FieldLogHow to price an electrical job
Electrical pricing rewards precision: small jobs fit per-point prices, big jobs need careful material takeoffs, and every job has to account for permits and code. Here's how to build an estimate that covers the work and your overhead. One note up front: electrical work requires a licensed electrician in most jurisdictions — this guide assumes you are one or work with one.
Pricing models
- Service call: a trip charge ($50–100 in many markets) plus an hourly rate ($75–150) with a one-hour minimum. Best for troubleshooting and small repairs where the scope is unknown until you open the box.
- Per point: a flat installed price for each device — receptacle, switch, or fixture. A new receptacle on an existing circuit commonly lands between $75 and $150 installed; a new circuit or panel work runs far more because of the cable run and breaker.
- Fixed bid: for defined scopes like a kitchen rough-in or a panel replacement, where you can count every point and every foot of wire before you quote.
Rates vary widely by region — the per-point numbers above are common ranges, not quotes. Back into your own numbers from your labor rate and your speed.
Materials and markup
Count the materials by the job: cable by the foot (with slack), boxes, devices, breakers, staples, and connectors. Mark them up 20–50% to cover sourcing trips, warranty exposure, and the leftovers that go back on the truck. Fixtures the client chooses (fans, pendants) are usually passed through at cost plus markup, with installation as its own line item.
Permits and inspections
New circuits, panel work, and most new construction require a permit in most jurisdictions, and the inspection has to be scheduled — which means your estimate should include the permit fee and the time for the inspection visit. Never bury permit costs in "miscellaneous"; a line item the client can see is a line item the client accepts.
A worked example — two receptacles and a pendant light
- Points: 2 receptacles + 1 fixture = 3 × $125 = $375
- Materials (cable, boxes, devices): $85 × 1.3 markup = $110
- Permit (if the circuit is new): $75
- Estimate total: $560 plus tax on taxable items
Where estimates go wrong
- Underestimating the run. A receptacle "right next to the panel" is still fishing wire through walls. Measure, don't guess.
- Forgetting the inspection. The inspection isn't done when the wiring is — it's a return visit, and it's billable.
- Pricing old work like new work. Existing walls add cutting, patching, and repair time that new construction doesn't have.
Building the estimate
FieldLog is an Android app for building estimates offline — no account or internet connection required. Each device and cable run becomes a line item with its own quantity and price, materials get their markup item by item, and you can mark labor and materials as taxable or non-taxable with an estimate tax rate. Generate a branded PDF with your company details to share with the client. The free plan includes 3 estimates per month.
Related guides
FieldLog helps you create professional estimates on your Android device — no internet required.
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