Compare electrician quotes

Licence, registration and insurance

Quote shows a current NSW electrical contractor licence number, not only a first name and mobile number.
The licence name matches the business name, ABN or trading entity on the quote.
For metering, service fuse, service mains or disconnection work, the quote states the Level 2 ASP category required.
Public liability insurance is current and the certificate name matches the quoting business.

Scope and price

The quote lists each item: circuits, outlets, lights, switchboard work, testing and certification.
Materials are described clearly enough to compare, for example RCBOs, weatherproof outlets, charger model or downlight type.
The quote states whether GST is included and whether the price is fixed or an estimate.
Access assumptions are written down: roof space, wall chasing, slab, apartment access or strata restrictions.
Exclusions are written down, including patching, painting, cabinetry, trenching, asbestos removal and network charges.

Payment and timing

Deposit is no more than 10 percent of the contract price for NSW residential building work.
Progress payments match clear milestones, not vague upfront demands.
The quote says how long power will be off and whether occupants need to be home.
Variations require your approval before extra paid work starts.

Compliance documents

Quote states that testing and a Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work are included.
Switchboard labels, circuit schedule and old fuse removal are included where relevant.
The electrician will explain any defect notices or mandatory upgrades before proceeding.
You will receive an invoice and certificate before final payment is treated as complete.

Red flags - walk away if you see these

No licence number, no ABN, or the licence does not match the quoting business.
Cash-only price with no invoice, GST treatment or compliance certificate.
A deposit request above 10 percent for residential work.
The quote says safety switches are optional when the work requires circuit protection.
The electrician asks you to buy critical safety gear yourself to keep the quote low.
They cannot explain what happens if hidden faults, asbestos board backing or old wiring is found.

What a compliant written quote should state

A good quote reads like a set of instructions for the job. It should name the property, the customer, the contractor, the licence number, the ABN, the date, the scope, the assumptions, the price, GST, deposit and payment terms. For electrical work in NSW, it should also say that the work will be tested and certified with a Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work.

For a switchboard upgrade, the quote should say whether it includes RCBOs or separate RCDs and breakers, main switch, labels, old fuse removal, asbestos panel handling if suspected, metering coordination and any Level 2 ASP work. For an EV charger installation, it should state charger model, circuit size, load management, RCD type, cable route and whether the switchboard has enough capacity. For lighting and power, it should count each fitting, point and switch so the final invoice does not become a guessing match.

The quote does not need to be long, but it does need to be specific. "Install downlights, $900" is weak. "Supply and install 8 IC-rated LED downlights in lounge and hallway, reuse existing switch where compliant, patching excluded, CCEW included, $1,240 including GST" is a quote you can compare.

Common exclusions that become variations

The biggest quote disputes come from exclusions that were never discussed. Patching and painting are the common ones. Electricians can cut access holes neatly, but plaster repair is a separate trade unless the quote says otherwise. Cabinetry removal, tile drilling, roof access panels and moving furniture can also be excluded.

Older Illawarra homes can add another layer. In Bulli, Corrimal, Thirroul and parts of Wollongong, many houses have additions from different decades. One room may have modern TPS wiring while another has older cable or hidden junctions. If testing finds an unsafe circuit, a licensed electrician should stop, explain the fault and price the repair before continuing. That is not a trick, it is how the work stays legal and insurable.

Network costs are different again. If the job touches the service fuse, point of attachment, private pole, consumer mains or metering, an ordinary electrician may not be enough. A Level 2 Accredited Service Provider is required for certain network-side tasks. If this is likely, it should be allowed for on the quote rather than appearing as a surprise after the switchboard is open.

How to check licence, ASP status and deposit terms

Ask for the contractor licence number before booking. In NSW, electrical wiring work requires an electrical licence or certificate regardless of the cost or whether the work is residential, commercial or industrial. For homeowners, the practical check is simple: the quote should show the licence, the name should match the business, and the licence class should suit electrical work.

For service work, check whether the job needs Level 2 ASP capability. NSW describes Level 2 ASP work as connection services between the distribution network and the point of connection, including energising new or altered connections and work on some customer-owned network devices at the main switchboard. That matters for mains upgrades, defect rectification and some meter or disconnect-reconnect jobs.

Deposits are another fast filter. NSW guidance states the deposit must not exceed 10 percent of the contract price. A deposit can be reasonable when a large switchboard, charger or materials order is involved, but a demand for half the price upfront should make you pause. For general price expectations, compare your quote with our pricing page, then use the electrician hiring checklist to pressure-test the paperwork.

One honest constraint: if your job is a small like-for-like replacement, you may not need 3 site visits and a thick contract. You still need a licensed electrician and a certificate, but a clear written price by photo can be enough for a simple replacement. Save the comparison process for jobs where hidden scope can move the total by hundreds or thousands.

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Send the existing quote or describe the job and we will reply within 1 business day with a clear scope and price path.

Quote comparison questions

How many electrician quotes should I compare?

For a small job under $500, 1 clear written quote from a licensed local electrician is usually enough if the scope is simple. For switchboards, EV chargers, rewires or work over $1,000, compare 2 or 3 written quotes. The useful comparison is not the cheapest total, it is the same scope priced honestly.

What deposit is allowed in NSW?

NSW Government guidance says the deposit for residential building work must not exceed 10 percent of the contract price. A small materials deposit can be normal on a $2,000-$6,000 electrical job, but full payment before work starts is not normal. Progress payments should match work actually completed or materials clearly ordered for your job.

What paperwork should I receive after electrical work?

In NSW, electrical wiring work should be tested and covered by a Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work. The certificate confirms the work complies with the Gas and Electricity (Consumer Safety) Act 2017, the Gas and Electricity (Consumer Safety) Regulation 2018 and relevant Australian Standards. Keep it with the invoice for insurance and sale records.

Why are two quotes for the same job $1,000 apart?

The cheaper quote may be excluding switchboard upgrades, patching, network fees, RCD protection, difficult cable runs or after-hours work. It may also be pricing a different material grade. Ask each electrician to list inclusions and exclusions line by line before assuming a $1,000 difference is real saving.

How do I check an electrician licence in NSW?

Ask for the contractor licence number, legal trading name and the licence class. Check it through the NSW Government licence register before accepting the quote. For service mains, metering, disconnection or reconnection work, also check the business is an authorised Level 2 Accredited Service Provider for the required network work.

What should make me reject an electrician quote?

Reject a quote if there is no licence number, no ABN, no GST treatment, no certificate commitment or a demand for more than a 10 percent deposit. Also walk away if the quote suggests skipping safety switches, using indoor gear outside, or doing fixed wiring as cash work with no paperwork. Those shortcuts can cost thousands at insurance claim or sale time.

A Wollongong electrical quote should prove licence, scope and certification