Free Electrical Estimate
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1105 Birch Lane, Austin, TX 78745
Date: April 15, 2026 | Valid for 30 days
$10,921
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What Every Electrical Estimate Should Include
How to Write a Electrical Estimate in 5 Steps
Step 1: Assess the Existing System
Inspect the electrical panel, check its age and capacity, test circuits, and note any code violations. Look for aluminum wiring, Federal Pacific panels, or double-tapped breakers. Document everything. Your assessment justifies the scope.
Step 2: Spec Materials and Equipment
List every component: panel brand/size, breaker types, wire gauge and footage, outlet/switch counts, cover plates, and junction boxes. For a panel upgrade: new panel, main breaker, branch breakers, grounding rod, and meter socket if needed.
Step 3: Calculate Labor Hours
Electrical labor runs $65 to $120/hr. A panel upgrade takes 8-12 hours. A whole-house rewire takes 3-5 days for a 2-person crew. Factor in drywall patching access, attic/crawl space work, and inspection scheduling.
Step 4: Add Permits and Markup
Electrical work requires permits everywhere ($150-$500). Apply your markup (20-30%). On a $8,000 job, 25% markup is $2,000. Always note that work will pass inspection. It protects the homeowner’s insurance and resale value.
Step 5: Send It and Follow Up
Export a clean PDF and send within 24 hours. Include a brief explanation of why the work is needed (safety, code compliance, capacity). Homeowners often don’t understand electrical scope. Educate and you’ll close more.
Average Electrical Job Costs to Guide Your Estimates
Use these benchmarks as starting points. Actual costs vary by region, materials, and job complexity.
| Job Type | Material Cost | Labor Cost | Total Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200A panel upgrade | $1,500 – $2,500 | $1,500 – $3,000 | $4,000 – $6,500 |
| Whole-house rewire (2,000 sq ft) | $4,000 – $8,000 | $6,000 – $10,000 | $12,000 – $20,000 |
| EV charger install (Level 2) | $300 – $600 | $500 – $1,200 | $1,000 – $2,500 |
| Outlet/switch install (per unit) | $15 – $30 | $75 – $150 | $100 – $200 |
| Recessed lighting (6 cans) | $300 – $600 | $400 – $800 | $800 – $1,500 |
| Generator install (whole-home) | $3,000 – $6,000 | $2,000 – $4,000 | $6,000 – $12,000 |
Costs vary by region. Get a location-specific estimate in 6 seconds with SimplyWise AI Estimator →
Estimating Best Practices for Electrical Contractors
Always pull permits. No exceptions.
Unpermitted electrical work is a liability bomb. It voids insurance, kills resale value, and puts your license at risk. Build permit costs into every estimate. Clients who push back on permits aren’t clients you want.
Photograph the existing panel and wiring
Document the current state before touching anything. Panel labels, wire colors, existing violations. Photograph it all. It justifies your scope, protects you legally, and shows the client why the work matters.
Itemize by circuit, not by hour
Clients understand ’20 new circuits at $X each’ better than ’24 hours at $Y/hr.’ Per-circuit pricing is transparent, easy to compare, and lets clients add or remove scope without re-quoting everything.
Include code upgrade costs upfront
Bringing old work up to current NEC code is part of the job. Don’t surprise clients with ‘while we were in there’ charges. Identify code issues during assessment and price them in the original estimate.
Offer smart home / EV-ready upgrades
While the panel is open, suggest EV charger prep, smart switches, or whole-home surge protection. These are high-margin add-ons that clients appreciate. Show the cost now vs. retrofitting later.
Explain the safety value
Most homeowners don’t understand why electrical work costs what it does. A brief note explaining that proper wiring prevents fires, protects appliances, and meets insurance requirements turns price objections into safety discussions.
Estimate Template vs. Estimating Software
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