Direct answer
Price electrician and helper hours separately, then add materials, permits, equipment and warranty reserve; technical design remains outside the model.
| Figure | Source |
|---|---|
| Numbers shown on this page | Fictional worked example; not a market benchmark |
| Formula and definitions | Serman Tools method stated on this page |
| Your quote or operating result | Your verified business inputs |
Model the labor mix
Electrician and helper hours can carry different true hourly costs. Estimate each role separately, then add person-hours for the capacity check. One blended rate can hide a quote that assumes the wrong crew composition.
Include paid setup, testing and documentation time when they are part of the job scope.
Keep permits and access outside materials
Materials, permit and inspection fees, and access equipment behave differently. Separate lines make changes traceable and prevent a lift or inspection fee from disappearing in a broad material allowance.
The economic model does not size conductors, calculate load or determine code compliance. Those requirements remain part of the qualified technical workflow.
Fictional worked example
Assume 12 electrician-hours at $48, eight helper-hours at $30, $650 of materials, $125 of permit and inspection fees, $85 of equipment, a 2% material warranty reserve and $100 of overhead.
Base cost is $1,793.20. A 5% contingency produces true cost of $1,882.86. At a 30% target margin, the planning price is $2,689.80.
Use a service-call floor carefully
A minimum service charge may be needed to cover dispatch, diagnosis and travel, but it should be built from actual cost and scope. Do not use a flat minimum as proof that a larger repair is profitable.
For diagnostic work credited toward repair, show the credit explicitly so revenue and labor are not counted inconsistently.
Track warranty cost by job type
A single reserve percentage may be a starting point. Compare actual return labor and material by service category, then update future assumptions without hiding the historical variance.
Frequently asked questions
Can this tool check electrical code?
No. It models job economics only and does not address design, safety, permitting requirements or code compliance.
Should permit fees receive margin?
The model applies one margin to total entered cost. A business may choose a different disclosed treatment, but it should remain consistent and explicit.
How do I price electrician and helper time?
Estimate each role's person-hours and true hourly cost separately, then combine them in total job cost.
Where does truck stock loss go?
Use a documented material or overhead allowance and avoid counting it in both.
RUN THE NUMBERS
Use your own costs before you quote.
Start with the free Electrical Contractor Job Pricing Calculator. The Home Service Pricing Workbook keeps the related workflow in a downloadable workbook.
Planning and estimation only. No price, rate, revenue, profit or business outcome is guaranteed.