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Electrical cost calculator: price rough-in and finish

Electrical bids are often priced per device or per drop, but the profit depends on the hours between rough-in, inspection and finish. Enter your crew and materials and see what each fixture needs to bring in.

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What goes into the price

Seven costs every electrical bid has to cover

Rough-in and finish hoursCount rough-in, the trip back after inspection and finish, plus panel work and service connection.
Payroll costsEmployer CPP and EI plus 4% vacation pay, roughly 12% on top of wages.
WCBThe 2026 Alberta industry rate for electric wiring is $1.83 per $100 of payroll; use your own rate from your premium notice.
Wire, boxes and devicesWire, boxes, panel, breakers, devices and fixtures you supply.
Permits and equipmentLifts, tools and the trips between visits.
Your share of overheadVan, insurance, phone and office spread over the jobs you finish each month.
Waiting to get paidNew-construction electrical usually has a holdback. Turn it off for homeowners who pay in full.
Worked example

Example: a new house, 85 fixtures and devices, supply and install

2 electricians × 8 days × 8 hours = 128 crew hours at $42/hour. Overhead of $9,000 a month over 5 jobs. Target margin 15%.

Crew labour with CPP, EI, vacation pay and WCB$6,120
Labour contingency (10%)$612
Materials$4,800
Equipment, fuel and disposal$300
Share of overhead$1,800
Cost of waiting to be paid$92
Break-even price$13,724
Price for a 15% margin$16,145
Target price per fixture$189.94

These are example numbers to show how the math works, not market prices. Your wages, rates and overhead will be different, so put in your own. WCB uses the 2026 Alberta industry rate for Electric Wiring (42124).

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Questions

Electrical pricing questions

How do I price electrical work per fixture?

Add up labour with payroll costs and WCB, materials and your overhead share, add your margin, then divide by the number of fixtures and devices.

Should permits be in the price?

If you pull the permit, add the fee as a cost so it is covered in your price.

Can I bill rough-in and finish separately?

Yes. The invoice step supports deposits and progress billing, so you can bill at rough-in and again at finish.

Is it free?

The job check is free. Proposals, invoices and your logo come with Pro, and new accounts get a 14-day Pro trial with no card needed.

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Check your next electrical job before you bid it.

It takes about two minutes. Then turn it into a proposal with your logo and GST number.

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