Electrical Proposal Template
The short answer
Write an electrical proposal around a fixed price for the panel or service work, typically $1,500–$4,000 for a 200A panel swap, with each added circuit priced as its own line and a deposit that covers the panel, breakers and wire you have to order. State the service size, panel make and space count, and whether the meter socket and service entrance cable are part of the job. Name who requests the utility disconnect and that the utility sets its own schedule. List the devices and fixtures by room, and say who supplies each fixture. Code problems you find in existing wiring, like missing grounds or double-tapped breakers, should be handled by a written change order, and the proposal should say so before the walls are open. Surge protection, an EV charger circuit and a generator inlet work well as optional lines the customer checks off. Set the balance due when the work passes inspection or at completion.
A electrical proposal is a priced scope of work with a signature line. Start from this template, or let the AI draft one from a plain-English description of the job, mark the add-ons optional, and send a link the customer accepts on their phone. The invoice, and the deposit invoice if you set one, are created the moment they accept.
What belongs in a electrical proposal
Electrical proposals are about the panel first and the rooms second. State the service size, the panel make, breaker count, and whether the utility needs to disconnect. List circuits by room and purpose so the customer can add or drop them, which is exactly what optional items are for: EV charger circuit, generator inlet, surge protection. Permits and inspections are required almost everywhere, so put them on their own line, and say who schedules the inspection.
What a electrical proposal should spell out
Most disputes on electrical jobs trace back to something the proposal left vague. Write each of these down before the customer signs.
| Part of the proposal | What to spell out |
|---|---|
| Service and panel | Service size in amps, panel make and number of spaces, and whether the meter socket and service entrance cable are replaced. |
| Circuit schedule | Each new circuit by room, amperage and wire gauge, and the appliance or device it will serve. |
| Devices and fixtures | Count and type of outlets, switches and fixtures, where GFCI or AFCI protection applies, and who supplies each fixture. |
| Wall access | Where walls or ceilings are opened or wire is fished, and whether drywall patching and paint are included or excluded. |
| Utility coordination | Who requests the disconnect and reconnect, the expected outage window, and that utility scheduling delays sit outside your price. |
| Existing wiring defects | That problems found in existing wiring, such as missing grounds or double taps, are priced as written change orders. |
| Load calculation | Whether a load calculation was done, its result, and how much capacity remains for future circuits like an EV charger. |
| Inspection | Who schedules the inspection, whether someone must be home to let the inspector in, and how failed items are corrected. |
Sample line items
Realistic 2026 US pricing for a typical job. Every number is editable; optional items are the ones the customer decides on.
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200A panel upgrade: new panel, meter socket, grounding, and utility coordination | 1 | $3,200.00 | $3,200.00 |
| Dedicated 20A circuits for kitchen counters (2) | 2 | $380.00 | $760.00 |
| Electrical permit and inspection | 1 | $220.00 | $220.00 |
| Whole-home surge protector at panel optional | 1 | $340.00 | $340.00 |
| Level 2 EV charger circuit, 50A, garage optional | 1 | $890.00 | $890.00 |
| Generator inlet and interlock kit optional | 1 | $1,150.00 | $1,150.00 |
Required items: $4,180.00. Optional items if all are chosen: $2,380.00. Rate ranges for this trade are in what to charge for electrical work.
Terms that belong in a electrical proposal
Promise extended coverage on the bid: a longer warranty on labor is often what wins electrical work against a cheaper number, and it costs nothing on the day you offer it. Set the terms on the proposal and they print with the scope the customer accepts, carry through to the invoice, and start counting down when that invoice is paid. From there warranty tracking keeps the coverage dates, an estimate of the labor and parts you could still owe, and any callback filed against the job.
Need something lighter? Use the electrical estimate template for a quick number, or the electrical invoice template when the work is done.
Jobs change once the work starts. When electrical work grows or shrinks after the customer has signed, send a change order: they approve the added or credited work and the new total on their phone, and the unpaid balance invoice updates itself.
How the proposal gets accepted
Send the link. The customer sees the scope, ticks the optional items they want and watches the total update, types their name, agrees to the terms, and accepts. The acceptance is recorded with the timestamp, IP address, browser, and a hash of the content. The invoice is generated from exactly what they selected, with the deposit invoiced first when you set one.
Frequently asked questions
Should an electrician list every circuit on a proposal?
Yes, by room and amperage. It is how the customer understands what a panel upgrade actually gives them, and it makes optional circuits, like an EV charger, a simple checkbox instead of a follow-up quote.
How do electrical proposals handle permit costs?
As a separate line item at cost, with a sentence saying the electrician pulls the permit and schedules the inspection. Customers accept the fee when they can see it is the city's, not the contractor's.
How much deposit should an electrician ask for on a panel upgrade?
Ask for enough to cover the materials you have to order: the panel, breakers, meter socket and service cable. On panel and service work that is a reasonable 30 to 50 percent of the total. State that the deposit orders materials and holds the install date, so a cancellation after ordering is covered by the terms.
What happens if I find code problems in the existing wiring?
The proposal should say that defects in existing wiring are not part of the quoted price and will be shown to the customer and priced in writing before you fix them. Photograph what you find. Missing grounds, double-tapped breakers and shared neutrals are common finds on older homes, and a signed change order keeps each one from turning into a dispute.
Should the EV charger itself be on the proposal or just the circuit?
Be explicit either way. If you supply the charger, list the brand, model and amperage and include it in your warranty. If the customer buys it, price only the circuit and installation, and state that the charger's own warranty is with the manufacturer. Also note the breaker size so the customer does not buy a charger the circuit cannot support.
Can customers accept this proposal online?
Yes. Send the link, and the customer ticks the optional items they want, types their name, and accepts on any device. The acceptance is recorded with the time, IP address, and a hash of the content, and a signed PDF is produced. See how e-signature works on Numulo.
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