If you’re looking to attract more customers to your electrical business, you want to make sure you streamline the entire process from start to finish. While there are plenty of factors to consider, one that you definitely shouldn’t overlook is your electrical quotation template.
Why does this template matter? An electrician estimate template is bound to make running your business so much easier, as it not only gives you a more professional flair but also makes bidding on jobs almost effortless.
Considering how time is money in the trades, having a reliable template with all the details ready to go means you can focus on attracting more business. So, how do you go about creating the perfect electrical estimate and what information should you include?
Below is a guide to help you generate the best electrical quotation template for your budding business. We’ve also created our own template that’s free to download so you can get started on reaching more customers.
If you’re looking to go one step further, don’t forget you can use electrical estimating software to transform your business into a sales powerhouse.
Why Is an Electrician Estimate Template Necessary?
An electrician estimate provides your valued customers with everything they need to know about your work. For example, these electrical quotations provide a precise list of the services you offer and how much they cost.
While you might think you can get away with simply explaining the details to a customer, these templates are hugely important to every electrician’s services. Why? It provides proof, in black and white, of the terms of agreement for your contracts.
The estimate thoroughly describes the work you will do and the responsibilities of each party; namely, yourself and the customer. Plus, the template clearly states the price for your services, ensuring there’s no confusion before you get to work.
Imagine you made a deal with a friend to do some work. At the start, you said, “I will do the entire electrical wiring for your bathroom for $700.” You both agreed, but you had no electrical work quotation that specifically addressed your costs.
Then, after you’ve done the job, your friend says, “Hmm… I think I’ll give you $400 for this job. After all, it’s a very small bathroom.”
This simple example highlights why it’s always a good idea to have an electrical estimate at the ready. You might think this won’t happen to you, but it’s a tale as old as time when it comes to the trades and working without explicit estimates.
In fact, your estimates can protect you in court for any legal matters that may occur. It also prevents misunderstandings between you and your clients to ensure the job goes smoothly.
For example, if a customer doesn’t like the work you’ve done, you can both check the estimate template to see what you agreed on. Then, you can compare the finished work with the agreed milestones and adjust if needed.
Even if you know the customer personally, electrical estimates are still hugely beneficial. Laying the terms out eliminates complex problems and reduces the likelihood of a costly and time-consuming legal battle.
What Information Should You Include in Your Electrical Estimate
When making your electrician estimate template, be sure to include spaces for all the following pieces of information. This way, you ensure you clearly explain your prices, get paid fairly for your labor, and protect yourself from a legal mishap.
- Your business name. Once you decide to sign a contract with a customer, your name must be on it. No exceptions. It must clearly state that you are responsible for completing the job. This should include not only your business name but also the name of the person who completed the estimate alongside any required licensing information.
- The name of the client. Be sure to leave a space in your template for the client’s name. This states who you are working with in no uncertain terms. A contract must be between at least two parties – you and the client – so don’t forget to double-check this information gets included.
- The date. Leave a space for the date of the estimate. Adding this minor detail alongside the work you propose to complete will remind you and the potential customer about the conditions agreed before the work started. You can also leave a space for the projected conclusion of the project.
- A list of services. On the template, leave enough room to explain the specific services included for the job. Word these clearly with a concise description of each service. This lets your clients know exactly what to expect and prevents any surprises at the end of the project.
- Service period. Ensure you have a space for your expected time frames. State the estimated time to complete each service clearly. This tells your clients how long they will need to wait for the completed work.
- Service charges. List the price for each service beside where it’s listed. Provide the cost for each type of service you offer. This is essential, as it lets clients know what to expect before accepting you as their electrical contractor. It also allows them to compare your rates with other electricians.
- Total fee. There should be a section on your template for the overall project fee. State the final cost of the project along with any taxes and extra charges that may be added.
Other Useful Information to Include in Your Electrical Quotes
Aside from the basics above, there are a few other things to consider for your template. With these tips making your template even more comprehensive, the quality of your estimate will benefit your business instantly.
- Project brief/description. Take the time to explain the project description in your template. As this provides a quick summary of the overall job you are proposing, this addition helps to prevent any unnecessary disagreements in the future.
- A list of parts/products. Add a section in your template for a list of the parts that you will use for a particular job. As customers appreciate the extra information on what they are paying for, accounting for the cost of your materials is a smart idea.
- Quantity of parts. Following the above point, leave a section beside each part for stating the quantity of each part needed. As this information helps customers understand each line of their estimate, the reason for your prices becomes clearer.
- Price of parts. Besides the list of parts, leave some space for the unit price and total price for each part. With electricians having to invest substantial amounts when purchasing materials, this transparency showcases that you have nothing to hide about your services.
Creating an Electrician Invoice Template
Making your own template is a relatively simple task. But as you might expect, the more details you add, the more complex it gets for everyone else to read and understand.
For simplicity, you can make your template in easy-to-use software, such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Google Docs, or Google Sheets. Use something you are already familiar with if possible.
First, insert everything that will be a part of each project, no matter what. Typically, this includes your personal name or company name.
Be sure to leave space for start and end dates. Next, leave a space for your client’s contact information, as this is imperative for every electrical estimate.
After that, decide how you want to format the other information (services, charges, etc.). Once you have decided on the format, create the layout on the page.
It’s usually best to present the data in a tabular form so that your potential client can read it easily. After making your template, double-check to ensure all the essential data is present.
For an easier method to create your template, you might consider using our user-friendly electrical estimating software.
Wrapping Up Electrical Business Quotations
There you have it: our guide to creating your professional, comprehensive electrician estimate template. The estimate template makes it super easy for you to approach clients while enhancing the image of your operation.
To quickly recap, make sure every template includes basic information like your name, the date, and the cost of the estimate. Then, make sure your electrical estimate has a clear, attractive design that everyone can follow.
If you’re ready to get started, simply choose your preferred software, create your tables, and then insert your information. Alongside some top-notch formatting, you’re ready to reach out to more clients and enhance the quality of your service.
Level Up Your Operation with FieldPulse
Now that you’ve read all about the importance of electrical estimates, ensure the rest of your business is operating at peak performance with FieldPulse. Our comprehensive business management app helps trade professionals hit their targets from the office and on the go.
From storing client information and scheduling jobs to sending estimates and receiving payment, FieldPulse instantly solves that stack of paperwork on your desk. Schedule a free demo and discover how our service saves you time and cash today.
