Getting a quote for electrical work can seem as challenging as figuring out a language you don’t know. All the complicated language, fees and regulations can quickly make you feel overburdened. If you are doing electrical work in New Zealand, it’s important to understand your quote to keep everything safe and jointly compliant. With this guide, you can understand what is listed, learn the common terms, recognise included versus extra features and know the basic rules for safety and compliance, so you can comfortably manage any electrical work.

What is Electrical Quoting?

At the core, electrical quoting involves a licensed electrician assessing your needs, listing the jobs to be completed, reporting on the equipment needed and breaking down how much they will charge. Consider the schematic as the guiding path for your electrical work, whether you’re fixing a small problem, renovating or working on a new structure.

An important difference between workers in the industry is the meaning of an “estimate” versus a “quote.”

  • When you receive an estimate, it’s a quick and rough idea of the total amount, usually given even before the complete site inspection. It helps you get an idea, but the actual numbers may change.
  • In a quote, you get a set price for a particular set of tasks. After accepting a quote, the electrician must complete the job at the agreed price for work that goes as planned, but complications need to be discussed, and a new quote accepted.

Breaking Down Typical Line Items: What You’re Paying For

A clear, itemised quote is your best friend. Here’s a breakdown of common elements you’ll see:

  • Wiring/Cabling: This covers the actual electrical cables that run throughout your property. Costs vary significantly based on the type of cable (e.g., TPS, SWA), its size (gauge), and the length required. Factors like the number of circuits, future-proofing for increased power demands (e.g., electric vehicle charging), and whether the wiring is surface-mounted or concealed within walls will impact this cost.
  • Fittings/Fixtures: This category includes everything that connects to the wiring to provide power or light. Expect to see:
    • Power Points/Outlets: The standard wall sockets you plug appliances into.
    • Light Fittings: This includes options from simple batten holders to hidden downlights, track lights or lovely looking fixtures. What coffee you buy and how much of it you purchase will affect the total you pay.
    • Switches: For controlling different electricity circuits, you need switches. You’ll discover that smart switches or dimmers are usually more expensive than regular switches.
    • Smoke Alarms: It is important to have a smoke alarm since it is usually constructed as a hardwired alarm.
    • Exhaust Fans: For bathrooms, kitchens and all places that require air circulation, an exhaust fan is necessary.
  • Switchboards (Consumer Units): This is the heart of your electrical system, housing circuit breakers and RCDs.
    • Supply and Installation: The cost of the new switchboard itself and the labour to install it.
    • Circuit Breakers: Individual protective devices for each circuit.
    • Surge Protection Devices (SPDs): Recommended for protecting sensitive electronics from power surges.
  • Safety Devices: Beyond standard circuit breakers, quotes should detail other critical safety components:
    • Residual Current Devices (RCDs): These are vital for protecting against electric shock and are often integrated into modern switchboards. We’ll delve deeper into RCDs shortly.
    • Earthing System: Ensures electrical faults are safely diverted to the earth.
  • Testing & Certification: A crucial, non-negotiable part of any electrical work in NZ. This covers the electrician’s time to test the installed work and issue the required compliance certificates.
  • Labour: This is the electrician’s hourly rate and the estimated time to complete the work. It’s often broken down by specific tasks.
  • Materials Markup: Electricians typically add a small markup to the cost of materials. This covers their sourcing, handling, and warranty responsibilities.
  • Travel/Call-out Fees: For jobs outside of normal service areas or urgent callouts.

Understanding Common Jargon: Demystifying Electrical Talk

Don’t be afraid to ask your electrician to clarify any terms you don’t understand, but here’s a cheat sheet for common NZ electrical jargon:

  • RCDs (Residual Current Devices): Residual Current Devices (RCDs) are often known as safety switches. They notice when current becomes unbalanced, possibly indicating someone is shocked and close down the power quickly. RCDs with a 30mA trip currently cover most of the circuits in NZ, but the law requires 10mA RCDs for spaces where people’s lives are at risk (such as some medical treatment rooms). They prevent electrical shock from entering the building.
  • Switchboard Upgrades: Replacing a compliance-lacking or outdated energy panel with a new panel containing circuit breakers and RCDs is what this means. Some homes built many years ago need upgrades to become safe and to handle the higher power needs of appliances we use today. According to the law, high-risk upgrades may need to be checked by a licensed electrical inspector.
  • Compliance Certificates: In New Zealand, any “prescribed electrical work” (which covers most new installations, alterations, and additions to fixed wiring) requires specific documentation.
    • Certificate of Compliance (CoC): Issued by the licensed electrician who carried out the work. It certifies that the work is electrically safe and complies with New Zealand’s electrical safety standards and codes (primarily AS/NZS 3000, the Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules). You should always receive a CoC for any fixed wiring work. Keep this document safe as a record.
    • Record of Inspection (RoI): For certain “high-risk” prescribed electrical work (e.g., some main switchboard alterations, mains work, solar PV installations), an independent licensed electrical inspector must inspect the work and issue an RoI. Your electrician is responsible for arranging this.
  • AS/NZS 3000 (The Wiring Rules): This is the joint Australian/New Zealand Standard that sets out the requirements for the design, construction, and verification of electrical installations. All work in NZ must comply with this standard.
  • Mains: Refers to the main electrical cable bringing power from the street to your property’s switchboard.
  • Sub-circuits: The individual circuits that run from your switchboard to specific areas or appliances (e.g., lighting circuit, kitchen power circuit).
  • kW (Kilowatt) / kWh (Kilowatt-hour): kW is a measure of power (how much electricity an appliance uses at any given moment). kWh is a measure of energy consumption over time (what you’re typically billed for).
  • Amps (A) / Volts (V): Amps measure the flow of electrical current. Volts measure the electrical pressure. In NZ, standard household voltage is 230V.

