What an electrical quote should spell out before you agree

Many homeowners accept an electrical quote without asking what it actually covers—then discover mid-job that the electrician's understanding of scope doesn't match theirs. A quote should be a contract in words, not a surprise waiting to happen.

A vague quote is how you end up paying extra for work you thought was included, or worse, hiring someone who doesn't know what they're really supposed to do. Before you say yes to any electrical work, the quote needs to spell out exactly what the electrician will do, what they won't, and what you need to provide or arrange.

What the quote must describe in detail

A proper electrical quote should describe the actual work in plain terms—not "electrical installation" but "install new 13A socket outlets in kitchen, kitchen breakfast bar, and main bedroom" or "rewire lounge circuit, test and certify." The electrician should list each location, the type and number of outlets or switches, whether any walls will be chased or cables surface-mounted, and which rooms or circuits are involved.

If the quote mentions a COC (Certificate of Compliance), it must state clearly what work the COC will cover. A COC applies to specific circuits or an entire installation. If you're having work done piecemeal over time, confirm whether each job gets its own COC or if they'll be bundled later. Ask whether the quote assumes new cable throughout or reusing existing cable—reusing can sometimes be done but must meet current standards, and a competent electrician will explain the difference and the risk implications.

The gaps that cost extra

Quotes often omit costs for finding faults, accessing cables, making good (patching walls), or dealing with unexpected discoveries. A good quote will flag these as potential extras and explain the hourly rate if they arise. It should also clarify who pays for materials—most quotes include them, but some electricians price labour only and expect you to buy cable, outlets and switches separately. That's fine if stated upfront; it's a trap if hidden.

Check whether the quote includes testing and certification, or if those are added on. Testing (using a multimeter and insulation tester) and issuing a COC are not free afterthoughts—they're part of compliant work and should be priced in the quote itself.

Timeline and site conditions

The quote should say how long the work will take and whether that's one visit or multiple. It should name what you need to arrange: access to the electrical board, turning off power to circuits, clearing the area of furniture or clutter, or having a second person present for safety.

Ask whether the electrician will make good (fill and sand chased walls, repaint) or if you're arranging that separately. Some electricians include it; others don't. Electricity takes no notice of your moving day or your tenants' occupation, so confirm whether the work can happen while people are home and whether power will be off to the whole house or just parts of it.

How to get a usable quote

When you contact an electrician, give them as much detail as you can: photos of the area, a list of what you want done, whether you have an old quote or COC they should see, and any constraints (access issues, power outage contingencies, heritage restrictions). The more detail they have, the less guesswork in the quote and the fewer surprises later.

Once you have a quote, read it aloud to the electrician over WhatsApp or a call and ask them to confirm each line makes sense. If they say "yeah, that's roughly right" or "we'll see when we get there," that's a red flag—you need someone who stands by the detail.

A quote is your protection and theirs. It prevents arguments about what was promised and ensures both of you are solving the same problem. Spending five minutes clarifying now saves frustration and money later. When you're ready to book, Strove's verified electricians provide detailed quotes you can review before confirming the work.