How to Price Electrical Work
Pricing is the single most important skill in any trade business. Price too low and you work hard for no profit. Price too high and you lose jobs. Getting it right requires understanding your costs, your time, and your value.
For electricians, pricing typically falls into three categories: fixed price for defined jobs, day rate for larger projects, and call-out charge for emergency work. Most electricians use a mix of all three.
Fixed price jobs — like fitting a new consumer unit or installing an EV charger — should account for materials, labour, and a contingency for unexpected issues. A good rule of thumb is to add 20% to your material costs to cover wastage and trips to the wholesaler.
Day rates for larger projects should reflect your overheads. Don't forget to include van costs, insurance, training, tools, and admin time. Many electricians forget to account for the time spent quoting, buying materials, and doing paperwork.
Call-out charges should be high enough to make emergency work worth your time. A typical UK call-out charge ranges from £60 to £120 depending on your area. Always be clear about what the call-out covers and what constitutes a separate charge.
The best tool for getting pricing right is a proper quoting system. JobStacker lets you create itemised quotes with labour, materials, and markups — so you never forget to include a cost again.
Ready to simplify your business?
Join tradespeople who use JobStacker to manage customers, quotes, jobs, and invoicing — all from one platform.