What should an electrical estimate include?

An electrical estimate should name the work and equipment and explain what the price includes. List anything you still need to check before confirming the work. A panel replacement, a new charger installation and a diagnostic visit need different descriptions.

The examples below show how to present that information to a customer. All prices are invented for illustration. They are not market rates or installation specifications. Choose equipment and installation methods from your site assessment, manufacturer instructions and applicable local requirements.

Example: replacing an electrical panel

For this fictional example, a customer requests an electrical panel replacement. Your assessment establishes whether the work is limited to the panel or includes other parts of the electrical service. If the meter equipment, incoming supply or existing circuits need work, name that work explicitly.

Work included:

• Remove the existing panel and install the replacement specified in the quote.
• Reconnect and label the existing circuits listed in the quote.
• Test the installation.

Not included: changes to the meter or incoming supply.

Before sending, fill in the equipment specification and list which existing circuits are covered. State how long the power will be off and who will arrange the shutoff.

Do not leave “panel replacement” to imply work you have not priced. The customer needs to know whether the following are included:

• Meter or service entrance alterations.
• Repairs to existing circuits.
• Wall, paint or siding repairs.
• Utility charges, if any.

Example: installing an EV charger

An electric vehicle charger estimate should say who supplies the charger, where it will be installed and what electrical work is included. Confirm the installation requirements before promising a particular charging capacity.

In this fictional request, a customer asks you to install a charger they have bought for their garage. Your site assessment confirms a route from the garage panel along the inside wall.

Work included:

• Mount the customer-supplied charger on the garage wall beside the vehicle parking space.
• Install the circuit from the existing panel to the charger in surface-mounted conduit along the inside garage wall.
• Connect, test and set up the charger.

Before sending, add the charger’s brand and model, mounting position, measured route length and equipment specification from your assessment. If you use a drawing, attach it with its revision date.

This example excludes the charger itself, trenching and alterations to the existing electrical supply. If your assessment identifies additional work, describe it and show its price in the quote for the customer to approve.

If you have not confirmed the existing supply can support the proposed installation, say that the final scope and price depend on that assessment. Do not quote a complete installation and leave a possible supply upgrade unexplained.

Example: a diagnostic visit before a repair

For this example, a customer reports an electrical fault and asks for a repair price. Explain the diagnostic charge first. You can quote the repair after identifying the problem.

For example:

Diagnostic visit: $160 before any applicable tax, including travel and up to one hour to find the cause of the problem. We will send the findings, repair description and price in writing and obtain your written approval before carrying out a repair.

If your service uses another charging method, describe that instead. State what happens if diagnosis needs more time, and obtain written approval for the additional time and charge before continuing.

How should you describe exclusions and local requirements?

An exclusion says which work is outside the quoted price. Use plain descriptions, such as “wall patching and painting are not included,” rather than “making good by others.”

Where access or existing conditions are uncertain, explain the next action. For example:

This price covers a circuit along the inside garage wall from the panel to the charger. If that route is blocked, we will send a written description and price for the alternative, including any schedule change. We will obtain your written approval before continuing.

Permit requirements and electrical rules depend on the location and work. Check the relevant building department's requirements and use the final equipment specification to prepare the quote. These examples are a way to explain the offer, not a substitute for required contract documents.

How can DoneQuote help you prepare an electrical estimate?

Keep your service descriptions and prices in DoneQuote, then describe the job to create a draft. You can reuse the wording for installation, testing and exclusions while checking what applies to this site.

Before sending, confirm the equipment and scope. Add the work schedule, warranty and payment terms. State whether tax is included and show the amount due. The customer receives a link to review and approve the estimate. You can see which version they accepted.

See DoneQuote for electricians to see how the software works, or how much line-item detail to show for help deciding how to present the price.