Free template · Excel · Estimates by trade
Free electrical estimate template
An electrical estimate for renovations and upgrades: device counts, new circuits, panel work, the permit, and what's needed from the utility.
Electrical estimate template
Excel workbook (.xlsx) · 20 KB · 4 sheets
| Item | Description | Qty | Rate | Amount | Tax? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Devices | Receptacles, new (each) | 14 | 95.00 | 1,330.00 | Y |
| Devices | Switches, incl. 2 three-way (each) | 6 | 85.00 | 510.00 | Y |
| Lighting | LED pot lights, supplied and installed (each) | 16 | 110.00 | 1,760.00 | Y |
| Circuits | New 15 A and 20 A branch circuits (each) | 5 | 260.00 | 1,300.00 | Y |
| EV charger | 40 A circuit and customer-supplied Level 2 charger | 1 | 1,150.00 | 1,150.00 | Y |
| Smoke and CO | Interconnected smoke and CO alarms (each) | 2 | 120.00 | 240.00 | Y |
| Permit | Permit or notification fee, at cost | 1 | 165.00 | 165.00 | Y |
| Subtotal | 6,455.00 | ||||
| HST (Ontario) | 839.15 | 13% | |||
| ESTIMATE TOTAL | 7,294.15 | ||||
| Deposit required | 1,500.00 | ||||
| BALANCE ON COMPLETION | 5,794.15 |
Why an electrical estimate needs its own layout
Electrical estimates are built from counts: outlets, switches, lights, circuits. Getting the counts in writing is what makes the estimate work, because "wire the basement" means different things to the homeowner and to you. So does the permit, and whether you patch the drywall afterwards.
This template prices devices and circuits by count, panel work and the permit as their own lines, and has space for exclusions. The example is a basement renovation and EV charger in Ontario.
What to include on an electrical estimate, and why
- Counts for every device. The homeowner can check the plan. On the day, an extra outlet is clearly an extra.
- Panel capacity. Whether the existing panel can take the new load. If not, the upgrade is a separate line.
- Permit or notification. Most electrical work needs a permit or a notification to the authority. Show you include it.
- Patching and painting. The most common misunderstanding. Say whether you patch holes you cut.
- Utility work. Service upgrades need the utility. Say who arranges it and that their timing is outside your control.
How to price it
Per device
Most renovation work. A set price per outlet, switch or fixture, including wire and labour on a typical run.
Per circuit
New circuits priced by amperage and approximate run length.
Flat for defined jobs
Panel upgrades and EV chargers as a flat price with stated limits (run length, panel location).
Deposits and payment terms
- Deposit to schedule and order materials
- Progress payment at rough-in inspection on bigger jobs
- Balance on final inspection
- Extra devices priced per device as in the estimate
Put the deposit and payment schedule on the estimate itself, so the customer signs up to them and they carry straight onto the invoice. For how to record a deposit you take up front, see customer deposits and retainers.
Sales tax, GST/HST and PST on electrical work
United States
Electrical work in a building is often a real property improvement: in many states the contractor pays tax on materials and the customer's price isn't taxed. Other states tax the materials or the labour.
Check your state's rules and say on the estimate whether tax is included.
Canada
GST/HST applies once you're registered.
In Saskatchewan, PST applies to electrical work on a building on the total charge. In British Columbia, the contractor generally pays PST on materials.
Check a rate with the US sales tax calculator or the GST/HST calculator, then set it beside the tax lines in the template. Both tax lines can be renamed, so one estimate works for sales tax, HST, or GST plus PST or QST.
The example, filled in
The Estimate sheet opens filled in with the example in the preview: an Ontario electrician quoting a basement renovation and EV charger, estimate EE-0907 for an example customer. The lines come to a subtotal of $6,455.00 and a total of $7,294.15, with a deposit required of $1,500.00 and a balance on completion of $5,794.15. The price holds for 30 days. The figures are made up to show the layout; they are not market rates.
In Ontario, a registered electrical contractor charges 13% HST on devices, labour and the permit pass-through.
The notes box reads: “Based on the Oct 9 walkthrough. Existing 200 A panel has space for the new circuits. Excludes drywall patching and painting. Price holds 30 days.”
Lines on the price list sheet
The Price list sheet starts with the lines electrical businesses usually charge for. Add your rates once and copy them onto each estimate.
| Line | Unit | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Receptacle or switch | each | New or replacement. |
| Light fixture or pot light | each | Supplied or customer's. |
| Branch circuit | each | By amperage and run length. |
| Panel upgrade | flat | With utility coordination. |
| Sub-panel | flat | Garage, basement. |
| EV charger circuit | flat | Up to a stated run length. |
| Smoke and CO alarms | each | Hardwired, interconnected. |
| Permit and inspection | at cost | |
| Patching | flat or excluded | Say which. |
What's in the file
| Sheet | What it holds |
|---|---|
| Estimate | The printable electrical estimate, filled in with the example on this page: your details, the customer, job site, 15 lines, two tax lines, deposit required, scope and terms, and signature lines. |
| Price list | The lines electrical businesses usually charge for, with the unit for each. Enter your own rates once and copy them onto each estimate. |
| Estimate log | One row per estimate: status (Pending, Accepted, Declined, Expired), the invoice number once billed, a follow-up date and your win rate. |
| Instructions | How to fill it in, plus the notes on this page about what to include. |
Pale yellow cells are for your entries; white cells calculate. Nothing is locked, so you can rename lines or change the layout. The Instructions sheet repeats the steps and the notes on this page.
Download the electrical estimate template (.xlsx)
Or send it from AcboBooks
Need one estimate today? The free invoice generator makes a PDF in your browser. Sending them every week? AcboBooks keeps your electrical price list, turns an accepted estimate into the invoice (see estimate software), tracks what each customer owes and adds up the tax you collected. It's Windows desktop software, bought once; try it free for 15 days.
Sources
Checked October 25, 2026. Tax rules change and differ by state and province; confirm with the tax agency or your accountant.
- Canada Revenue Agency: input tax credits (information an invoice needs)
- CRA RC4022, General Information for GST/HST Registrants
- CRA: GST/HST rates by province
- IRS Publication 583, Starting a Business and Keeping Records
- Federation of Tax Administrators: links to every state tax agency
- Government of Saskatchewan: provincial sales tax
- Government of British Columbia: provincial sales tax (PST)
Questions
How do I estimate electrical work by device?
Count each outlet, switch and fixture from the plan or walkthrough, and price each at a rate that includes wire and labour for a typical run. Add circuits and panel work separately.
Should I include patching?
Decide, and say so. Many electricians exclude drywall patching and painting; others include basic patching.
What if the panel can't take the load?
Quote the panel upgrade as a separate line or option, with the reason. Don't hide it in the device prices.
When should I take payments?
A deposit, then a progress payment at rough-in inspection on bigger jobs, and the balance at final inspection.
Related
- Electrician invoice template
- Progress invoicing (glossary)
- Customer deposits and retainers
- Job costing software
- Accounting software for electricians
- General estimate and quote template
- All invoice and estimate templates by trade
General information, not tax, legal or accounting advice. Check with your accountant or the tax agency before relying on a template for tax.
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