What Should an Electrical Estimate Include?

Describe the work before the price

Start with the actual work being proposed: the equipment or fixtures involved, the labor being performed, and the conditions the price assumes. A clear scope is more useful than a total price with no explanation of what the customer is buying.

• •Work and equipment included in the job
• •Labor and material line items at a useful level of detail
• •Permit or inspection charges when they apply
• •Important exclusions, assumptions, and customer-supplied items

Make approval and payment terms visible

If the estimate requires a deposit, has an expiration date, or depends on another payment milestone, put that information in the document before approval. The payment terms should not appear for the first time after the customer has accepted the scope.

Keep later changes separate from the approved scope

When the work changes after approval, preserve the original estimate and document the additional scope separately. ProQuote keeps the approved estimate record and, on Pro, supports formal post-approval change orders instead of silently rewriting the original agreement.