Electrician Quote Template: What to Include and How to Price

A good electrical quote wins the job and protects you when scope creep happens. Here's exactly what to include and how to price it for the Australian market.

What every electrical quote must include

• Your electrical contractor licence number — mandatory in all states. In NSW it goes on every quote and invoice; other states have similar requirements.
• ABN and business name — required if you're GST-registered
• Contact details — phone, email, address
• Quote number and date issued
• Expiry date — typically 14–30 days; cable and board pricing moves
• Client name and site address
• Itemised line items — each circuit, fitting, board work as a separate line
• GST shown separately
• Payment terms — deposit on acceptance, balance on completion or certificate issue

How to price electrical work in Australia

Electrical pricing has two components: labour and materials. Most licensed electricians price labour at an hourly rate and materials at cost plus a markup.

Labour rates (2025 Australian market)

Typical licensed electrician rates:

• Sydney / Melbourne: $110–$130/hr
• Brisbane / Perth: $95–$115/hr
• Adelaide / Hobart: $90–$110/hr
• After-hours / emergency: add 50–100%

Apprentices bill at a lower rate — typically $45–$65/hr — which affects how you quote mixed-crew jobs.

Material markup

Buy at trade price, charge at cost plus 20–30%. This covers your sourcing time, carrying risk on price movements between quote and purchase, and wastage on cables and conduit. Never quote materials at your trade cost — sourcing and managing materials is part of the service you're providing.

Common electrical quote line items

Structure your quotes by task, not by hour. Clients read itemised quotes better when they can connect each line to something they understand:

• Supply and install [fitting/circuit/outlet] — each as a separate line
• Switchboard upgrade / addition — materials + labour grouped
• Cable runs — per metre or per circuit depending on complexity
• Testing and certification — include Certificate of Compliance where required
• Permit fees (if applicable) — pass through at cost

Exclusions to include on every electrical quote

• "Does not include making good (painting, plastering) after work"
• "Assumes wiring meets current standards — additional work may be required if non-compliant wiring is discovered"
• "Does not include ceiling space access (stairs, MEWP hire) unless specified"
• "Price assumes standard wall cavity — additional may apply if solid brick or concrete walls"

Compliance note

In most Australian states, electrical work requires a Certificate of Compliance after completion (NSW: CCEW, VIC: Certificate of Electrical Safety, QLD: Compliance Certificate). Include the certificate in your quote scope — clients often don't know to ask, and it differentiates you from a less thorough competitor.

Related guides

• How to Write a Trade Quote in Australia
• How to Price a Job as a Tradie

Ready to quote electrical jobs faster? See how Insta Quotes works for electricians.