Required Fields on Every Electrical Quote
Your business name and NICEIC/NAPIT number
NICEIC or NAPIT registration builds immediate credibility. Include it on every quote.
Quote number (sequential)
Unique ID for each quote so you and the customer can reference it. Use a QT- prefix to distinguish from invoices.
Quote date and expiry date
Always include an expiry (typically 30 days). Protects you from material price increases.
Customer name and job address
Specify the address the work is at — different from billing address for landlords and property managers.
Detailed scope of work
Every room, circuit, fitting, or system covered. Vague scopes invite disputes. Be specific — 'install 8 new double sockets in ground floor rooms' not 'socket work'.
Labour price (separate from materials)
Essential for CIS subcontract work. Good practice for all jobs.
Materials (itemised or as an allowance)
Cable, fittings, consumer unit, testing equipment. Mark up materials 20–30% above trade cost.
What is NOT included
Specify exclusions — redecoration after chasing, structural work, scaffolding. This prevents scope creep disputes.
Payment terms
Deposit required (if any), when balance is due, acceptable payment methods.
Part P notification note (if applicable)
State that notifiable work will be registered with Building Control via your scheme membership.
Complete Example: Consumer Unit Replacement
QUOTATION
Smith Electrical Services
NICEIC: 12345 · UTR: 87654 32109
Quote ref: QT-0047
Date: 9 June 2026 · Valid until: 9 July 2026
For
Mr T Wilson
34 Elm Close, Leeds LS6 2AH
Scope of work
Replace existing consumer unit with 17th Edition dual-RCD unit (Wylex 18-way)
Test and inspect all circuits prior to connection
Issue Electrical Installation Certificate on completion
Register work with NICEIC for Part P Building Regulations compliance
Not included: redecoration, plaster repairs, asbestos testing if required
Deposit: 50% (£270) required to confirm booking · Balance due on completion
Quoting for Part P Notifiable Work
Part P of the Building Regulations requires most new electrical installation work in domestic properties to be either self-certified by a registered competent person (NICEIC, NAPIT, etc.) or notified to Building Control. As a registered electrician, you self-certify — meaning you include the registration fee in your quote and register the work on completion.
Always state on your quote that Part P registration is included in the price and that an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) or Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MEIWC) will be issued. Customers who ask "will this be certified?" are asking about Part P compliance — reassure them in writing on the quote.
Notifiable work includes: consumer unit replacements, new circuits, rewires, installation in special locations (bathrooms, kitchens, outdoors), and most work in new-builds. Minor repairs and like-for-like replacements (changing a socket faceplate) are not notifiable.
EV Charger Installation Quotes
EV charger quotes require additional detail compared to standard electrical work. Include:
- Charger specification: make, model, kW output, smart/non-smart
- Cable routing: from consumer unit to installation point, method (surface/buried)
- Consumer unit capacity check: note if an upgrade is needed and quote separately
- OZEV Chargepoint Grant: state whether included or whether customer must apply separately
- Smart meter requirement: note if the installation requires one
- EV Smart Charge Point Regulations 2021 compliance statement
EV charger installations qualify for Part P self-certification. Include the EIC in your quote price and register on completion.
Deposit and Payment Terms on Electrical Quotes
| Job type | Typical deposit | Balance due |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer unit replacement | 50% upfront | On completion |
| Full rewire | 50% + staged milestone payments | On completion and sign-off |
| EV charger installation | 50% upfront | On completion |
| Socket/lighting additions | No deposit — payment on completion | Same day |
| Commercial work / CIS | Staged per valuation agreement | Per contract terms |
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Start FreeFrequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an electrical quote and an estimate?
- A quote is a fixed price commitment — you agree to do the work for the stated amount and cannot charge more without written agreement from the customer. An estimate is an approximate figure that may increase if the scope changes. For most residential electrical work, quotes are standard. Estimates are appropriate for exploratory work where the full scope is not known until walls are opened or wiring traced. Always specify which you are providing — if customers see 'Estimate £1,200' and then receive an invoice for £1,600, they have grounds to dispute the excess.
Should an electrician quote including or excluding VAT?
- If you are VAT-registered, you must show VAT on your quotes — both the pre-VAT figure and the total including VAT. If you are not VAT-registered (turnover below £90,000), quote your prices without VAT and include a note if helpful. Never add VAT to an invoice if you are not registered — this is a criminal offence. Many sole trader electricians are not VAT-registered, in which case your quoted price is the price.
How long should an electrical quote be valid for?
- Electrical quotes should specify a validity period — typically 30 days for standard work, 14 days if materials prices are volatile. This protects you from being held to a quote if material costs increase significantly before the customer accepts. State the expiry date clearly: 'This quote is valid until 9 July 2026'. If a customer accepts after expiry, you can reissue at current prices.
What should an EV charger installation quote include?
- An EV charger quote should include: charger make and model with specifications, cable routing description (how you will run the cable from consumer unit to installation point), whether consumer unit work is needed, commissioning and testing, the EV Smart Charge Point Regulations 2021 compliance statement, NICEIC/NAPIT registration number, and whether an OLEV/government grant is included or must be applied for separately. Specify clearly whether the charger unit is included in the price or customer-supplied.