What should an electrical quote include?

A professional electrical quote should include: your company name, address, and contact details; your NICEIC or NAPIT registration number; the customer's name and address; a detailed description of the works to be carried out; a breakdown of materials (with quantities where practical) and labour; the total price including VAT (if VAT-registered); your payment terms; the period for which the quote is valid (typically 30 days); what is specifically excluded from the price; and the applicable terms and conditions. For domestic customers, include the customer's cancellation rights under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013.

Should I give a fixed price or an estimate?

A fixed price (or fixed-price quote) means you commit to completing the work for the stated amount regardless of how long it takes, within the defined scope. An estimate is an indication of likely cost that can change. For most domestic electrical work, a fixed price is strongly preferable — customers want certainty and are more likely to accept a fixed price than an open-ended estimate. Reserve estimates for work where the scope genuinely cannot be determined in advance (e.g. rewires of properties with concealed wiring where the true condition of circuits is unknown until opened up). Always be clear in your written quote which type of price you are giving.

How long should my electrical quote be valid for?

State a validity period of 30 days for most electrical quotes. This protects you against material price increases and allows you to manage your workload. For larger commercial jobs where the customer may need board approval, 60 days is reasonable. After the validity period expires, you can choose to honour the original price or requote. Always state the validity period clearly — without one, a customer could theoretically come back six months later and expect the original price to apply.

Do I need to show VAT on my electrical quote?

If you are VAT-registered (mandatory above the VAT registration threshold, currently £90,000 turnover in a rolling 12-month period), you must show prices including and excluding VAT, or clearly state that prices are "plus VAT at 20%". For domestic electrical installation work, the standard rate of VAT is 20 per cent. New residential construction can be zero-rated, and some energy efficiency installations (EV chargers, certain insulation) may qualify for the reduced 5 per cent rate. If you are not VAT-registered, state "prices are not subject to VAT".

Can I charge for producing a quote?

You can charge a survey or consultation fee that is redeemable against the work if the customer proceeds. This is most appropriate for large or complex jobs (full rewires, commercial fit-out) where the survey visit takes significant time. For straightforward domestic jobs, customers generally expect free quotes and charging a fee will cost you the opportunity. If you do charge a survey fee, this must be agreed with the customer before the visit — you cannot impose it after the fact.

What happens if the job takes longer than quoted?

On a fixed-price quote, additional time at your cost is your risk if the scope was clearly defined and you priced it incorrectly. However, if the additional work arises from scope changes requested by the customer, unforeseen conditions (e.g. concealed wiring in worse condition than visible inspection suggested), or instructions from the customer during the job, these are variations. Your terms and conditions should clearly state that variations will be quoted separately and that unforeseen conditions may affect the contract price. Issue a written variation order before carrying out any additional work, and get the customer to sign or confirm it in writing.

What are the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 and do they apply to my quotes?

The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 implement the EU Consumer Rights Directive into UK law (retained post-Brexit). They apply to contracts with domestic (consumer) customers entered into off-premises — meaning in the customer's home, on the street, or anywhere other than your business premises. They give the customer a 14-day right to cancel without penalty. For electrical contractors who quote at the customer's property and then proceed with work, these regulations apply. If you start work within the 14-day cancellation period (with the customer's agreement), and the customer then cancels, they must pay for work completed up to the point of cancellation. Your quote should acknowledge these rights.

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How to Write Electrical Quotes: A Professional Guide for UK Electricians

Professional quote structure, pricing strategy, materials and labour breakdown, contingency, payment terms, and the follow-up strategy that converts more quotes into accepted work — for domestic and commercial electrical jobs.

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14 min readUpdated 2026-05-18Andrew Moore, Founder of Elec-Mate

Written and reviewed by Andrew Moore, founder of Elec-Mate, against BS 7671:2018+A4:2026, IET Guidance Note 3 and the IET On-Site Guide.

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Key Takeaways

1A professional written quote protects you legally and financially. An informal verbal quote or a WhatsApp message is not a contract — disputes about scope and price are far more common without a written document.
2The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 give domestic customers a 14-day cooling-off period on contracts entered into off-premises (e.g. in their home). Your quote should acknowledge this right.
3Always separate materials and labour in your quote. Customers who can see exactly what they are paying for raise fewer disputes. A single "lump sum" quote invites negotiation on the total.
4Payment terms must be stated in writing before work begins. For domestic customers, the most effective structure is a deposit (20 to 30 per cent), staged payments for larger jobs, and balance on practical completion.
5Follow up on every outstanding quote after five to seven working days. Studies consistently show that electricians who follow up win significantly more work than those who send a quote and wait.

01 · Business Guide

Why Professional Electrical Quotes Matter

Most electrical disputes — whether about price, scope, or payment — begin with an inadequate quote. A formal written quote is not bureaucracy: it is your first line of legal protection and your most powerful sales tool. Customers who receive a clear, professional quote are more likely to accept it, less likely to dispute the invoice, and more likely to recommend you to others.

