Free Electrical Estimate Template
A complete, line-item electrical estimate you can preview below — service panel upgrade, branch circuits, devices, GFCI/AFCI protection, fixtures, licensed labor and permit — plus a plain-language NEC checklist covering the receptacle spacing, protection and box-fill rules inspectors actually check.
| Line item | Qty | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 200A service panel upgrade (panel, breakers, mast) | 1 | $1,850.00 |
| Branch circuit wiring — 12/2 & 14/2 NM-B | 14 runs | $1,120.00 |
| Receptacles, switches & plates | 38 devices | $684.00 |
| GFCI / AFCI breakers | 6 | $390.00 |
| Recessed LED fixtures & trim | 12 | $540.00 |
| Labor — licensed electrician + helper | 36 hrs | $3,060.00 |
| Permit & inspection | 1 | $295.00 |
| Total | $7,939.00 | |
Payment schedule
How to measure and price electrical work
- Count devices (receptacles, switches, fixtures) and circuits — most residential electrical is priced per device plus per home run.
- Price the service or panel work as its own package, including breakers, mast, meter can and grounding.
- Add licensed electrician hours separately from helper hours; inspectors and permits always get their own line.
Electrical building-code guide
Electrical rough-in inspections come down to circuit protection, receptacle spacing, box fill, grounding and support. These are the rules that most often fail an inspection.
- No point along a wall may be more than 6 ft from a receptacle (12 ft maximum spacing); any wall section 2 ft or wider needs one
- Kitchen counters: receptacles max 4 ft apart, plus at least two 20A small-appliance circuits
- Dedicated circuits required for laundry (20A), bathroom (20A), dishwasher, disposal and microwave
- GFCI required in bathrooms, kitchens, garages, basements, laundry, outdoors and within 6 ft of any sink
- AFCI required for most 120V 15A/20A circuits in habitable rooms — bedrooms, living rooms, hallways, kitchens and laundry
- Dual-function AFCI/GFCI breakers are the usual solution for kitchen and laundry circuits
- Box fill must be calculated — count conductors, devices, clamps and grounds; overfilled boxes are a common red tag
- NM cable must be secured within 12in of a box (8in for single-gang plastic) and every 4.5 ft after
- Cables through studs must be 1-1/4in back from the face or protected with a steel nail plate
- Grounding electrode system: two ground rods (or rod + Ufer/concrete-encased electrode) with #6 copper minimum
- Neutrals and grounds are separated in every sub-panel; bonded only at the service disconnect
- Panel working space: 30in wide, 36in deep, 6.5 ft high clearance and it must never be in a clothes closet or bathroom
Code quick reference — Electrical
| Item | Requirement | Code reference |
|---|---|---|
| Receptacle spacing | No point along a wall more than 6 ft from a receptacle | NEC 210.52(A) |
| Kitchen counters | Two 20A circuits; receptacle within 24in of any point | NEC 210.52(C) |
| GFCI | Kitchens, baths, garages, outdoors, laundry, within 6 ft of sinks | NEC 210.8 |
| AFCI | Most 120V branch circuits in dwelling living areas | NEC 210.12 |
| Conductor size | 14 AWG = 15A, 12 AWG = 20A, 10 AWG = 30A (copper) | NEC 240.4(D) |
| Cable protection | 1-1/4in from framing edge or steel nail plate | NEC 300.4 |
| Box fill | Volume computed from conductor and device count | NEC 314.16 |
Drawings & details
Simplified section and plan views of the details inspectors look at most. Illustrative only — not to scale.
Adjust the values — the drawing below updates in real time.
- 1 · Member thickness — No point along wall > 6 ft from a receptacle(1.50")
- 2 · On-center spacing — 12 ft max(12.00" OC)
- 3 · Member length — Plate to plate(8' 0")
- 4 · Overall run — Total covered by this layout(6' 1 8/16")
- On-center spacing: 12.00" · 7 members
- Overall run: 6' 1 8/16" · Member length: 8' 0"
- No point along wall > 6 ft from a receptacle
Adjust the values — the drawing below updates in real time.
- 1 · Breaker (AFCI/GFCI as required) — 15A = 14 AWG · 20A = 12 AWG(0.50")
- 2 · Cable through framing — 1-1/4in from edge or nail plate(0.25")
- 3 · Box fill & ground — count conductors per 314.16(0.50")
- 4 · Device + cover — tamper-resistant in dwellings(0.50")
- Breaker (AFCI/GFCI as required): 0.50"
- Cable through framing: 0.25"
- Box fill & ground: 0.50"
- Device + cover: 0.50"
- Total assembly: 1.75" (1 12/16")
Inspection-day checklistShow
- Rough-in: boxes set to drywall depth, cables stapled within 8in of boxes.
- Grounds and neutrals separated in sub-panels.
- Panel schedule filled out legibly with circuit descriptions.
- Tamper-resistant receptacles in dwelling areas; weather-resistant + covers outdoors.
- Arc-fault/GFCI devices tested and torque values set per label.
Code references are based on the 2021 IRC and related model codes. Local amendments, state codes and manufacturer instructions can be stricter — always confirm with your local building department before starting work.
Common electrical estimating mistakes
- Not counting AFCI/GFCI breakers, which cost several times a standard breaker.
- Forgetting drywall patching and paint after old-work wiring.
- Skipping the temporary power or utility disconnect coordination on service upgrades.
Export a branded, client-ready PDF or send a sign-from-phone link.
Your client reviews and signs the estimate from any device.
NEC guidance for receptacle spacing, GFCI/AFCI protection, box fill, grounding and panel clearances.
Electrical estimate FAQ
What should an electrical estimate include?
An electrical estimate should list the service or panel work, each branch circuit home run, device and fixture counts, GFCI/AFCI protection, licensed electrician labor hours, the permit and inspection, and any drywall patching required after old-work wiring.
How do you price electrical work?
Residential electrical is usually priced per device and per circuit: a rate per receptacle, switch or fixture, plus a rate per home run, plus separate packages for the panel, service and specialty circuits such as EV chargers.
What electrical codes apply to residential work?
The National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) governs, adopted with local amendments: Article 210 for branch circuits and receptacle spacing, 210.8/210.12 for GFCI and AFCI, Article 250 for grounding and bonding, and Article 314 for box fill.
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