A vague quote is the fastest way to lose a job to a competitor — or win it and then argue about money halfway through. This is a practical template for electricians, built around what customers and other trades actually expect to see, with a full worked example below.
What a professional electrical quote must include
Whether you're typing it in Word, a spreadsheet, or a tool like QuoteMate, a quote that holds up needs these elements:
- Scope of work. A plain-English description of exactly what you're doing — "replace 10-way consumer unit and test installation," not just "electrical work." Vague scope is the number one cause of disputes.
- Materials vs labour, split out. Don't bury everything in one lump sum. Separate lines for labour hours and materials let the client see where the money goes, and protect you if they query the total — you can point to the line, not just defend a number.
- Certification. Any notifiable work (like a consumer unit change) needs Building Regulations Part P notification through a competent person scheme, and the job should be tested and certified to BS 7671 (currently the 18th Edition, Amendment 2) with an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) or Minor Works Certificate as appropriate. State on the quote whether this is included and who's issuing it — it reassures the client you're doing things properly, and it's a legitimate cost you shouldn't quietly absorb.
- Exclusions. Say what's NOT included — making good plaster or paintwork after chasing walls, disposal of asbestos-containing materials if discovered, or any rewiring found necessary once the old board is off. This single section prevents more arguments than anything else on the page.
- Validity date and payment terms. A quote without an expiry date is a quote you're stuck honouring at old material prices six months later. State how long it's valid (30 days is standard), your deposit requirement, and when the balance is due.
Skip the spreadsheet wrangling — build a quote like the one below in about two minutes.
Create your quote free →Worked example: consumer unit replacement
Here's a realistic quote for a straightforward domestic consumer unit swap, priced at typical UK trade rates. Adjust for your region and current material costs.
| Description | Qty | Unit price | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remove and dispose of old consumer unit | 1 | £60.00 | £60.00 |
| Supply and install 10-way consumer unit (dual RCD) | 1 | £165.00 | £165.00 |
| Rewire and reconnect existing circuits to new board (4 hrs) | 4 | £45.00 | £180.00 |
| Additional cable and consumables | 1 | £40.00 | £40.00 |
| Test and certify installation, issue EIC | 1 | £120.00 | £120.00 |
Exclusions noted on this quote: making good to plaster around the board, any additional circuits found to be non-compliant once opened up, and Part P notification fee (charged at cost if not covered by scheme membership). Valid for 30 days from date of issue.
Common quoting mistakes that lose jobs
- One lump-sum figure. "£650 all in" looks like you've plucked a number from the air. Splitting labour and materials signals you've actually thought about the job.
- No mention of certification. Skip it and either you eat the cost of testing and paperwork, or you spring an extra charge on the client later — both hurt you.
- Underquoting testing and sign-off time. Dead-testing, insulation resistance checks and paperwork on a board change routinely take an hour or more. Quote it explicitly so it isn't the bit you do for free.
- No validity date. Copper and consumer unit prices move. A quote left open-ended is a quote you can be held to at last quarter's prices.
- Not stating who covers Part P. If you're on a competent person scheme, say so — it's a selling point. If you're not, the client needs to know Building Control involvement adds cost and time.
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need to mention Part P on my electrical quote?
Yes, if the work is notifiable — a consumer unit replacement is a classic example. Note on the quote whether you're registered with a competent person scheme (so you self-certify) or whether the client will need to pay a Building Control notification fee separately. Leaving it off either surprises the client with an extra cost later, or makes it look like you haven't accounted for compliance at all.
What's the difference between an EIC and a Minor Works Certificate on a quote?
An Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) is for new circuits or a full or partial rewire — like a consumer unit change — and confirms the whole installation has been tested to BS 7671. A Minor Works Certificate covers smaller additions or alterations to an existing circuit, such as adding a socket, that don't involve a new circuit. State which one applies on your quote so the client understands the paperwork they'll receive and why testing time is priced in.
Should VAT be included in an electrician's quote?
Only add VAT if you're VAT-registered, which is compulsory once your taxable turnover crosses the current threshold and optional below it. If registered, show it as a clearly separate line on top of your prices rather than folding it into the total — clients querying the number need to see it plainly. If you're not registered, leave VAT off entirely; charging it without being registered is a genuine compliance problem.