Legal protection — a written quote accepted by the customer forms the basis of a contract. If a dispute goes to the small claims court, a well-written quote showing agreed scope and price is strong evidence in your favour.
Scope clarity — a detailed description of works prevents the customer from claiming you agreed to additional work at no extra cost. "Supply and fit 10 double sockets" is far better than "socket work".
Professionalism — research consistently shows that a professional written quote increases conversion rates. Customers perceive contractors who provide detailed, typed quotes as more competent and trustworthy than those who give verbal prices or WhatsApp messages.

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02 · Business Guide

Professional Electrical Quote Structure

A professional electrical quote follows a consistent structure that makes it easy for the customer to understand and compare, and easy for you to defend if challenged.

Header — your company name, logo, address, phone number, email, and company/VAT registration number. Include your NICEIC or NAPIT scheme number. Date of issue and a quote reference number for tracking.
Customer details — full name, property address where the work will be carried out, and contact details. If different from the works address, include a separate billing address.
Scope of works — describe in plain English what you will do, room by room or system by system. Be specific: "Install one 32A radial circuit in 6mm² cable from consumer unit to garage sub-board" is better than "garage supply". Include cable routes if known.
Exclusions — state clearly what is not included: making good, plastering, painting, floor reinstatement, permit to work, scaffolding. This prevents post-completion disputes about work you never quoted.
Assumptions — note any assumptions you have made about site conditions. "Price assumes cable can be routed through existing loft space and existing consumer unit has spare ways" protects you if conditions are different.
Pricing summary — materials subtotal, labour subtotal, VAT (if applicable), and total. For larger jobs, show a breakdown by area or phase.
Payment terms and validity — when payment is due, how payment should be made, and the date by which the customer must accept the quote for the price to be honoured.

03 · Business Guide

Pricing Strategy for Electrical Work

Winning the most work at the lowest price is not a sustainable business strategy. Your pricing must recover all your costs, pay you fairly for your skills, and generate a profit that funds investment in your business. Chronic under-pricing is the leading cause of electrical business failure.

Know your minimum viable rate — calculate your total annual costs (van, insurance, tools, phone, accountancy, training, pension) and divide by your billable hours (typically 1,200 to 1,400 for a sole trader). This is the minimum hourly rate at which you break even. Add your required profit margin above this.
Price the job, not the hours — experienced electricians price based on the value of the job to the customer and their knowledge of what similar work costs, not purely on time. A consumer unit upgrade that takes three hours should be priced at what consumer unit upgrades cost, not at three times your day rate.
Do not discount the quote — if a customer asks you to lower your price, the correct response is to reduce the scope, not the margin. Offer to exclude making good, or use a different specification cable tray, or carry out the work in two visits rather than one. Discounting trains customers to always ask for discounts.

04 · Business Guide

Materials and Labour Breakdown

Showing a breakdown of materials and labour in your quote is strongly recommended. It is more transparent for the customer, easier to defend if challenged, and allows you to adjust the quote cleanly if the customer requests changes.

Materials — list the key materials: consumer unit (manufacturer and model), cable specifications and approximate quantities, accessories (sockets, switches, luminaires), and any specialist items. You do not need to list every fixing and connector, but the major items should be visible. Mark up trade prices to your retail rate (typically 15 to 25 per cent above trade).
Labour — show estimated hours and your labour rate, or simply show a labour subtotal. You are not obliged to show your detailed labour build-up, but showing a labour figure separately from materials prevents disputes where the customer believes you are overcharging for materials you have "already paid for".
Certification and notification — include the cost of Part P Building Regulations notification (if required) and any test certificates (Electrical Installation Certificate, EICR) as a visible line item. Many customers do not realise these are a required part of the job and resist paying for them if they appear on the invoice without prior notice.

05 · Business Guide

Contingency and Risk Allowance

Every electrical quote for domestic work carries some risk of unforeseen conditions. Building in a sensible contingency is not dishonest — it is responsible pricing.

Concealed wiring — in older properties you cannot know the condition of existing wiring until it is accessed. State in your quote that "price assumes existing wiring is in satisfactory condition. Any additional remedial work required to existing circuits will be quoted separately."
Asbestos — in properties built before 2000, asbestos-containing materials may be present. If you suspect ACMs, the customer must arrange an asbestos survey before electrical work proceeds. State this explicitly in your quote.
Access and working conditions — if access to the loft, under floor, or plant rooms is required, note any assumptions about accessibility. If a customer has already floored a loft, cabled runs take significantly longer and the additional cost is legitimate.
Material price validity — include a statement that material prices are based on current trade prices and are subject to change if the start date is more than 30 days after the quote date.

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06 · Business Guide

Payment Terms and Payment Schedules

Clear payment terms stated upfront prevent the most common source of cashflow problems for electrical contractors. The Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 gives construction contractors (including subcontractors) statutory rights to interim payments — know these rights even for domestic work.

