How to quote an electrical job (for Australian electricians)
Power points, downlights, fans, smoke alarms, switchboards and EV chargers. What to look at on site, how to price the common items, and a worked example that adds up.
Updated
Electrical work is one of the easiest trades to quote well, because most jobs break down into countable items: points, lights, fans, alarms, circuits. The trick is seeing everything on site, so the quote you send is the job you do.
What to check on site
Before you write a number down, look at:
- The switchboard. Single or three phase, spare capacity, existing protection, age. Pre-1990 boards may have asbestos backing.
- Roof space and access. Ceiling height, roof pitch, insulation, how easy the runs are. Single or double storey.
- Wall construction. Brick, plasterboard, lath and plaster. Brick walls mean chasing.
- What the customer actually wants. Where every point goes, the type of downlight, whether the fan is supplied.
- Smoke alarms. In Queensland especially, check what the property needs under the state's smoke alarm laws.
Take photos. They save a second trip and settle questions later.
How to price the common items
Price new work per item where you can. Here are rough starting prices for common electrical items, ex GST. Use them as a sanity check against your own costs and rates, not as a price list:
| Item | Rough starting price (ex GST) |
|---|---|
| Double power point | $200 each |
| USB-A/C double power point | $240 each |
| Outdoor weatherproof power point | $260 each |
| Data point, Cat6 | $200 each |
| New circuit from the switchboard | $350 each |
| LED downlight, tri-colour (new) | $150 each |
| Swap halogen downlight to LED | $95 each |
| Ceiling fan with light, supplied and installed | $450 each |
| Smoke alarm, 240V photoelectric, interconnected | $195 each |
| Safety switch (RCD) added to the board | $220 each |
| Switchboard upgrade, single phase, RCBO protection | $1,800 |
| EV charger 7kW single phase, supplied and installed | $1,900 |
| Call-out and first half hour | $120 |
| Fault-finding and labour | $110 an hour |
Adjust for access (two-storey, high ceilings, brick), after-hours work and your area. For service work, a call-out fee covers travel and stops the 15-minute job costing you an hour. See how to price a job for working out your own rates.
Options sell well in electrical
Electrical quotes suit optional extras and pick-one choices:
- "Tri-colour downlights at $150 each, or premium dimmable flush-fit at $195 each"
- "Add a USB power point in the kitchen for $240"
- "Add a sensor floodlight over the driveway for $240"
Customers like choosing, and many pick the better option.
A worked example
A small kitchen and living room job:
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| 4 double power points at $200 | $800.00 |
| 6 LED downlights, tri-colour, at $150 | $900.00 |
| 1 ceiling fan with light, supplied and installed | $450.00 |
| Subtotal (ex GST) | $2,150.00 |
| GST (10%) | $215.00 |
| Total including GST | $2,365.00 |
Optional extras the customer could tick: USB power point ($240 + GST), sensor floodlight ($240 + GST).
Licence and compliance notes
- All electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician in every state and territory.
- Certify the work. Say on the quote that a certificate of compliance will be supplied on completion. The name and form differ by state (for example a CCEW in NSW or a Certificate of Electrical Safety in Victoria).
- Show your licence number on the quote.
- Standards. Work is done to AS/NZS 3000. New downlights near insulation should be IC-rated.
If you're unsure of your state's paperwork, check with your state's electrical safety regulator.
Quoting bigger electrical jobs
Switchboard upgrades
Look at the existing board before you quote. Note single or three phase, the number of circuits, what protection is there, and the board's age. Quote the new board with RCBO protection, any extra RCBOs per circuit, sub-boards if needed, and an allowance for asbestos precautions on pre-1990 boards. Say whether the supply authority needs to be involved and who arranges it.
EV chargers
Ask about the car, the charger the customer wants (or whether they're supplying it), single or three phase supply, the distance from the board to the parking spot, and whether the board has capacity. Quote the charger supplied and installed, or install only, plus any extra cable run or board work.
Smoke alarms
For smoke alarm jobs, count bedrooms, hallways and levels. Queensland's smoke alarm laws require interconnected photoelectric alarms, and other states have their own rules, so check what applies to the property. Offer a pick-one choice between 240V hardwired and 10-year lithium wireless interconnected alarms, so the customer can choose.
Mistakes to avoid
- Not checking the board. A simple "add two circuits" can turn into a board upgrade. Look first.
- Forgetting patching and painting. Say whether it's included. Usually it isn't.
- Quoting fault-finding as a fixed price. Estimate it with a call-out and hourly rate instead. See quote vs estimate.
- No GST line. If you're registered, show the GST. See GST on quotes.
Make it quick to send
Most electrical quotes are small and frequent, so speed matters. Karven brings up common electrical items with starting prices as you type, adds your private profit to every price, and lets the customer accept and pay a deposit on their phone. See Karven for electricians, or grab a free electrical quote template.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Check your state's electrical safety regulator for licensing and certification rules.
Common questions
- How much should an electrician charge per power point?
- Supply and install of a standard double power point on an easy run is often quoted from around $180 to $250 ex GST, more for USB outlets, outdoor weatherproof points or difficult access. Use your own costs and rates; these are rough starting points only.
- Should I quote electrical work per point or per hour?
- Per point (or per item) for new work you can see and count, like power points and downlights. Hourly with a call-out fee for fault-finding, where you can't know the job until you start.
- What should be on an electrical quote?
- Your licence number, the items and quantities, what's included (cabling, testing, compliance certificate), exclusions like patching and painting, the total including GST, and your payment terms.
- Do I need to include the compliance certificate on the quote?
- It's good practice to say the work will be certified on completion and that the customer gets a copy. The certificate's name and how it's lodged differ by state.
- How do I quote a switchboard upgrade?
- Look at the existing board first: single or three phase, how many circuits, what protection is there, and whether there's any asbestos backing on older boards. Quote the board, RCBOs per circuit, any sub-boards and an allowance for asbestos precautions on older homes.
Write and send the quote from your phone
With Karven, your customer gets a clear quote, you keep a private breakdown, and a follow-up is ready when a quote goes quiet.
- A clear quote on their phone
- Your private breakdown, kept for later
- Follow-ups Karven writes for you
Free for 21 days, with no card needed.
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