costs

Labour is often the single largest component of your quote, so it’s crucial to get it right. Misjudging this can mean overspending on wages or undercharging for your time.

Labour Cost Formula:

If you have an accurate hourly rate, your labour cost is easily calculated:

Labour Cost = (Hourly Rate) × (Number of Hours Required)

The tricky part is knowing how long a job can take. Often, this comes with experience, but here are some tips to help gauge a job’s length in the quoting stage:

• Figure out the complexity 

  Factor in how involved the work is. For example, replacing an old panel is easier than installing a custom lighting system. Budget more time (and therefore more labour hours) for more complex jobs.

• Break down the job into smaller components

  It’s far easier to estimate how long a job will take if you think about it as smaller components.

Don’t Forget Overhead Costs

What Are Overhead Costs? 

Overheads are ongoing business expenses that aren’t tied directly to a specific project but are essential to running your business.

Common Overheads to Include:

• Vehicle Costs 

  Fuel, maintenance, and toll charges add up quickly, especially for jobs further away.

• Office Expenses 

  Think of software subscriptions, phone bills, and administrative costs.

• Insurance & Taxes 

 Don’t forget public liability insurance and any licensing fees needed for your business.

Example: Say your monthly overheads (vehicle expenses, rent, software, etc.) are £1,500. You work 150 billable hours a month. Your overhead cost per hour is £10, which should be added to every job estimate.

Failing to include your overheads in quotes means you’re eating away at your profit, even if the labour and material costs are covered.

Tip: You can add your overhead costs to your hourly rate to keep your quote simple and clear.

Add Any Other Details For Your Customer

Quoting electrical jobs is more than just a summary of costs – it’s an opportunity to set expectations and build trust with your customer. Here are a few key details you might want to include:

1. Project Timeline 

Give an estimated start and completion date for the job. This helps manage expectations and demonstrates your commitment to meeting deadlines.

2. Payment Terms 

Outline payment schedules – for example, a deposit upfront and the balance upon completion – as well as accepted payment methods. Clarity on this helps prevent misunderstandings later.

3. Validity Period 

State how long the quote is valid for. Pricing for materials may fluctuate, so giving the customer a timeframe avoids disputes and encourages prompt decision-making.

How To Build Your Quote

Templates 

A simple quote template makes it easy to be consistent and look professional.

Download Our Free Quote Template 

We’ve created a handy, printable template to get you started. Click here to download.

What does a template offer?

• • Download it and pre-fill your own details to save time
  • Auto-calculated VAT & totals
  • Quick & easy to organise and email to customers.

Quoting Software 

For those looking to take their quoting process to the next level, quoting software like FieldRocket offers features such as:

• Pre-filled customer or client data to make quotes quicker
• Custom branding by easily including your logo
• E-signatures and follow-up automation 
• Easily add notes such as validity periods and anything else.

Tools like this not only save time but also help you stand out as a professional tradesperson.

Build winning quotes with FieldRocket

Integrated with your company and customer data, easy line items, and professionally laid out.

Get started with a 7-day free trial by clicking below.

Frequently Asked Questions