Electrician quote template for South Africa

Short answer: an electrician's quote should itemise supply and labour, show the Certificate of Compliance (CoC) as its own priced line, and state clearly what is excluded — wall chasing and making good, and any rewiring found necessary once the old board is opened. Below is a filled-in DB board example and a blank copy-paste version.

What a electrician quote needs to include

• Show the Certificate of Compliance as its own line. A CoC is required for certain electrical work, so clients should see whether it is included and what it costs. Confirm what applies to the job with a registered person or the relevant authority.
• Specify the board and protection. Rating of the main breaker, earth leakage protection and surge protection are the items clients compare between quotes.
• Count the points. Plugs, lights and isolators by number, with the cable and conduit included or not, so "extra points" do not become a surprise on the final invoice.
• Say who does the making good. Chasing walls and re-plastering is normally a separate trade. Write down who is responsible.
• Reserve the right to re-quote hidden faults. Old installations often hide faults. A single sentence about stopping to re-quote protects both sides.

A filled-in example

Example only — business name, quantities and prices are illustrative, not real.

Blank template — copy and fill in

This version includes the VAT lines. If you are not VAT registered, delete the VAT row and the VAT number line.

QUOTATION — ELECTRICAL

[Your Business Name]
[Address] · [Phone] · [Email]
[Registration details, as required for your work]
VAT No: [Your VAT number, if registered]

Quote #: [QTE-0001]    Date: [DD Month YYYY]    Valid until: [DD Month YYYY]

Prepared for: [Client name], [Site address]

SUPPLY
[Distribution board: rating, main breaker, ELCB, surge]   [1]     [R0.00]   [R0.00]
[Plug points / light points / isolators]                   [Qty]   [R0.00]   [R0.00]
[Cable, conduit, accessories]                              [Qty]   [R0.00]   [R0.00]

LABOUR
[Installation, testing and commissioning]                  [Hrs]   [R0.00]   [R0.00]

[Certificate of Compliance]                                [1]     [R0.00]   [R0.00]

                                          Subtotal:   [R0.00]
                                          VAT (15%):  [R0.00]
                                          Total:      [R0.00]

EXCLUDES: [chasing and making good, hidden faults, rewiring found necessary]
Valid for [14] days. Deposit: [50]% to secure the date.

Three mistakes that cost electricians money

• Folding the CoC into the labour rate. It hides a real cost and makes you look more expensive than a competitor who lists it separately.
• Quoting "per point" with no definition. State what a point includes: how much cable, what type of accessory, and which finish.
• Promising a date without a deposit. A diary slot is stock you cannot resell. A deposit line protects it.

For the general structure behind any quote, read the general free quote template (for any business). Not in this trade? There are also templates for plumbers, roofers, builders, painters. Once the job is done, use the matching invoice template, and if you are unsure whether to charge VAT at all, see when VAT registration applies.

Would you rather type the job and get the quote drafted for you? See Zuvo for electricians, or build one now with the free quote generator.

General business guidance and an illustrative template, not legal, technical or tax advice. Prices, quantities and business details in the example are made up. Check the registration, certificate and licensing rules that apply to your trade with the relevant professional body or your local municipality, and ask your own accountant about VAT.