How to Price a Job as an Electrician: A Practical Guide

Know your costs before you quote

The number one pricing mistake electricians make is guessing. "That looks like a two-day job, so about $2,000" is not a quote — it's a gamble. Professional pricing starts with understanding your actual costs.

Calculate your true hourly rate

Your hourly rate needs to cover more than your wages. Here's what to include:

Direct costs:

• Your wage or salary (including super at 11.5%)
• Workers compensation insurance
• Apprentice wages (if applicable)

Overhead costs:

• Vehicle costs (fuel, registration, insurance, maintenance)
• Tool wear and replacement
• Public liability and professional indemnity insurance
• Phone, software, and admin costs
• Licence renewal fees
• Training and CPD costs

Profit margin:

• The markup that makes the business sustainable (typically 15-25%)

Add up your annual overhead costs, divide by your annual billable hours (typically 1,600-1,800 hours after leave, training, and admin), and add your target profit margin. Most established electricians in Australian metro areas land between $85-$120/hour.

Material pricing

For materials, you should be working from your supplier price book — not guessing from memory. Prices change, and a 10% increase on cable across a large job can eat your entire margin.

Standard markups on materials:

• Cable and conduit: 15-25% markup
• Switchgear and RCDs: 20-30% markup
• Light fittings and fixtures: 25-40% markup (client-selected items may be lower)
• Consumables (tape, clips, screws): include in your hourly rate or quote as a line item

The markup covers your time sourcing, ordering, picking up, and managing materials — not just the wholesale price.

Quoting methods

Time and materials

You estimate the hours and materials, then quote the total. This works well for straightforward jobs where you can predict the scope accurately.

Pros: Simple to calculate, easy to adjust for variations. Cons: Client has less price certainty, harder to compare against competitors.

Fixed price

You commit to a total price for the defined scope. The client knows exactly what they'll pay, and you carry the risk of overruns.

Pros: Clients prefer price certainty, easier to win work. Cons: You absorb cost overruns, need accurate estimating.

Cost plus

You charge actual costs plus an agreed percentage. Common for larger or uncertain-scope projects.

Pros: Fair for both parties, suits complex work. Cons: Client may question costs, requires detailed record-keeping.

For most residential and light commercial electrical work, fixed price quoting is the standard. Clients expect to know what they're paying before you start.

Pricing common electrical jobs

Here are typical price ranges for common electrical work in Australian metro areas (2025-2026). These are guides only — your area, supplier costs, and business overheads will affect your specific pricing.

Switchboard upgrade (single phase): $2,500-$5,500 depending on number of circuits, RCD requirements, and existing condition.

Power point installation: $180-$350 per point, depending on cable run length and whether it's new or replacement.

LED downlight installation: $80-$150 per light for supply and install (replacing existing fittings). More for new installations requiring cable runs.

EV charger installation: $1,500-$4,000 depending on charger type, distance from switchboard, and whether a dedicated circuit is needed.

Full house rewire: $10,000-$25,000+ depending on house size, number of circuits, and accessibility.

Building the quote

A professional electrical quote should include:

1. Scope description — exactly what's included and excluded
2. Itemised line items — materials, labour, and any other costs broken down
3. GST — shown separately at 10%
4. Payment terms — when payment is due
5. Validity period — how long the quote is valid (typically 30 days)
6. Warranty information — what's covered and for how long
7. Licence number — your electrical licence for compliance

33 Trade lets you build itemised quotes with sections, automatic GST, and branded PDF output. You can save items to your catalogue so you're not re-entering prices for common materials every time.