What’s Included and What’s Extra: Clarifying the Scope

A transparent quote clearly outlines what is and isn’t covered. Never assume anything!

Typically Included in an Electrical Quotation (but always confirm):

  • Labour for the specified work: The electrician’s time on site.
  • Materials for the specified work: Standard fittings, wiring, circuit breakers as per the quote.
  • Testing and Certification: Issuing the CoC and, if required, arranging the ROI.
  • Basic Clean-up: Removing packaging and general debris from the work area.

Commonly Extra an Electrical Quotation (and often overlooked):

  • Rubbish Removal: While normal trash during a clean-up is free, the demolition rubbish (switchboard, old wiring, plasterboard bits) could be charged extra for discarding. Talk about it at the start, particularly for big projects.
  • Specific Brand Requests: If you want a certain brand of light fitting, switch or anything else, the electrician will charge more if it costs more than what they typically buy. During early planning stages, talk about what’s important to you.
  • Making Good/Patching: Of course, cutting walls and ceilings is a common part of electrical work. The quote usually applies to the electrical work, not to repairs or changes in the plasterboard or paintwork. Typically, this job falls on the homeowner, otherwise, a specialist is needed.
  • Temporary Power: Should power be cut for an extended time, adding temporary power might add to the costs.
  • Access Equipment: Scaffolding, elevated work platforms, or special ladders for high ceilings or difficult-to-reach areas could be an additional charge.
  • Unforeseen Issues: While good electricians will try to anticipate problems, sometimes hidden issues (e.g., existing faulty wiring, asbestos in walls, structural impediments) can arise during a job. A clear quote will outline how such unforeseen issues will be handled, often on a time-and-materials basis, with communication and approval from you before proceeding.
  • After-hours or Weekend Work: Unless specified, quotes are usually for standard working hours. Urgent or out-of-hours work will incur premium rates.

Pro-Tip: Remember to request a quote for the normal set-up and another with premium features if you like how a different option looks or works.

Ensuring Your Quote Includes All Necessary Compliance and Safety Aspects for NZ Standards

This is paramount for your safety and to avoid future issues. Always ensure the electrical quoting explicitly addresses:

  1. Licensed Electrician: Confirm the electrician providing the quote and carrying out the work is currently licensed with the Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB). You can check their registration status on the EWRB website.
  2. Compliance with AS/NZS 3000: The quote should state that all work will comply with the current New Zealand Wiring Rules (AS/NZS 3000).
  3. Certificate of Compliance (CoC): The quote must include the issuance of a CoC upon completion of the “prescribed electrical work.” Ensure you understand when and how you will receive this.
  4. Residual Current Devices (RCDs): For new installations or significant alterations, ensure RCDs are included for all circuits. If it’s an upgrade, confirm existing circuits will be protected by RCDs.
  5. Earthing System: Verify that the earthing system will be checked and upgraded if necessary to meet current standards. A robust earthing system is fundamental for safety.
  6. Smoke Alarm Compliance: For new builds or significant renovations, ensure smoke alarms meet the latest NZ Building Code requirements (e.g., interconnected, photoelectric, 10-year battery or hardwired).
  7. Switchboard Safety and Capacity: If a switchboard upgrade is proposed, ensure it will meet current safety regulations and have sufficient capacity for your present and future electrical needs. Discuss any plans for high-demand appliances (e.g., EV charger, large heat pump) to ensure the upgrade is future-proofed.
  8. Inspection Requirements: For high-risk work (like main switchboard upgrades or solar installations), the quote should explicitly mention the need for an independent electrical inspection and the issuance of a Record of Inspection (RoI).
  9. Warranty/Guarantee: Inquire about the warranty on both the workmanship and the materials supplied. A reputable electrician will stand by their work.
  10. Insurance: Confirm the electrician has appropriate public liability insurance.

Getting the Best “Electrical Quoting” Experience

To ensure a smooth and transparent process:

  • Get Multiple Quotes: Avoid choosing the first one. Make sure to collect three specific quotes from different licensed electricians. As a result, you have a way to check pricing, solutions and the level of skill offered.
  • Be Specific About Your Needs: Describing your needs in detail helps your project. If you explain what will happen at the beginning, it will prevent surprises down the line. Draw a basic sketch when the job you have is bigger.
  • Ask Questions: Always feel free to question any part of the quote you’re not sure about. If you ask, a good electrician will be pleased to clarify the issue.
  • Check References and Reviews: Make sure the electricians you look at have good reviews and ask for their professional references.
  • Understand Payment Terms: Confirm the requirements for all funds to be paid along the project journey.
  • Read the Fine Print: Be sure to check the terms, conditions and restrictions that appear in the quote you get.

Being informed about the terms and essential compliance requirements in your electrical quote will help you decide what to do for your New Zealand property. Making sure safety and peace of mind, pay for professional electrical services.