Deposit — for jobs over £500, take a deposit of 20 to 30 per cent on acceptance of the quote and before materials are ordered. For bespoke or custom-ordered items, a 50 per cent deposit on those items is reasonable. State the deposit requirement in your quote — customers expect it for professional contractors.
Staged payments — for larger domestic jobs (rewires, extensions), stage payments reduce your exposure. A typical structure: 30 per cent deposit, 30 per cent on completion of first fix, 30 per cent on completion of second fix, 10 per cent on practical completion and handover of certificates.
Payment method and timing — state that payment is due on completion (for straightforward jobs) or within seven days of invoice. Accept bank transfer rather than cash for larger jobs — it creates a record and reduces the risk of payment disputes.
Late payment — include a statement that late payment may incur interest under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 at 8 per cent above base rate. This applies to business-to-business contracts. For domestic customers, state your own late payment terms (e.g. 2 per cent per month after 14 days).

07 · Business Guide

What to Include to Avoid Disputes

Most post-completion disputes between electricians and customers arise from ambiguity in the original quote. The following inclusions, clearly stated, prevent the vast majority of disputes.

Variation procedure — state that any changes to the agreed scope requested by the customer will be the subject of a written variation order agreed before work proceeds. "Any additional works carried out at the customer's request will be charged at [rate] per hour plus materials unless separately quoted."
Making good — electrical work requires chasing, drilling, and cutting. State whether making good (plastering, repainting, floor reinstatement) is included or excluded. If excluded, tell the customer who is responsible and what trades will be needed.
Certification — confirm that you will issue the appropriate certificate on completion (Electrical Installation Certificate for new installations, Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate for additions and alterations) and that Building Regulations notification will be made where required.
Guarantee — state the period of your workmanship guarantee (typically 12 months) and what it covers. Distinguish between workmanship (your responsibility) and product failure (manufacturer's warranty).

Link your quote to your standard terms and conditions. For domestic customers, these should incorporate your obligations under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, including the 14-day cancellation right for off-premises contracts.

08 · Business Guide

Follow-Up Strategy

Sending a quote and waiting is leaving money on the table. A structured follow-up process consistently converts more quotes into accepted work without being pushy or unprofessional.

Day 1 — send and confirm — send the quote by email and send a brief text or WhatsApp to let the customer know it has been sent. Confirm they have received it and invite them to call with any questions.
Day 5 to 7 — first follow-up — call or message to ask if they have had the chance to review the quote and whether they have any questions. Do not ask "have you made a decision?" — ask "is there anything I can clarify?". This keeps the conversation constructive.
Day 14 — second follow-up — if no response, send a brief message noting that the quote validity period is approaching and you wanted to check if they would like to proceed or if they need any additional information.
Ask why if you lose — if a customer declines your quote, ask politely whether the decision was made on price, timing, or another factor. This information helps you improve your pricing and presentation over time.

09 · Business Guide

Tools for Professional Electrical Quoting

The fastest way to increase your quote conversion rate is to improve the quality and speed of your quoting process. Professional quotes that arrive the same day as the survey win significantly more work than quotes sent a week later.

Build Quotes on Your Phone

Use the Elec-Mate quoting app to build professional, branded quotes on your phone while still at the customer's property. Materials pricing is built in. Export to PDF and send by email before you leave. See also the tender writing guide for commercial work.

AI-Assisted Quoting

Elec-Mate's AI assistant (Mate) can generate draft quote scopes from a brief description, suggest materials lists, and help you price unfamiliar job types based on real UK trade data. Available via WhatsApp for instant access on site.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Electrical Quote Writing

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How to Write Electrical Quotes: A Professional Guide for UK Electricians

Key Takeaways

Why Professional Electrical Quotes Matter

Get the BS 7671 A4:2026 Cheat Sheet — free

Professional Electrical Quote Structure

Pricing Strategy for Electrical Work

Materials and Labour Breakdown

Contingency and Risk Allowance

Price the job in minutes, not evenings

Payment Terms and Payment Schedules

What to Include to Avoid Disputes

Follow-Up Strategy

Tools for Professional Electrical Quoting

Build Quotes on Your Phone

AI-Assisted Quoting

Quote faster and win more work with Elec-Mate

Frequently Asked Questions About Electrical Quote Writing

What should an electrical quote include?

Should I give a fixed price or an estimate?

How long should my electrical quote be valid for?

Do I need to show VAT on my electrical quote?

Can I charge for producing a quote?

What happens if the job takes longer than quoted?

What are the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 and do they apply to my quotes?

Continue reading

Tender Writing Guide

Contract Templates

Subcontracting Guide

Framework Contracts

Electrical Quoting App

What electricians say

One App for Everything!

Fantastic app for electricians

Absolutely amazing

Trusted by electricians across the UK

Send Professional Electrical Quotes from Your Phone