FieldCamp’s free electrical estimate template powers up your bidding process. Stop juggling spreadsheets and pricing guides; list electrical systems, materials, labor costs, and project details in one clean format.
Add client information, break down costs by circuit or room, include your business details, and set a clear project scope. Built for electricians who want accurate estimates that win more jobs and prevent budget overruns.
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Issued: 2025-08-19
Due: 2025-08-19
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FieldCamp’s electrical estimate template streamlines bidding for electrical contractors tired of losing jobs to pricing confusion. Whether you’re a master electrician handling complex commercial projects or a residential specialist focused on service calls, this template helps you present detailed estimates that clients understand and approve faster.
Perfect for solo electricians building their reputation and growing electrical companies, standardizing their bidding process. Turn pricing chaos into professional proposals that showcase your expertise.
Getting started takes less than 5 minutes:
Customize with your logo, adjust markup percentages, or add payment terms to match your business policies.
The standard rule for electrical estimating is the 60/40 split: materials typically account for 40% of the total project cost, while labor makes up 60%. Add a 10-20% profit margin on top. For residential electrical work, calculate $80-120 per square foot for new construction. Always factor in overhead costs, permits, and a contingency buffer of 10% for unexpected issues.
Start by measuring the square footage or counting electrical points (outlets, switches, fixtures). Calculate material costs including wire, conduit, panels, and devices. Add labor hours at your hourly rate, including burden costs. Factor in overhead (typically 13-20%), permits, inspection fees, and your profit margin. Use this formula: Materials + Labor + Overhead + Profit = Total Estimate.
Break down costs into categories: materials (wholesale price plus 20-35% markup), labor (hourly rate × estimated hours × 1.5 for burden), permits and inspections (varies by location), and equipment rental if needed. For existing homes, add 15-25% to new construction rates to account for fishing wires and working around finished surfaces. Include travel time and material delivery fees.
List materials by system: rough-in materials (wire, boxes, conduit), trim materials (devices, plates, fixtures), and panel components (breakers, main panel, sub-panels). For labor, separate by phase: rough-in (40% of labor), trim-out (35%), and final connections/testing (25%). Include specific quantities, wire gauge, and amp ratings. Group small items like wire nuts into a “miscellaneous materials” line at 5-8% of material cost.
Include detailed scope of work, specific material brands/models, amp service size, number of circuits, outlet/switch counts by room, fixture schedules, and any special requirements (GFCI, AFCI, dedicated circuits). Add load calculations for larger projects, permit costs, inspection fees, warranty terms, and project timeline. Specify what’s excluded (like patching/painting) to avoid scope creep.
For complex projects, add sections for systems integration, low-voltage wiring, automation/smart home components, and emergency power systems. Create separate categories for different areas or phases. Include allowances for owner-selected fixtures, contingencies for hidden conditions, and detailed panel schedules. Add technical drawings references and specify testing/commissioning procedures. Build in escalation clauses for projects over 60 days.
Excel (.xlsx) offers the best functionality with auto-calculations and formulas. PDF provides a professional, uneditable format perfect for client presentations. Google Sheets enables real-time collaboration and cloud access. Word (.docx) works well for text-heavy proposals. For field use, ensure your template is mobile-responsive. Save templates in multiple formats to accommodate different client preferences.
Digital estimating tools like FieldCamp automate calculations, store material price lists, and track labor rates. Use features like template libraries for common jobs, real-time pricing updates, and integration with supplier catalogs. Set up assembly costs for repeated installations (like a bedroom circuit including 4 outlets, 1 switch, and wiring). Enable digital signatures, automatic follow-ups, and instant conversion to invoices. Cloud-based tools let you create estimates on-site and access pricing history for accurate bidding.