Electrical contractors wire, repair, and upgrade electrical systems in homes, businesses, and job sites. Invoices usually cover labor, materials, permit fees, and trip charges for service calls, panel upgrades, new circuits, lighting installs, and larger remodel or new-construction work. Solo electricians and small shops bill both homeowners and general contractors, so invoices often need to satisfy a client's accounting department as well as a homeowner.
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Most residential service work is billed either hourly or by flat rate. Hourly billing is common for troubleshooting and small repairs, often with a minimum charge or trip fee that covers the first half hour to one hour. Flat-rate pricing from a price book is common for repeatable jobs such as installing a ceiling fan, replacing a GFCI outlet, or swapping a 200-amp panel. Remodel and new-construction work is usually bid as a fixed price based on a scope, fixtures, and a number of circuits or devices, sometimes priced per outlet or per fixture. Materials are billed at cost plus a markup, typically 15 to 40 percent depending on the item and local market. Permits and inspection fees are passed through or built into the price. Commercial and subcontract work often uses progress billing tied to rough-in, trim-out, and final inspection milestones. Overtime, after-hours, and emergency call rates are usually 1.5x to 2x the standard rate.
| Service | Priced | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Journeyman or master electrician service work | per hour | $75-150 |
| Service call / trip charge with diagnostic | per visit | $75-200 |
| Replace standard outlet or switch | per device | $100-200 |
| Install new 15/20-amp circuit | per circuit | $250-800 |
| Ceiling fan or light fixture installation | per fixture | $100-350 |
| Panel upgrade to 200-amp service | flat fee | $2,000-4,500 |
| EV charger (Level 2) installation | flat fee | $600-2,000 |
| Emergency or after-hours call | per hour | $125-300 |
Typical US ranges. Rates vary by region, experience, and job size.
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remove old 100-amp panel and install new 200-amp main breaker panel, including permit coordination | 1 flat fee | $2,800.00 | $2,800.00 |
| Electrical permit and utility disconnect/reconnect fee | 1 each | $225.00 | $225.00 |
| Whole-house surge protector, Type 2 | 1 each | $275.00 | $275.00 |
| Add dedicated 20-amp circuit for kitchen microwave (labor and materials) | 1 circuit | $375.00 | $375.00 |
| Replace 4 standard outlets with tamper-resistant outlets | 4 each | $65.00 | $260.00 |
| Additional labor, relocating service mast bracket | 2 hours | $110.00 | $220.00 |
| Total | $4,155.00 | ||
Notes: Work passed city inspection on the date listed. Payment due within 15 days of invoice date. A 1.5% monthly late fee applies to unpaid balances. One-year workmanship warranty on all labor; manufacturer warranties apply to equipment.
Many states and cities require the license number on contracts and invoices, and clients and insurers often ask for it.
Identifies exactly which circuits, panels, or fixtures were touched, which helps with warranty and future service calls.
Shows the work was permitted and passed inspection, which matters for home sales and insurance claims.
Wire, breakers, boxes, and fixtures add up quickly, and clients dispute lump-sum material charges more often than itemized ones.
Makes the hourly math visible and supports premium rates for emergency or off-hours work.
Separates the fee for showing up and diagnosing from the repair cost so clients understand it applies even if no repair is done.
General contractors and commercial clients usually will not pay without a PO or reference to an approved change order.
Small service calls are typically due on completion, with payment by card, check, or digital payment taken on site. Larger residential jobs commonly require a deposit of 10 to 50 percent, often to cover permits and material purchases, with the balance due at final inspection. Commercial and subcontract work is usually net 15 to net 30, with progress billing at rough-in, trim-out, and final. Late fees of 1 to 1.5 percent per month are common if written in the contract or estimate. Retainage of 5 to 10 percent is common on commercial jobs, so track when it comes due. Check your state's rules on deposit limits and lien notice deadlines.
Driving to a site, diagnosing, and making a safe call can take an hour even if the fix is small. A posted service call fee, applied toward the repair if the client approves, keeps small jobs worth the trip.
Supply house runs, small parts, and your time to source them are real costs. Apply a standard markup and itemize larger items so the invoice matches the estimate.
Hidden conditions like knob-and-tube wiring, undersized conductors, or a damaged service mast are common. Get a signed change order, then reference it on the invoice.
On remodels and new construction, bill at rough-in, trim-out, and final instead of waiting for the end. This keeps cash flow steady and limits what you carry for materials.
Photos of work before drywall and a copy of the inspection sign-off help resolve disputes and support your invoice if a client questions the charges.
Use flat rate for repeatable jobs where you know the time, such as a panel swap or EV charger, since clients prefer a known price. Use hourly for troubleshooting and open-ended work where the cause is unknown. Many electricians use both.
Yes. Permit fees are usually passed through at cost or included in the price, and many electricians add a small charge for the time spent pulling the permit and meeting the inspector. List it as a separate line so the client can see it.
Typical markup is 15 to 40 percent, with lower percentages on expensive items like panels and higher percentages on small parts. Local competition and your overhead will guide where you land.
Send a reminder with the invoice and contract terms, then a written demand. Many states allow mechanics liens on the property for unpaid electrical work, but notice deadlines are strict and vary, so check your state's rules or ask an attorney soon after nonpayment.
It depends on the state. In many states, labor on real property improvements is not taxed while materials may be, and some states treat things differently for repairs versus new installs. Check with your state's tax agency or an accountant.
Send a Electrical Contractor estimate for approval, then turn it into an invoice when the work is done.
Electrical Contractor estimate template